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Expedition to Highway 361 (old U.S. 61)
Back in the spring of 2005, I went on a little impromptu expedition through east central Minnesota to test my new digital camera on some old highways. On the way back into the cities, I took old US 61 instead of I-35. US 61 served as the primary route between Duluth and the Twin Cities before the construction of I-35 in the sixties and seventies. Nearly all of old US 61 still exists as various county roads that run parallel to the interstate. One small section of old US 61 is still part of the trunk highway system: State Highway 361.
Highway 361 first shows up on official highway maps in 1970, after I-35 was completed through Pine and Chisago Counties. Steve Reiner speculates that the highway was maintained because I-35 did not pass through Pine City or Rush City corporate limits as stipulated in the legal description of Constitutional Route 1 (the legal basis of old US 61). Highway 361 used to run between Pine City and Rush City, but now begins (according to current maps) at the intersection with State Highway 70 on the north, and at I-35 in Rush City on the south as before.
The following pictures start with old US 61's junction with I-35 just south of Hinckley.
Looking north on the old alignment of US 61, interrupted by the grade of Interstate 35 just south of Hinckley. This portion of the old road now appears to be a dead end.
Looking south at old US 61, now Pine County Road 61, just south of Interstate 35. The road has been realigned here to cross the interstate before continuing north to Hinckley.
Old US 61 in Pine City, still showing signage for State Highway 361, even though it has been turned back at this point. Note the motel and Dairy Queen on the left. The road south of the intersection was not marked as Highway 361.
An unexpected surprise on my expedition. Just north of the junction with Highway 70 (note sign on the left), there appears to be an old road that continues straight south instead of curving to the left here (note the telephone poles)....
....and further confirmation: An old highway bridge, now closed to traffic. Aerial photographs and construction records confirm that this bridge was on old US 61 (originally Constitutional Route 1 from 1921 to 1934). I believe that this is bridge # 4142, built around 1920. The old alignment of US 61 was paved here in 1925 (the road wasn't US 61 until 1926). This bridge was bypassed in 1953 when US 61 was realigned around the junction with Highway 70.
Highway 361 in Rush City, looking south at 4th Street. At this point, Highway 361 turns off of old US 61 to connect to Interstate 35. Note the old style Interstate sign with "Minnesota" included above the route number.
