| N.C.
268 92 miles |
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| The Road: |
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Begins at US 321 Happy Valley (Caldwell County) and ends at NC 89 near Moores Springs (Stokes County).
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Towns and Attractions: |
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Caldwell Co: None
Wilkes Co: Ferguson, W Kerr Scott Reservoir, Wilkesboro, North Wilkesboro, West Elkin
Surry Co: Elkin, Pilot Mtn
Stokes Co: None
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History: |
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NC 268 is an original state highway. It ran from NC 26 (now US 21 Bus) Elkin east to NC 80 (now US 601) Fairview. The 1922 Auto Trails map incorrectly shows it running from State Road to Dobson and Official maps in the 20s show it ending very close to Dobson but there has never been a road that does this.
In 1930, NC 268 was extended east as new routing to end at US 121/NC 66 (now just Main St) Pilot Mountain.
NC 268, slightly misrepresented
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NC 268 extended to Pilot Mtn
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In 1931, NC 268 was extended west from Elkin as new routing to end at NC 18 North Wilkesboro.
In 1933, NC 268 was extended with NC 18 to Wilkesboro, then as new routing southwest to US 321/NC 17 (now Yadkin River Rd) Patterson.
NC 268 extended to N. Wilkesboro
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NC 268 extended to US 321
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Between 1939-44, NC 268 was rerouted in Elkin to its current US 21 duplex with now-268 Business. Previously, NC 268 crossed US 21 on Main St and continued northwest.
NC 268 crosses US 21
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NC 268 follows US 21
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In 1938, NC 268 was rerouted to run directly from Roaring Fork to Rhonda. Before, it looped around using Bethany Ford Rd and Austin Rd.
NC 268 looping around
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NC 268 direct route
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In 1940, NC 268 was rerouted to meet NC 18 further south. This left behind today's NC 268-A.
In 1938, NC 268 was rerouted to run directly from Roaring Fork to Rhonda. Before, it looped around using Bethany Ford Rd and Austin Rd.
NC 268 original NC 18 approach
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NC 268 redirected at NC 18
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In 1941, NC 268 was extended west to the new location of US 321, (replacing a piece of US 321), then duplexed with US 321 south to NC 90 near Valmead.
In 1952, NC 268 west was truncated to its current US 321 endpoint, leaving behind today's SR 1352 Valway Rd.
NC 268 original west end
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NC 268 extended to NC 90
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NC 268 truncated to Happy Valley
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In 1953, NC 268 was extended east with US 52-A through Pilot Mountain, then east as new routing to end at NC 66.
In 1962, NC 268 was rerouted to the south of the W Kerr Scott Reservoir, leaving behind a small Old NC 268 (SR 1145) and a couple miles became underwater.
In 2004, NC 268 was extended east to NC 89 as an upgrade to SR 1504.
NC 268 extended to NC 66
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NC 268 extended to NC 89
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Also in 2004, NC 268 was put on a northern bypass around Elkin which was part new construction and partly an upgrade to SR 1138. This left behind NC 268 Business.
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NC 268 bypasses Elkin
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By 1982 it appears NC 18-268 through N. Wilkesboro formed a "square", using A St, 6th St, D St, and 11th St.
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NC 268 splits up in Wilkesboro
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Comment: |
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NC 268 follows the Yadkin River for about 3/4 of its run.
The section between Elkin and US 601 is especially gnarly.
This is one of the longer NC routes Mapmikey has driven zero miles on.
Lou Corsaro reports: NC 268 is very curvy for piedmont standards from the northern terminus to US 601. It is very similar to NC 66 in northern Stokes Co.
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