NC 271: Appeared in 1926 as new primary routing, from NC 27 (Mount Holly Rd) Thrift southeast in a to NC 20 (current US 29) near Charlotte.
In 1931, NC 271 was extended north as new primary routing after a brief NC 27 duplex. It continued from NC 27 (Mount Holly Rd) east of Thrift northwest through Denver and ending at NC 10 Newton.
In 1932, the original NC 271 piece was renumbered as NC 27-A. Today it is NC 27 except east of I-85 it used Tuckaseegee/Thrift Rds down to Morehead St.
In 1934, NC 271 north was truncated to NC 73 Triangle. The route from Triangle to Newton became part of NC 73 (now this is NC 16 and NC 16 Businesses).
In 1940, the rest of NC 271 was renumbered as NC 16. Today, this is Valleydale and Rozzelles Ferry Rds; NC 16 across Mountain Island Lake; Riverbend Hwy; NC 273; NC 16 and NC 16 Business.

NC 271 out to thrift

NC 271 extended to Newton

NC 27-A appears

NC 271 truncated to NC 73

NC 16 replaces NC 271