U.S. Route 140

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U.S. Route 140

Formed:

1926

Decomd.:

1980

United States Numbered Highways

U.S. Route 140 was a U.S. highway connecting Baltimore, Maryland to Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. Though it had no historical significance in the battles fought at Gettysburg, it became important as the route to take to view the historic battlefields and cemetery there.

Running southeast to northwest, the highway went through the towns of Pikesville, Owings Mills, Reisterstown, Westminster, and Littlestown, and ended at US 15 in Gettysburg.

US 140 was first signed with the inception of the U.S. Highway numbering system in 1926 and decommissioned in 1980. From Baltimore to Westminster, the road was then redesignated Maryland Route 140 (which continues northwestward from Westminster to meet US 15 in Emmitsburg). From Westminster northwest into Pennsylvania and on to Gettysburg, the road was redesignated Maryland Route 97 and Pennsylvania Route 97 respectively.

Though its southeastern fifth is shunted by the I-795 spur, it is still the most direct route from Baltimore to the historical sites of Gettysburg.