Nevada State Route 156
Encyclopedia
State Route 156 also known as Lee Canyon Road, is a state highway
in Clark County
, Nevada
. The road is one of two highways connecting U.S. Route 95
(US 95) to the Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest
and Spring Mountains
area northwest of Las Vegas
, and its entire length is designated a Nevada Scenic Byway
.
When first created in the 1930s, the highway followed a slightly different path that formed State Route 52. The SR 52 designation was later realigned and extended west to the California
state line
via Pahrump
, but was discontinuous through the national forest. The route was ultimately split into separate highways in the 1970s.
The road now known as State Route 156 has origins dating to at least 1933. At that time, it was an unimproved county road that ran from State Route 5 (now US 95) at Indian Springs
to the northern border of what was then called the Nevada National Forest
. By 1935, this road had been designated as State Route 52, and apparently extended through the national forest (along what may now be State Route 158
) ending at State Route 39 (now SR 157) east of Charleston Peak.
The routing of SR 52 had been changed by 1937. The highway was moved to the current alignment of Lee Canyon Road, beginning on State Route 5 several miles southeast of Indian Springs and ending in Lee Canyon. Around the same time, the highway designation was extended further west. SR 52 now traveled southwest through the national forest lands, crossing State Route 16 (now SR 160) in Pahrump to end at the California state line (on what is now California State Route 178
) en route to Shoshone
, resulting in approximately 47 miles (75.6 km) of unimproved highway. By 1940, the eastern end of the route between US 95 and the Nevada National Forest had been fully paved. However, a gap now existed between the paved portion of the highway within the national forest and the unimproved road southwest of the western forest boundary. A trail through the Spring Mountains
would connect the two segments of State Route 52 in later years. While improvements were made to the western portion of the route in the 1950s and 1960s, the trail through Clark Canyon was never improved to a full roadway.
On July 1, 1976, Nevada began the process of renumbering all of the state's numbered highways. The Lee Canyon Road portion of SR 52 was redesignated as State Route 156, while the portion between Pahrump and the California state line was renumbered to State Route 372
. The remainder of the route, from Pahrump to the Toiyabe National Forest, was removed from the state highway system. The changes in route numbering were reflected on official state highway maps beginning in 1978.
The Nevada Department of Transportation
designated State Route 156 as a Nevada Scenic Byway in July 1998. The "Mount Charleston/Lee Canyon Road" scenic route encompasses the entire 17.5 miles (28.2 km) of highway.
State highway
State highway, state road or state route can refer to one of three related concepts, two of them related to a state or provincial government in a country that is divided into states or provinces :#A...
in Clark County
Clark County, Nevada
-Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 1,375,765 people, 512,253 households, and 339,693 families residing within the MSA. The racial makeup of the MSA was 71.6% White , 9.1% Black, 5.7% Asian, 0.8% American Indian and 12.8% of other or mixed race. 22.0% were Hispanic of any race...
, Nevada
Nevada
Nevada is a state in the western, mountain west, and southwestern regions of the United States. With an area of and a population of about 2.7 million, it is the 7th-largest and 35th-most populous state. Over two-thirds of Nevada's people live in the Las Vegas metropolitan area, which contains its...
. The road is one of two highways connecting U.S. Route 95
U.S. Route 95 in Nevada
In the U.S. state of Nevada, U.S. Route 95 is a major U.S. highway traversing the state from north to south directly through Las Vegas and providing connections to both Carson City and Reno...
(US 95) to the Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest
Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest
The Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest is the principal U.S. National Forest located in the U.S. state of Nevada. With an area of , it is the largest National Forest of the United States outside of Alaska...
and Spring Mountains
Spring Mountains
The Spring Mountains are a mountain range of southern Nevada in the United States, running generally northwest-southeast along the west side of Las Vegas and down to the border with California...
area northwest of Las Vegas
Las Vegas, Nevada
Las Vegas is the most populous city in the U.S. state of Nevada and is also the county seat of Clark County, Nevada. Las Vegas is an internationally renowned major resort city for gambling, shopping, and fine dining. The city bills itself as The Entertainment Capital of the World, and is famous...
, and its entire length is designated a Nevada Scenic Byway
Nevada Scenic Byways
In 1983, a system of scenic byways was established in the U.S. state of Nevada. Currently there are 19 designated state scenic byways. Some of these overlap the three National Scenic Byways that have been designated in Nevada.-Federally designated scenic byways:...
.
When first created in the 1930s, the highway followed a slightly different path that formed State Route 52. The SR 52 designation was later realigned and extended west to the California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
state line
Border
Borders define geographic boundaries of political entities or legal jurisdictions, such as governments, sovereign states, federated states and other subnational entities. Some borders—such as a state's internal administrative borders, or inter-state borders within the Schengen Area—are open and...
via Pahrump
Pahrump, Nevada
-Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 24,631 people, 10,153 households, and 7,127 families residing in the CDP. The population density was 82.7 people per square mile . There were 11,651 housing units at an average density of 39.1 per square mile...
, but was discontinuous through the national forest. The route was ultimately split into separate highways in the 1970s.
History
Indian Springs, Nevada
Indian Springs is an unincorporated town in Clark County, Nevada, United States. The population was 1,302 at the 2000 census.-History:Indian Springs is named for the artesian spring that provides the area with water...
to the northern border of what was then called the Nevada National Forest
Nevada National Forest
Nevada National Forest was established by the U.S. Forest Service in Nevada on February 10, 1909 with . On July 1, 1932 the entire Toiyabe National Forest was added. On October 1, 1957 the forest was divided between Humboldt National Forest and the reinstated Toiyabe National Forest, and the name...
. By 1935, this road had been designated as State Route 52, and apparently extended through the national forest (along what may now be State Route 158
Nevada State Route 158
State Route 158 , also known as Deer Creek Road, is a state highway in Clark County, Nevada. The route connects Kyle Canyon Road to Lee Canyon Road in the Spring Mountains, in the Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest....
) ending at State Route 39 (now SR 157) east of Charleston Peak.
The routing of SR 52 had been changed by 1937. The highway was moved to the current alignment of Lee Canyon Road, beginning on State Route 5 several miles southeast of Indian Springs and ending in Lee Canyon. Around the same time, the highway designation was extended further west. SR 52 now traveled southwest through the national forest lands, crossing State Route 16 (now SR 160) in Pahrump to end at the California state line (on what is now California State Route 178
California State Route 178
State Route 178 is a route that exists in two constructed segments. The gap in between segments is connected by various local roads and State Route 190 through Death Valley National Park....
) en route to Shoshone
Shoshone, California
Shoshone is a census-designated place in Inyo County, California, United States. Shoshone is located on the Tonopah and Tidewater Railroad east of Epaulet Peak, at an elevation of 1585 feet . The population was 31 at the 2010 census, down from 52 at the 2000 census.The town was founded in 1910...
, resulting in approximately 47 miles (75.6 km) of unimproved highway. By 1940, the eastern end of the route between US 95 and the Nevada National Forest had been fully paved. However, a gap now existed between the paved portion of the highway within the national forest and the unimproved road southwest of the western forest boundary. A trail through the Spring Mountains
Spring Mountains
The Spring Mountains are a mountain range of southern Nevada in the United States, running generally northwest-southeast along the west side of Las Vegas and down to the border with California...
would connect the two segments of State Route 52 in later years. While improvements were made to the western portion of the route in the 1950s and 1960s, the trail through Clark Canyon was never improved to a full roadway.
On July 1, 1976, Nevada began the process of renumbering all of the state's numbered highways. The Lee Canyon Road portion of SR 52 was redesignated as State Route 156, while the portion between Pahrump and the California state line was renumbered to State Route 372
Nevada State Route 372
State Route 372 is a short state highway in Nye County, Nevada, USA. The route connects the town of Pahrump to the southeast side of Death Valley National Park via California State Route 178...
. The remainder of the route, from Pahrump to the Toiyabe National Forest, was removed from the state highway system. The changes in route numbering were reflected on official state highway maps beginning in 1978.
The Nevada Department of Transportation
Nevada Department of Transportation
The Nevada Department of Transportation is a government agency in the U.S. state of Nevada. NDOT is responsible for maintaining and improving Nevada's highway system, which includes U.S. highways and Interstate highways within the state's boundaries. The department is notable for its...
designated State Route 156 as a Nevada Scenic Byway in July 1998. The "Mount Charleston/Lee Canyon Road" scenic route encompasses the entire 17.5 miles (28.2 km) of highway.