Arkansas Highway 74

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For the former highways in Northwest Arkansas, see Arkansas Highway 74 (1926–1951) and Arkansas Highway 74 (1965–1971).

Highway 74

AR 74 highlighted in red
Route information
Maintained by ArDOT
Location
CountryUnited States
StateArkansas
Highway system
← AR 73→ AR 75

Highway 74 (AR 74) is a series of state highways of 103.73 miles (166.94 km) total in Northwest and north central Arkansas and is divided into seven separate sections.

Devil's Den State Park to Winslow

Highway 74

LocationWashington County, Arkansas
Length12.312 mi[1] (19.814 km)
Existedc. 1939[2]–present

Highway 74 (AR 74) is an east–west state highway in Washington County, Arkansas.

Route description
AR 74 in Winslow

The AR 74 designation begins in Devil's Den State Park in southern Washington County, Arkansas in the Ozark Mountains. The roadway transitions from AR 170 (Devil's Den Road) east of the park visitor center. AR 74 winds uphill along a series of five switchback curves before exiting the park northbound. It continues through a rural part of Washington County, passing through the unincorporated community of Blackburn before curving east to a junction with Interstate 49 (I-49, Boston Mountains Scenic Loop) at exit 45. Continuing east, AR 74 winds east through rural lands before entering the small town of Winslow. The highway becomes Winslow Boulevard and curves downtown, crossing the Arkansas and Missouri Railroad tracks and passing through the Winslow Commercial Historic District, which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP).[3][4] Continuing east, AR 74 meets U.S. Route 71 (US 71, Boston Mountains Scenic Loop), where the designation terminates.[5]

The ArDOT maintains AR 74 like all other parts of the state highway system. As a part of these responsibilities, the department tracks the volume of traffic using its roads in surveys using a metric called average annual daily traffic (AADT). ArDOT estimates the traffic level for a segment of roadway for any average day of the year in these surveys. As of 2023, AADT estimated a peak of 850 vehicles per day (VPD) east of I-49, dropping to 190 VPD near the state park entrance.[6] This segment of AR 74 is not listed as part of the National Highway System,[7] a network of roads important to the nation's economy, defense, and mobility.[8]

History

The roadway between Winslow and Devil's Den State Park was added to the state highway system between 1936 and 1937 when AR 170 was created between West Fork and Winslow.[9][10] Beginning in 1939, the segment between the park and Winslow was renumbered AR 74, with the remainder remaining AR 170.[2]

Major intersections

The entire route is in Washington County.

Locationmi[1]kmDestinationsNotes
Devil's Den State Park0.0000.000Roadway becomes AR 170 (Devil's Den Road) – West ForkWestern terminus
Winslow6.25110.060 I-49 (Boston Mountains Scenic Loop) – Fort Smith, FayettevilleInterchange, exit 45
12.31219.814 US 71 (Boston Mountains Scenic Loop) – Mountainburg, AlmaEastern terminus
1.000 mi = 1.609 km; 1.000 km = 0.621 mi
  •       Route transition

Brentwood

Highway 74

LocationWashington County, Arkansas
Length2.441 mi[1] (3.928 km)
ExistedOctober 14, 1981[11]–present

Highway 74 (AR 74) is an east–west state highway in Washington County, Arkansas.

Route description

A second segment begins at US 71 (Boston Mountains Scenic Loop) at the unincorporated community of Brentwood just north of Winslow and runs east approximately two miles (3.2 km) before becoming Washington County Road 43 (CR 43). This segment had an AADT of 740 VPD in 2023,[6] and is not listed on the NHS.[7]

History

The designation was created on October 14, 1981 along a county road by the Arkansas State Highway Commission at the request of the Washington County Judge in exchange for deletion of a segment of AR 156 in Washington County.[11]

Major intersections

The entire route is in Washington County.

Locationmi[1]kmDestinationsNotes
Brentwood0.0000.000 US 71 (Boston Mountains Scenic Loop) – Fayetteville, AlmaWestern terminus
Wyola2.4413.928State maintenance ends at File:CR 4115 jct.svg CR 4115 (Ramey Road), roadway continues as CR 43 (Whitehouse Road)Eastern terminus
1.000 mi = 1.609 km; 1.000 km = 0.621 mi
  •       Route transition

Elkins to Huntsville

Highway 74

LocationElkins–Huntsville
Length19.165 mi[1][12] (30.843 km)
ExistedMarch 19, 1951[13]–present

Highway 74 (AR 74) is an east–west state highway in Northwest Arkansas. AR 74 is part of the Arkansas Heritage Trails System, listed as part of the Arkansas Trail of Tears (Benge Route of Cherokee removal).[14]

Route description

The third segment of AR 74 begins at a junction with AR 16 (Center Street) in the small town of Elkins in Washington County.[15] The highway crosses over the White River and exits Elkins eastbound, passing the historic Maguire-Williams House[16] and winding through a rural area. AR 74 serves the unincorporated community of Tuttle, passes the historic Tom Smith House,[17] and begins to parallel Richland Creek into Madison County.[5]

Continuing east, AR 74 has junctions with AR 295 at Wesley, AR 303, and another segment of AR 295 at Drakes Creek. After passing through a rural part of Madison County, AR 74 enters the small town of Huntsville, the county seat of Madison County. Running east as Main Street, the highway serves as the northern terminus of AR 980 (Airport Road) before intersecting U.S. Route 412 Business (US 412B, Gaskill Street/Main Street), where it terminates.[18][19]

This segment had a peak AADT of 4,300 VPD near Elkins in 2023, dropping to 2,300 VPD near the county line, before rising to 2,200 VPD in Huntsville.[6] It is not listed on the NHS.[7]

History

The route was created by the Arkansas General Assembly on March 19, 1951. Act 305 deleted the original segment of AR 74 and created a new AR 74 designation along county roads between Elkins and Huntsville as well as an extension of AR 112.[13]

Major intersections
CountyLocationmi[1][12][20]kmDestinationsNotes
WashingtonElkins0.0000.000 AR 16 (Center Street) – Fayetteville, BrashearsWestern terminus
0.21–
0.47		0.34–
0.76		Bridge over White River
MadisonWesley6.4710.41
 AR 295 north – Cross Roads		Southern terminus of AR 295
​8.6513.92
 AR 303 south		Northern terminus of AR 303
Drakes Creek10.5216.93
 AR 295 south – Georgetown		Northern terminus of AR 295
Huntsville18.8430.32
 AR 980 south (Airport Road) – Madison County Transfer Station & Recycling Center		Northern terminus of AR 980
19.16530.843 US 412B (Gaskill Street / Main Street) – HuntsvilleEastern terminus
1.000 mi = 1.609 km; 1.000 km = 0.621 mi

Huntsville to Kingston

Highway 74

LocationHuntsville–Kingston
Length13.988 mi[12] (22.512 km)
ExistedJuly 10, 1957[21]–present

Highway 74 (AR 74) is an east–west state highway in Madison County, Arkansas.

Route description
Bluffside Park (left) along AR 74

A fourth section begins at AR 23 south of Huntsville. The route runs east through a rural portion of Madison County for 14 miles (23 km), passing Bluff Side Park. AR 74 continues east through the unincorporated communities of Wharton and Loy before crossing the Kings River. The highway curves north toward the small town of Kingston. AR 74 meets AR 21 at the square in downtown Kingston, where it terminates.[18]

This segment had an AADT of 580 VPD in 2023,[6] and is not listed on the NHS.[7]

History

The Arkansas General Assembly passed the Act 148 of 1957, the Milum Road Act, creating 10–12 miles (16–19 km) of new state highways in each county.[22] The segment from AR 23 to the Kings River was added on July 10, 1957.[21] It was extended to AR 21 in Kingston on June 29, 1960 under an act that extended several Milum roads to more logical termini.

Major intersections

The entire route is in Madison County.

Locationmi[12][20]kmDestinationsNotes
​0.0000.000 AR 23 – Huntsville, Eureka SpringsWestern terminus
​2.183.51MUTCD RS-044.svg Bluff Side Park
​11.19018.009Bridge over Kings River
​13.98822.512 AR 21 – Berryville, ClarksvilleEastern terminus
1.000 mi = 1.609 km; 1.000 km = 0.621 mi

Ponca to CR 38

Highway 74

LocationNewton County, Arkansas
Length29.096 mi[a 1][23] (46.825 km)
ExistedJuly 10, 1957[24]–present

Highway 74 (AR 74) is an east–west state highway in Newton County, Arkansas.

Route description
AR 74 passing through Low Gap

Near Ponca in rural Newton County, a fifth section of AR 74 begins at a junction with AR 43. AR 74 immediately crosses the Buffalo National River near the Steele Creek Use Area[25] and the historic Valley Y Ranch before winding south to the unincorporated community of Low Gap. The highway continues east along a crooked and steep alignment through the Ozark Mountains, passing through Mount Sherman and passing through the Ozark National Forest before entering Jasper, the small-town county seat of Newton County.

In Jasper, AR 74 serves as the northern terminus of AR 374 before a junction with AR 7 (Court Street). The two routes run together in a concurrency along a bridge over the Little Buffalo River before AR 74 turns left and exits Jasper eastbound. East of Jasper, AR 74 continues east through unincorporated areas of Newton County. The route meets AR 123 in Piercetown and runs concurrently for four miles (6.4 km) before splitting off at Mount Judea.[a 2]

From Mount Judea, AR 74 continues six more miles (9.7 km) miles east through a rural area near the southern border of the Gene Rush Wildlife Management Area (WMA). Continuing east, AR 74 terminates at a junction with Newton County Route 38 (CR 38, Cave Road) near the unincorporated community of Bass.[26]

This segment had a peak AADT of 1,700 VPD west of Jasper in 2023, ranging from 450 VPD near Ponca and as low as 260 VPD near Mt. Judea.[6] It is not listed on the NHS.[7]

History

The Arkansas State Highway Commission created this segment of AR 74 along a county road between Ponca and Jasper on July 10, 1957 as part of the Milum Road Act.[24] It was extended east to AR 123 on April 24, 1963 as part of a large expansion of the state highway system.[27] On August 25, 1965, the Commission extended AR 74 east to the current eastern terminus.[28]

Route description

Mile markers reset at some concurrencies. The entire route is in Newton County.

Locationmi[23][20][a 3]kmDestinationsNotes
Ponca0.0000.000 AR 43 – Compton, HarrisonWestern terminus
0.0960.154Bridge over the Buffalo River
Jasper13.7022.05
 AR 327 south – Parthenon		Northern terminus of AR 327
14.029–
0.000		22.577–
0.000		 AR 7 (Court Street) – Harrison, Russellville
Piercetown9.70815.624
 AR 123 north – Western Grove		Northern end of AR 123 concurrency
​11.8619.09

 AR 374 west to AR 7 – Vendor		Eastern terminus of AR 374
Mount Judea14.1822.82
 AR 123 south – Pelsor, Russellville		Southern end of AR 123 concurrency
​19.5431.45CR 38 (Cave Road)Eastern terminus
1.000 mi = 1.609 km; 1.000 km = 0.621 mi

Snowball to US 65

Highway 74

LocationSearcy County, Arkansas
Length7.098 mi[29] (11.423 km)
ExistedJuly 10, 1957[30]–present

Highway 74 (AR 74) is an east–west state highway in Searcy County, Arkansas.

Route description

AR 74 begins a sixth section in the unincorporated community of Snowball in rural Searcy County. The designation begins at a junction with AR 377 and Searcy County Route 13 (CR 13). The route runs seven miles (11 km) east through rural Ozark Mountain land, passing through the community of Dongola and crossing Bear Creek before a junction with US 65 north of Marshall, where it terminates.[31]

This segment had an AADT of 760 VPD in 2023,[6] and is not listed on the NHS.[7]

History

The Arkansas State Highway Commission created this segment of AR 74 along a county road on July 10, 1957 as part of the Milum Road Act.[30]

Major intersections

The entire route is in Searcy County.

LocationmikmDestinationsNotes
Snowball0.0000.000
 AR 377 south / CR 13 north – Witts Spring		Western terminus; northern terminus of AR 377
​7.09811.423 US 65 – Marshall, HarrisonEastern terminus
1.000 mi = 1.609 km; 1.000 km = 0.621 mi
  •       Route transition

Marshall to Alco

Highway 74

LocationSearcy County, Arkansas
Length18.138 mi[29][32] (29.190 km)
ExistedJuly 10, 1957[33]–present

Highway 74 (AR 74) is an east–west state highway in Searcy and Stone counties in Arkansas.

Route description

In Marshall, a seventh segment of AR 74 begins at AR 27. The highway runs east out of town, entering a rural section of Searcy County. AR 74 passes through several unincorporated communities, including Baker, Barren Hollow, Rock Springs, and Fairview before reaching Landis. Turning south, AR 74 continues to Thola before winding east into Stone County.[31] The route continues briefly in Stone County before ending at AR 66.[32]

This segment had an AADT of 410 VPD between Baker and Barren Hollow in 2023, dropping to 200 VPD at the eastern terminus.[6] It is not listed on the NHS.[7]

History

The Arkansas State Highway Commission created this segment of AR 74 along a county road running east from Marshall known as the Marshall-Rock Springs Road for 3.6 miles (5.8 km) on July 10, 1957 as part of the Milum Road Act.[30] It was extended east to Landis in 1963[27] and to the Stone County line in 1965.[34] A final extension east to AR 66 happened the following month.[35]

Major intersections
CountyLocationmikmDestinationsNotes
SearcyMarshall0.0000.000 AR 27 – Marshall, HarriettWestern terminus
Stone​18.13829.190 AR 66 – Mountain View, LeslieEastern terminus
1.000 mi = 1.609 km; 1.000 km = 0.621 mi

Notes

  1. ^ Length does not include mileage logged under AR 123 during overlap. Map note for officially designated exception: AR 74 Sec. 6 Exception Over AR 123 Sec. 1 LM 9.708[23]
  2. ^ Although Arkansas highways normally terminate when intersected by a route of greater importance, AR 74 in Newton County does not end when intersecting AR 123, instead forming an officially designated exception.[23]
  3. ^ Table lengths includes 4.47 miles (7.19 km) logged under AR 123.[20]

References

  1. ^ Jump up to: a b c d e f Planning Division (October 1, 2024). State Highway Route and Section Map, Washington County, Arkansas (PDF) (Map). Little Rock: Arkansas Department of Transportation. Retrieved January 26, 2025.
  2. ^ Jump up to: a b Arkansas State Highway Commission (1939). Official Highway Map (TIF) (Map). Scale not given. Little Rock: Arkansas State Highway Commission. Retrieved February 15, 2025 – via Arkansas GIS Office.
  3. ^ Planning and Research Division (May 2012). Map of Winslow, Washington County, Arkansas (PDF) (Map). Little Rock: Arkansas State Highway and Transportation Department. § C2. Retrieved February 15, 2025.
  4. ^ "National Register Information System – Winslow Commercial Historic District (#100007325)". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. November 2, 2013. Retrieved February 15, 2025.
  5. ^ Jump up to: a b Transportation Planning and Policy Division (February 2, 2024) [October 21, 2010]. General Highway Map, Washington County, Arkansas (PDF) (Map) (Revised ed.). 1:62,500. Little Rock: Arkansas Department of Transportation. Retrieved February 15, 2025.
  6. ^ Jump up to: a b c d e f g System Information & Research Division (2023). Annual Average Daily Traffic Estimates (GIS Map) (Map). Arkansas Department of Transportation. Retrieved March 22, 2025.
  7. ^ Jump up to: a b c d e f g System Information and Research Division (2015). "Arkansas Road Log Database" (MDB). Arkansas State Highway and Transportation Department. Retrieved March 27, 2016.
  8. ^ Natzke, Stefan; Neathery, Mike & Adderly, Kevin (June 29, 2017). "What is the National Highway System?". National Highway System. Federal Highway Administration. Retrieved July 15, 2018.
  9. ^ Arkansas State Highway Commission (1936). Official Highway Service Map (TIF) (Map). Scale not given. Little Rock: Arkansas State Highway Commission. Retrieved February 15, 2025 – via Arkansas GIS Office.
  10. ^ Arkansas State Highway Commission (1937). Official Highway Service Map (TIF) (Map). Scale not given. Little Rock: Arkansas State Highway Commission. Retrieved February 15, 2025 – via Arkansas GIS Office.
  11. ^ Jump up to: a b "Minutes of the Meeting of the Arkansas State Highway Commission" (PDF). Little Rock: Arkansas State Highway Commission. 1980–1989. pp. 194–195. OCLC 21798861. Retrieved February 15, 2025.
  12. ^ Jump up to: a b c d Planning Division (April 30, 2024). State Highway Route and Section Map, Madison County, Arkansas (PDF) (Map). Little Rock: Arkansas Department of Transportation. Retrieved February 6, 2025.
  13. ^ Jump up to: a b Hall, C. G. (April 20, 1951). Acts, Concurrent Resolutions, and Proposed Constitutional Amendments of the Fifty-Eighth General Assembly of the State of Arkansas. Little Rock: Arkansas Secretary of State. p. 718. Retrieved February 16, 2025.
  14. ^ Arkansas Historic Preservation Program (2020). Arkansas Trail of Tears (Map). Little Rock: Arkansas Department of Parks and Tourism. Retrieved January 19, 2025.
  15. ^ Transportation Planning and Policy Division (January 2021). Map of Elkins, Washington County, Arkansas (PDF) (Map). Little Rock: Arkansas Department of Transportation. § B3. Retrieved February 16, 2025.
  16. ^ "National Register Information System – Maguire-Williams House (#95001093)". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. November 2, 2013. Retrieved February 16, 2025.
  17. ^ "National Register Information System – Tom Smith House (#92001344)". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. November 2, 2013. Retrieved February 16, 2025.
  18. ^ Jump up to: a b Planning and Research Division (November 25, 2024). General Highway Map, Madison County, Arkansas (PDF) (Map). 1:62,500. Little Rock: Arkansas Department of Transportation. Retrieved February 23, 2025.
  19. ^ Transportation Planning and Policy Division (October 2018). Map of Huntsville, Madison County, Arkansas (PDF) (Map). 1:12,000. Little Rock: Arkansas Department of Transportation. § D3. Retrieved February 16, 2025.
  20. ^ Jump up to: a b c d Arkansas Centerline File (GIS Map) (Map) (Updated ed.). Various. Arkansas GIS Office. May 2, 2024 [September 29, 2014]. Retrieved January 25, 2025.
  21. ^ Jump up to: a b "Minutes of the Meeting of the Arkansas State Highway Commission" (PDF). Little Rock: Arkansas State Highway Commission. 1953–1969. pp. 1788–1789. OCLC 21798861. Retrieved January 11, 2025.
  22. ^ Governmental Relations Office (2018). Development of Highway and Transportation Legislation in Arkansas (PDF). Little Rock: Arkansas Department of Transportation. p. 1. Retrieved February 22, 2025.
  23. ^ Jump up to: a b c d Planning Division (January 24, 2025). State Highway Route and Section Map, Newton County, Arkansas (PDF) (Map). Little Rock: Arkansas Department of Transportation. Retrieved February 28, 2025.
  24. ^ Jump up to: a b "Minutes" (1953–1969), p. 1790.
  25. ^ Arkansas Atlas & Gazetteer (Map) (Fifth ed.). 1:127,000. Yarmouth, Maine: DeLorme. 2018. p. 31. ISBN 9781946494207. OCLC 1066245581.
  26. ^ Planning and Research Division (January 14, 2025). General Highway Map, Newton County, Arkansas (PDF) (Map). 1:62,500. Little Rock: Arkansas Department of Transportation. Retrieved February 28, 2025.
  27. ^ Jump up to: a b "Minutes" (1953–1969), pp. 913–919.
  28. ^ "Minutes" (1953–1969), p. 712.
  29. ^ Jump up to: a b Planning Division (January 14, 2025). State Highway Route and Section Map, Searcy County, Arkansas (PDF) (Map). Little Rock: Arkansas Department of Transportation. Retrieved March 8, 2025.
  30. ^ Jump up to: a b c "Minutes" (1953–1969), p. 1794.
  31. ^ Jump up to: a b Planning and Research Division (November 25, 2024). General Highway Map, Searcy County, Arkansas (PDF) (Map). 1:62,500. Little Rock: Arkansas Department of Transportation. Retrieved March 8, 2025.
  32. ^ Jump up to: a b Planning Division (January 14, 2025). State Highway Route and Section Map, Stone County, Arkansas (PDF) (Map). Little Rock: Arkansas Department of Transportation. Retrieved February 9, 2025.
  33. ^ "Minutes" (1953–1969), p. 1790.
  34. ^ "Minutes" (1953–1969), p. 674.
  35. ^ "Minutes" (1953–1969), p. 692.

External links

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