Historic Texas Highway Signage

Available only for Bankhead Highway, Meridian Highway and Route 66 at this time.

Signage is a way to support the visitor experience along designated historic Texas highways. To be eligible for Historic Texas Highways signage, it must be demonstrated that the route proposed for signs is associated with one of the officially designated highways in the State of Texas and illustrated on the 1923 Rand McNally Auto Trails Map. It should show the significance of the road segment within the larger context of the historic highway and its contribution to local and regional themes.

The Texas Historical Commission (THC) with the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) has created a framework for applying for signs along historic road segments for highways in Texas.

Who Can Apply for Historic Texas Highway Signs?

Anyone can apply for historic Texas highway signage, but the application must go through the local County Historical Commission (CHC). Tasks for completing the application include:

Conduct research to show the association of the road segment with a historic Texas highway route.
Develop a historic context to show significance, intrinsic qualities, and integrity of the road segment proposed for signage.
Complete the Historic Texas Highways Signage application.
Prepare supporting documentation for the signage application, including historical aerials, photos and map, newspaper articles, auto guides, city directory information, etc.
Prepare project location maps, signage type and count, sign drawings and specifications based on templates.
Set up a funding mechanism and partnership.
Submit the application with documentation to the local CHC.

The THC accepts Historic Texas Highway Signage applications at any time throughout the year.

Historic Texas Highway Signage Application (PDF)
Historic Texas Highway Signage Application (fillable Word document)

To find your CHC contact information, please go to Contact Information for CHCs page. The CHC will review and provide comments on the application and documentation. Upon concurring with the signage request, the CHC will submit the application and documentation to the Texas Historical Commission.

Once the THC has reviewed and approved the application, it will be sent to TxDOT for review and final approval. The applicant and CHC are responsible for coordination with TxDOT for funding, fabrication, and installation of the Historic Texas Highway signs.

Where Can the Signs go?

The historic highway signs may go along the Bankhead Highway, the Meridian Highway and Route 66 (see the 1923 Rand McNally road map) that is included in the TxDOT-managed right-of-way, except for interstates. As funding becomes available, we plan to add more historic highways. These roads include:

US highways
State highways
Farm-to-market roads
Ranch-to-market roads
Spurs
Business loops
Park roads

They can also go along county roads, but would need county-level coordination by the applicant with county commissioners' permission after approval by the THC and TxDOT.

Useful Tools for the Application Process

To assist in the application process, the THC has created a Sign Management Plan report that details application requirements along with suggested research materials and potential funding sources.

Research materials include:

Historic Context for the Development of Highways in Texas report (36 MB) provides historical information about Texas highways in general
Bankhead Highway historic context
Meridian Highway historic context
Route 66 in Texas historic context along with maps for the Texas Route 66 alignments (11 MB)

Other materials include:

1923 Rand McNally map, map legend, and Historic Texas Highways list
Sign Management Plan report with map and sign examples for Rural, Rural Town, and Urban situations
A go-by example of a completed application with supporting documentation and sign plan.
Historic Roads and Highways Program Sign Agreement
National Park Service Interpretive Media for Wayside Exhibits
Signage templates

Funding for Signage

Funding must be secured prior to submission of the application. Currently, there is no funding available from the THC or TxDOT. The applicant is responsible for providing funding for the sign fabrication and installation. An explanation of the funding source(s) should be included with the application. A Historic Roads and Highways Program Sign Agreement will need to be signed by the county entity after the application has been approved by the THC and TxDOT.

Cities with Municipal Maintenance Agreements (MMA) with TxDOT may fabricate and install their own signs with TxDOT district approval of the sign locations, mounts, hardware, etc. As the MMA already addresses signs installed and maintained by the city, there is no need for the city to sign the Historic Roads and Highways Program Sign Agreement.

Cities without MMA and all Counties must sign the Historic Roads and Highways Program Sign Agreement and pay TxDOT for sign fabrication and installation. If the sign funding is coming from a third party, the third party pays the City or County, and then the City or County issues payment to TxDOT.

The applicant should contact the local TxDOT district office to get pricing for the signs (fabrication, installation, and materials). Cost per sign will vary by TxDOT district based on county, number of signs, and other variables (approximately $500-1,200 per sign). The TxDOT price quote correspondence should be included with the application.

To locate your TxDOT district office, go to the TxDOT Districts website.

What are the CHC's Responsibilities?

In order to minimize time and effort by the CHC, the application must come to the CHC completed. Any incomplete applications will be returned to the applicant for completion. The review and approval process by the CHC includes:

Confirm the application is properly filled out.
Confirm the supporting documentation is included.
Confirm that funding for the sign(s) and installation has been set up by the applicant.
Review and discuss the application with the CHC board; give approval as appropriate with comments.
Fill out the County Historical Commission Approval section of the application.
Send in the application with supporting documentation to the THC Historic Texas Highways program.

Application Submission

The THC accepts Historic Texas Highway Signage applications at any time throughout the calendar year. Any incomplete applications will be returned to the applicant.

Please submit the application in electronic format:

On CD or thumb drive to:

Texas Historical Commission
c/o Historic Texas Highways Program
PO Box 12276
Austin, Texas 78711

Or via a large file share service, such as DropBox.com, to leslie.wolfenden@thc.texas.gov

For questions, please contact Leslie Wolfenden at 512-463-3386 or email, leslie.wolfenden@thc.texas.gov.

**Available only for the Bankhead Highway, Meridian Highway and Route 66 alignments at the present time.**

Roadway Signage Types
Roadway signage addresses two primary signage needs along the roadways of historic Texas highways. The two sign types are: route identification signs and advance/directional signs.
Route Identification Signs
Route Identification signs are to be placed along the historic alignment to bring attention to the beginning and end of historic routes. Route identification signs principally identify road alignments along the length of the historic Texas highway that has been designated as historic.
Advance and Directional Signs
Advance and Directional signs are meant to guide visitors to and from the current roadway to the historic road corridors. Directional signs are placed to notify the motorist of turns within the historic route or provide advance notice of a historic route. Basic directional sign variations include the addition of left- and right-facing arrows, as well as simple mileage indicators to guide visitors at major crossings and critical junctions along the historic Texas highway route.
Design of Roadway Signs
All route identification and directional signs must follow TxDOT signage specifications. All text and backgrounds for Historic Texas Highway signs must be retroreflective with a white message, brown background, and 1-inch white border (with a 3-inch radius at the corners). The sign must feature 4-inch letters using Clearview font.
The width of the sign should not exceed 48 inches. The height of the sign will vary based on the size of the message. Text must be limited to five lines for ease of readability by motorists.
Highway logos and symbols (other than arrows) are not permitted per TxDOT specifications, except for Route 66 in order to maintain uniformity with signs that are currently installed on Route 66 in six other states.
After The Application Has Been Approved by THC and TxDOT-ENV:
The following steps show the TxDOT process for requests regarding historic highway signage.
1. TxDOT-TRF receives and reviews sign plans with proposed locations and sign designs.
2. TxDOT-TRF requests the TxDOT District Office to review locations in the field and report back to TxDOT-TRF with approval or revision/adjustments to sign locations.
3. TxDOT-TRF finalizes and approves sign plan, sign designs, content, and locations.
4. TxDOT District Office executes necessary agreements.
  1. The County must sign a Historic Roads & Highways Program Sign Agreement (Sign Agreement) with the TxDOT District Office.
    - The Sign Agreement should be executed after all involved parties agree to the final set of sign plans and sign designs.
    - The Sign Agreement must be signed by a county representative who has the authority to enter into a binding agreement on the County's behalf.
    - The Sign Agreement itemizes any tangible item or service of value either installed on TxDOT property/ROW or given to TxDOT.
      The cost of the Historic Texas Highway sign will vary depending on TxDOT district and number of signs ($500-1,200), includes fabrication and installation by TxDOT.
    - The Sign Agreement delineates future maintenance responsibilities.
  2. Cities with Municipal Maintenance Agreement (MMA) with TxDOT may fabricate and install their own signs with TxDOT district approval of the sign locations, mounts, hardware, etc. As the MMA already addresses signs installed and maintained by the city, there is no need for the city to sign the Historic Roads and Highways Program Sign Agreement.
  3. Cities without Municipal Maintenance Agreement (MMA) and all Counties must sign the Historic Roads and Highways Program Sign Agreement and pay TxDOT for sign fabrication and installation. If the sign funding is coming from a third party, the third party pays the City or County, and then the City or County issues payment to TxDOT.
    - The applicant should contact the local TxDOT district office to get pricing for the signs (fabrication, installation, and materials). Cost per sign will vary by TxDOT district based on county, number of signs, and other variables (approximately $500-1,200 per sign). The TxDOT price quote correspondence should be included with the application.
    - To locate your TxDOT district office, go to the TxDOT Districts website.
Funding must be secured prior to submission of the application. Currently, there is no funding available from the THC or TxDOT. The applicant is responsible for providing funding for the sign fabrication and installation. An explanation of the funding source(s) should be included with the application. A Historic Roads and Highways Program Sign Agreement will need to be signed by the county entity after the application has been approved by the THC and TxDOT.
TxDOT Sign Installation
Signs to be installed on TxDOT right-of-way must be installed per TxDOT Sign Installation Standards. (Sign Installation Standards.pdf)
Signs to be installed on TxDOT right-of-way must be installed by:
- The City as covered under the TxDOT Municipal Maintenance Agreement (MMA) or by TxDOT district office.
- Counties are not permitted to install signs on TxDOT right-of-way.
To find sign installers in your area, do an internet search for "sign installers near [your town]".
Sign Fabrication
All signs to be installed on TxDOT right-of-way must meet TxDOT signage specifications. All text and backgrounds must be retroflective with a white message in 4" Clearview font with a brown background.
Highway logos and symbols (other than arrows) are not permitted per TxDOT specifications with the exception of Route 66.
Dimensioned Signage for Obtaining Quotes from Sign Fabricators

**Available only for Bankhead Highway, Meridian Highway and Route 66 at this time.**