Vintage Iowa Highway 20 / Iowa U S Highway 69 ( Steel 1934-1939) For Sale

During the mid-1930s Great Depression, the Iowa Highway Department began transitioning away from their ultra-expensive, brittle 20-pound cast iron road markers. To cut costs while maintaining structural strength against harsh Midwest weather and flying gravel, they swapped to heavy-gauge plate steel (typically thick 12-gauge or 14-gauge structural steel). Authentic 1930s Overlapping Route Marker: The Reverse Embossing: Unlike cast iron (which had to be poured completely flat on the back), heavy plate steel was machine-pressed using hydraulic state-shop dies. This pressing process is exactly why you see the crisp, indented outline of the letters showing through to the other side. The Double-Sided Twist: Because the state highway department was actively looking for ways to conserve steel and stretch budgets during the Depression, stamp-pressing US 20 on one side and blank  on the other allowed a single piece of heavy metal to pull double duty at intersections. (Hwy 69 is a thick pressed on sticker)  The sign is embossed steel but features the early cutout pattern, it safely places production between 1934 and roughly 1939. It is an incredible, authentic piece of 1930s municipal Iowa highway infrastructure. Weight 11 lbs. Height is 16" x  15 3/8"  & approx 3/8" total thickness.

(All information was obtained from AI help and asking loads of questions)

If shipping is less, the difference will be refunded.

No International or Alaskan sales