End of US highway 71
View a map showing this route.
Additional research and/or photo credits: David Backlin; Alex Nitzman
| Approx. time period | North terminus | South terminus |
|---|---|---|
| 1926-1941 | International Falls, MN | Port Allen, LA |
| 1941-1951 | International Falls, MN | Baton Rouge, LA |
| 1951-present | International Falls, MN | (near Krotz Springs, LA) |
The north end of US 71 has always been in International Falls MN. In 1930, US 169 was also routed into I-Falls, but four years later the segment of US 169 from Virginia to I-Falls was renumbered as part of US 53. Ever since then, the north end of US 71 occurs while co-signed with US 53; you can view photos from I-Falls on this page.
Originally the south end of US 71 was at Port Allen LA. About 15 years later, the designation was extended across the Mississippi River to Baton Rouge. You can view photos from both places on this page.
In 1951, the south end of US 71 was truncated to its junction with US 190, about three miles west of Krotz Springs. This first shot shows the signage at the end of the road:
Nitzman, Oct. 2003 (gone by 2013)
I wonder why they spelled out the highways, instead of using shields? US 71 used to continue to the east (left). The shot below is looking east on US 190 at the modern south beginning of US 71:
Nitzman,
Nov. 2003