Historic Cape Highway Gets Federal Recognition

BARNSTABLE, MA — The U.S. Department of Transportation named a historic Cape Cod highway as a national scenic byway.

Old King's Highway, also known as Route 6A, is now one of four highways in Massachusetts to receive the designation.

The 34-mile highway features scenic views of beaches, salt marshes and harbors through seven of the region's communities. Much of the Cape's history can also be seen along the highway including colonial era churches and the homes of famous sea captains.

Old King's Highway was among three new Massachusetts designations approved in January 2021 and 49 additional across the country. The nomination was prepared by the Cape Cod Commission and the Cape Cod Chamber of Commerce to "preserve, promote, and enhance the roadway," a spokesperson from the Cape Cod Commission said. The Massachusetts Department of Transportation then submitted the nomination to the Federal Highway Administration accompanied by letters of support from several local chambers of commerce and the Town of Barnstable.

"The scenic byway category recognizes that, like the environment, the Cape’s history also drives the economy," said Cape Cod Chamber of Commerce CEO Wendy Northcross in a statement. "Along with our beaches, salt marshes and harbors, Route 6A captures what many residents and visitors think when they hear the words 'Cape Cod.'"

The designation was the result of almost three decades of work between the commission and Cape Cod Chamber of Commerce.

In 1992, Old King's Highway was designated as a Massachusetts scenic byway. Three years later, the commission created a corridor management plan and updated it in 2010 to begin the long process of eligibility for national recognition.

"The Cape Cod Commission has long-recognized the important role played by the Old King’s Highway in preserving the Cape’s special sense of place," said Kristy Senatori, the commission's executive director. "As we look to the future, it will be important to protect and preserve these cultural assets from the effects of climate change and other critical regional challenges for future generations."

The Old King’s Highway extends through seven communities along the Cape’s north side from Bourne to the Eastham- Orleans border. It is the backbone of the Old King’s Highway Regional Historic District, enacted in 1974.

The National Scenic Byways Program, part of the Federal Highway Administration, seeks to "create a distinctive collection of American roads, their stories and treasured places." Among the factors considered in designations are archaeological, cultural, historic, natural, recreational, and scenic. National or regional significance, the overall visitors' experience and long-term sustainability are also important factors.

The designation means Old King Highway will be featured in the 2021 National Scenic Byways Program Designations Booklet and added to the America’s Byways website.