Missouri Route 20
Route 20 is a state highway in Lafayette and Saline counites in Missouri, United States, that connects Missouri Route 13 northwest of Higginsville with U.S. [Route 65 Business (Marshall, Missouri)|U.S. Route 65 Business] in Marshall.
Route description
For nearly its entire length Route 20 is a two-lane road that passes through rural farmland and crosses several small creeks and valleys.Lafayette County
Route 20 begins at a modified T intersection with Route 13 northeast of Higginsville in Lafayette County. The intersection is also the northern teriminus of Missouri [Route 13 Business (Higginsville)|Misssouri Route 13 Business]. From its western terminus Route 20 runs concurrently with Route 13 Bus. to enter Higginsville and run along the south edge of the Confederate Memorial State Historic Site. On the southeast corner of the Historic Site, Route 13 Bus. turns to head south while Route 20 makes a left turn at another T intersection. Promptly after its junction with Route 13 Bus., Route 20 connects with the south end of Missouri Route 213.Immediately after its junction with Route 213, Route 20 leaves Higginsville and continues northeasterly for about before turning east. Just over farther east, Route 20 connects with the south end of Route F and the north end of Bonanza Road. Continuing east for, Route 20 connects with the south end of Route BB and the north end of Route V, north of Corder.
After continuing east for about Route 20 crosses Missouri Route 23 northeast of Alma. Approximately east of its junction with Rotue 23, Route 20 connects with the north end of Route W. Route 20 then continues east for another before leaving Lafayette County.
Saline County
Promptly after leaving Lafayette County and entering Saline County, Route 20 passes through the city of Blackburn. About east of Blackburn Route 20 connects with the south end of another Route BB at another T intersection. Approximately farther east Route 20 connects with Missouri Route 127 at yet another T intersection. From the western Route 20 / Route 127 runs concurrently for before Route 127 splits off at a T intersection. and the southern segment of Route EE. Approximately farther east, Route 20 curves to proceed north for about before curving to proceed east once again. In the middle of the last curve Route 20 connects with the south end of Route Z at a T intersection on the southern edge of the small unincorporated community of Shackleford.[File:Marshall-mo-ch.jpg|thumb|right|Saline County Courthouse from near the eastern terminus of Route 20 in Marshall, August 2010]
East of Shackleford, Route 20 proceeds easterly for just over before entering the city limits of Marshall. Within Marshall Route 20 continues east along West Arrow Street for roughly before crossing U.S. Route 65 on the western edge of the residential area of the city. About farther east Route 20 reaches its eastern terminus at US 65 Bus. at a slightly askew intersection.
History
Route 20 was one of the original 1922 highways. Its eastern terminus was originally at Huntsville at Route 10. Its western terminus was originally in Kansas City at Route 1. In 1926, the section west of Waverly became part of US 24 and the section from Waverly to Marshall became part of US 65. In 1933-1934, Route 20 was extended west on its current alignment to Higginsville. This section had been planned as Route 96 in 1922, but was soon dropped from the state highway system. In 1934/1935, the section from Glasgow to Huntsville became part of Missouri Route 3 when that route was extended. The next year, the section fromMarshall to Glasgow became part of Route 240.