DECATUR, Ind. (AP) _ Before the interstate system, U.S. 27 took travelers from St. Ignace, in Michigan's Upper Peninsula, through Decatur, Indiana to Miami, Florida.

Once a thoroughfare through downtown Decatur, U.S. 27 now bypasses downtown altogether. The Journal Gazette in Fort Wayne reports (http://bit.ly/1kj5a97) there is a regional effort to designate Old U.S. 27 a state historical route through its eight Indiana counties. 

If approved by the state, signs on the current road could be installed to point to the old route, constructed beginning in 1926 as part of the national highway system.

Brad Martz, who is leading the effort, says the application to designate Old U.S. 27 a historic byway will include points of interest such as Wayne County's Levi Coffin house and part of the Underground Railroad for fleeing slaves.