K-49 is a north-south state highway in the U.S. state of Kansas. K-49 begins at U.S. Highway 81 in Caldwell, and runs north to K-42 in Viola. Along the way, K-49 has a brief overlap with US-160 south of Conway Springs. The majority of the route exists in Sumner County, with only a mile existing in Sedgwick County. K-49 was first designated as a state highway in 1927, and at that time it ran from US-81 in Caldwell north to K-42 in Conway Springs. Then by 1931, K-42 was realigned to a new alignment and at that time K-49 was extended north to Viola.
Route description
K-49 begins in downtown Caldwell at an intersection with US-81 and West Central Avenue, traveling north as Main Street. Leaving the city, the highway shifts east slightly with an S-shaped curve, and passes through flat farmland. It crosses the Chikaskia River west of Corbin, and shifts northeast to avoid a second crossing with the river before intersecting the eastern terminus of K-44 in a slightly wooded area, where it shifts east once again with a gentle S-shaped curve. K-49 then continues north through flat fields, where it intersects the Chisholm Trail. It continues north and has a grade crossing with a BNSF Railway line a mile south of US-160, where it shares a concurrency with the U.S. Highway. After traveling west with US-160, the highway resumes its northerly course toward Conway Springs through more flat fields, and passing through the town. K-49 meets the Kansas and Oklahoma Railroad with an at-grade crossing on the northern city limit. The highway continues north, crossing Slate Creek, before arriving at the northern Sumner county border. Upon crossing into Sedgwick County, it immediately arrives at Viola, where it meets its northern terminus at K-42.
History
K-49 was first designated as a state highway in 1927. At that time it ran from US-81 in Caldwell north to K-42 in Conway Springs. By 1931, K-42 was realigned to turn north, north of Milton, then continue through Viola to Clearwater. From Clearwater, it zig-zagged northeastward to Wichita. At this time K-49 was extended north to Viola, to meet the new alignment of K-42. In a December 10, 1957 resolution, the overlap with US-160 was moved north to a new alignment.
