In a way, Route 101 survived the Great Renumbering of 1932, where few others did.

In the 1920s, State Highway 101 had the following route in Connecticut:

• today's Route 198, from US 6 in Chaplin to US 44 in Ashford
• today's US 44, easterly through Pomfret and Putnam to the Rhode Island state line

At the time, present-day Route 101 between Route 169 and Route 12 was called SH 137; between Route 12 and Rhode Island, SH 139.

On Jan. 1, 1932, the "Great Renumbering" took place, and Route 101 was extended nearly all the way across Connecticut, totaling more than 90 miles. Its new route was:

• today's US 44, from US 7 in Canaan to US 5 in East Hartford
• Silver Lane and Spencer Street (today's SR 502) from East Hartford to Manchester
• today's US 44 from Manchester to the Rhode Island state line

At this time, present-day Route 101 was called state route 202.

In 1935, US 44 and US 202 were commissioned. US 44 took over all of existing Route 101 in the state. Nearby state route 202, its number displaced by US 202, became the new Route 101.

Route 101 might have been intended for a highway in New Fairfield; a 1934 report to the highway commissioner mentions an investigation of Route 101 in that town. However, the 101 numbering was never removed from its Eastern Connecticut roots.

• "State Road Numbers to be Changed." Hartford Courant, Dec. 21, 1931.
• "New State Map To Be Ready For Public In August." Hartford Courant. June 27, 1935.
• Connecticut Highway Department. Highway Commissioner's Biennial Report. Wethersfield: 1934.

Route 101 Ends (Photos; Doug Kerr at state-ends.com)