Route on NY's Long Island designated Washington Spy Trail

SETAUKET, N.Y. – New York state is bestowing a special designation upon a stretch of road on Long Island's North Shore that was used by a Revolutionary War spy ring working for George Washington.

Route 25A from Great Neck to Port Jefferson, about a 50-mile stretch, is being officially designated Thursday as the Washington Spy Trail. More than two dozen spy ring signs will be installed along the route.

The Culper spy ring, considered the nation's first espionage group, used the route to slip through British lines and deliver secret messages to Washington during the American Revolution. Washington later used the same route to thank his spies for their contribution to winning the war.

State and local officials are joining tourism leaders for the dedication ceremony in Setauket.