In 1908, the New York State Legislature created Route 24, an unsigned legislative route that initially extended from Fonda to Lake Pleasant via Johnstown, Gloversville, Mayfield, and Speculator. From Fonda to the southern edge of Johnstown, Route 24 utilized modern NY 30A. Northeast of Gloversville, it followed East State Street, current County Route 154, and Riceville Road to Mayfield. In between, it was routed along several city streets in Johnstown and Gloversville. All of legislative Route 24 south of Speculator was designated as part of NY 54 in the mid-1920s. Like Route 24 before it, NY 54 followed a series of local streets through Johnstown and Gloversville. It entered Johnstown on Chestnut Street and proceeded northward through the city on Madison Avenue and Perry Street. In Gloversville, Perry Street became Main Street, which NY 54 followed to State Street.