| Newer 80 |
Older 80 |
Historic 80 |
Possible 80
|
Notes/Comments |
| 2-lane U.S. 80 from the Louisiana state line to Waskom. |
|
|
|
This section of road was originally known as State
Highway 15. |
-U.S. 80 through Waskom. -Becomes
I-20 north frontage to exit 628.
-Veer right to follow newer 80 away from I-20 and on into Jasper
Heights & Marshall. |
|
-Waskom Ave. thru town to TX 134.
>>>
-TX 134 north thru Jonesville to TX 1998 west.
-TX 1998 thru Scottsville to rejoin U.S. 80 at Jasper Heights.
|
|
-Today, Waskom Ave is a
small asphalt ribbon-without early maps, this old road could
easily be overlooked!
-Note the old 90 degree turn in Jonesville.
-The 1937 map shows the historic routing being
bypassed. 1940 county map clearly shows it being
bypassed. Because of this long time span since its decommission,
the old road has been re-built and repaved several times. No
vintage culverts/bridges remain. |
| Becomes a 4-lane
as you approach Jasper Heights and Marshall.
U.S. 80 in Jasper Heights through Marshall.
|
|
-E. Houston St. thru
Marshall. Becomes W. Houston St
and TX 3379. Rejoining U.S. 80 west end of town.
-Just on the other side of 4-lane 80, small cut off loop,
CR3814. >>>
-Take CR968 off to the SE. Just immediately past the Old
Grover cemetery, look for old 80 to turn hard right into the trees
and onto private property.
|
|
1940 County map clearly shows this city stretch
being bypassed.
-CR3814, the "Old Longview Rd", becomes private
property in just 150 feet or so. Where the curve would have rejoined
at the south end, the old roadbed has been removed.
|
| 2-lane U.S. 80 to Hallsville. |
|
-See notes >>>
-2.5 miles west of CR 968, short .5 long cut off loop on south
side.
-Then just a 1/2 mile further, another .4 mile long
cut-off loop also on the south side. >>>
-Then look for CR3810 on the north side-a great 1.5 mile
trek. >>>
|
TX 390 heading SE out of Marshall to
TX 968 to the SE side of Longview MAY be
remnant of the Dixie Overland Highway and/or original 80. If
so, my 1930 & 34 maps
shows this stretch as already being bypassed.
|
Between Potters Creek and Cold Water Creek,
1940 county maps clearly show an old cut- off curve on the north
side, but no evidence remains today.
Cut-off loops are private property.
Road will dead end. A short hike will lead you to a great
vintage old iron bridge. Very picturesque. May be also
accessed from the west end where this curve rejoined newer 80.
|
|
4-lane U.S. 80 west thru Lansing to Longview. >>>
|
|
|
|
It appears as if the east
bound lanes are old 80. |
| 4-lane U.S. 80 past White Oak to Clarksville City. |
West end of Longview, look for 'Old Highway 80' to
the north of the current road (just past Silver Falls Rd.).
Will rejoin & cross U.S. 80 on curving Pelphrey Rd to the
south side to rejoin at Clarksville City. >>>
|
|
|
-This stretch of older 80 shows as being bypassed on
my 1939 county map.
-Look for Pelphrey immediately west of Lake Devernia.
|
| U.S. 80 to Gladewater. |
W. Old Highway 80 west out of Clarksville City to
just east of Gladewater. |
|
Is Pacific Ave by the RR tracks old 80? |
|
|
U.S. 80 to Big Sandy.
|
|
-Hwy 271 north out to W. Gay, then W. Gay out of
Gladewater.
-W. Gay ties into White Oak,
then Grove St. just
east of Big Sandy,
-South on Tyler to rejoin newer 80. |
|
The historic alignment was confirmed by Doc Rob in
Dallas per the Eastern Texas Tourism Association (hereafter referred
to as E.T.T.A.). Again, it appears as if this stretch was
bypassed by the 1937 map. Verified bypassed by a 1939 county
map.
|
|
U.S. 80 to Hawkins. |
|
-From Big Sandy, take Tyler St. (TX
155) north to FM 2911
-2911 west to just past the county line.
-FM 2659 back south to U.S. 80.
-80 west to Hawkins. |
|
-This FM2911 route had been bypassed by the 1934 map issuance.
This segment is a nice rural drive, but I guess by being bypassed
so early, the roadbed has since been re-built and has no real
vintage buildings/culverts/bridges to indicate that this was ever
80.
|
|
U.S. 80 west thru Hawkins..
4-lane 80
Past Angler...
Thru Fada &
Crow. >>>
|
Pick up Blackbourn St. on the east end of Hawkins
and take it west through town.
-Hook up with Old Highway 80 (CR 3419) NW out of town.
-Left (west) at CR 3400 to rejoin Hwy 80.
-In a very short distance, catch CR 3340 to the south side of
current 80. This will rejoin 80 in about a mile near Angler. |
|
|
CR 3419 to 3400 to 3340. Nice drives, but very little of
vintage remains on these stretches with the exception of an old
stone wall just on the south side of 4-lane 80 as you get on
CR3340
Eastbound lanes are old 80. |
|
4-lane U.S. 80 west thru Hoard...>>>
to Mineola.
|
-At the east edge of the small town of Hoard, take
TX 1801 NW through New Hope.
-Follow TX 1801 west where it will become Mimosa St. entering Mineola.
|
Just east of Hoard,
take County Road 2790 heading back to
the SE (where it dead-ends).
|
|
The 1939 county map clearly shows where
county road 2790 had several bridges that may still exist for
exploration.
Eastbound lanes are old 80.
|
| 4-lane U.S. 80 thru Mineola...
thru West Mineola.
|
-Mimosa St. to U.S. 80.
-West on newer 80
-Left on U.S. 69 one block, then right on Commerce. >>>
-Right turn on Lankford one block to U.S. 80, then west. |
|
West end of town, W. Loop 564, a possible early section line
road routing, heads due north, then west on Country Club to rejoin
80 at W. Mineola.
|
Commerce once connected with Mimosa |
| 4-lane U.S. 80 to Silver Lake. |
-Chase Road west to U.S. 80.
-Cross 80 to the NW. Continue on TX 2231 thru Ben.
-Road will veer SW and become County Rd. 2900. Dead end.
>>>
-Back to 80 west, cross the Sabine River, and take TX 1253
south.
-Immediate left onto CR4133 back east .5m to dead end near the
Sabine River.
Another very short segment just west of road TX 1253 on the
south side of current 80.
|
|
|
Presence of old bridges verifies the west-bound lanes west of
Mineola
At very end, small segment of old concrete with solid white
stripe still visible.
See Doc Rob photo on my Texas 80 pages! Old
Hwy 80 used to head almost due north and connect with County Rd. 2900.
|
|
4-lane U.S. 80 past Silver Lake to Grand Saline.
>>> |
|
-At Silverlake, take CR 1255 SW to the
junction with FR 1701.
-Take FR 1701 west
-junction of CR 857, take 857 NW to rejoin 80 on the east end of
Mineola. |
|
The FR 1701 alignment was bypassed by the time of the 1934
issuance, and apparently was never paved per the 1936 Van Zandt
County map.
Westbound lanes old 80. |
| 4-lane 80 into Grand Saline. |
80 thru Grand Saline |
E. & W. Frank St. thru Grand Saline.
|
|
Frank St. confirmed by Doc Rob & E.T.T.A.
However, this routing shows being bypassed on a 1936 Van Zandt
County map.
|
| 4-lane U.S. 80
thru Fruitvale >>>
to and thru
Edgewood. |
|
-In Fruitvale, take
4th St. south across the tracks, then west along the RR tracks on
W. Pacific until it dumps you out onto 4-lane 80.
W. Pacific would have tied into E. Front St. on the south side
of the RR in Edgewood. >>>
South on CR859 to rejoin 80 westbound.
|
FR1117 SW of Grand Saline Heading SW
may be an older incarnation of 80 or part of the Dixie Overland
Hwy. Then FR1117 will head back NW after becoming 3117 to tie into Front St. on the east side of Edgewood. |
-FR1117-3117 route theory identified and
brought forward by Doc Rob of Dallas. -The 1930 Hwy. Divisional maps and 1934 Paul's Sectional Maps of Texas clearly show 80
crossing to the south side of the RR tracks at Fruitvale and
heading straight to Edgewood and Wills Point, so maybe this FR1117
& 3117 idea is nothing...
-Eastbound lanes between Fruitvale and Grand saline is old 80.
-This Pacific St. - E. front St. routing was bypassed by the
time of the '34 map.
-Pacific Ave west of the RR overpass has been removed.
|
|
4-lane U.S. 80 thru Wills Point. >>>
|
|
-80 to CR 3523
-north across the tracks to N. Commerce.
-N. Commerce west into and through Wills Point...-to take 4th
St across the RR tracks and rejoin current 80 on the west side of town.
|
Is Houston St. heading SE off of the current U.S. 80 curve just
SE of Wills Point an
earlier routing? Looks like it could loop back up and tie
back in...
|
westbound lanes between Edgewood & Wills Point. |
| 4-lane U.S. 80 west thru Cobb, Frog and
Elmo. >>>
Under 1941 RR overpass
4-lane 80 through Terrell and west.
|
|
|
|
-westbound lanes are old
80 (proven by old bridges) until RR overpass west of Elmo.
-Note that even the 1930 maps show 80 jogging to the
north side of the tracks west of Elmo (about 1/2 way between Elmo
and Terrell).
Eastbound lanes are old 80 between Terrell & the 1941 RR
overpass.
|
4-lane U.S. 80 west to
the TX 557 junction where 80 becomes like an interstate.
>>>
As soon as possible, cross to the 80 south frontage road
heading west.
Follow new 80 NW past Forney.
and on into the Dallas area.
|
-On the SE side of Forney, stay on the south frontage road.
-Will become Broad St (Old Hwy 80) NW into town.
-Rejoin modern U.S. 80 north of town.
-as soon as possible, as new 4-lane 80 heads west again, take the
south frontage roads west as much as possible (thirties 80).
|
-take CR740 SW across the tracks down old Main St.
-head north on Trinity St.>>> Follow Trinity St
along its vintage concrete until it's cut-off by a
gate.>>>
-The road USED TO >>> wind its way westward along the
tracks to the county line.
-Backtrack to modern 80 northwest, and take the N. Beltline Loop
Road down into Mesquite to backtrack along Scyene (Trinity St.
became Scyene Rd. at the Dallas County line) until it dead ends if
you like. >>>
-Scyene Rd. along the tracks into Mesquite.
-North on Galloway St. to rejoin the current 80 south frontage
road.
-South frontage road west into the Dallas area.
|
Main & Pacific streets an early incarnation?
|
-Eastbound lanes proven by
1936/37 culvert placards on the eastbound lanes east of TX557 in
the Lawrence area.
-The 'historic' routing comes from a 1930 Highway Divisional
map and the 'older' routing was determined from a 1939 Kaufman
County map.
In the park just as you turn north onto Trinity, look for the
old Auto Tour historical placard.
Old 80 beyond this gate is now private property owned by the
Forney Police Department. The road is washed out and gone
down by the river anyway. Backtrack to newer 80.
Mostly weedy, woody semi-rural area-for the 'must see every
inch' enthusiast only.
The routing followed by old 80 was generally known as State Highway 15
and followed the Dixie Overland Trail routing in the
eastern portion of the state until its merger with the Bankhead Highway (BHH or
State Highway 1) in the Dallas area.
|
|
Dallas Area:
-U.S. 80 into the Dallas area and under the I-635 overpass.
-Just beyond the Westover Greenbelt, continue due west on Samuel.
>>>
-West on Samuel paralleling I-30.
-Samuel to E Grand Ave. Turn SW (left).
-SW on Grand to S. Haskell. Turn right (west). Then
veer immediate right (due to 1-way restrictions) onto Stonewall
St. >>>
-Stonewall St. to Parry Ave. Left on Parry.
-Right turn on Commerce. >>>
-Cross Main, then an immediate right (N) on Exposition.
-Left on Elm (Commerce became 1-way eastbound).>>>
-Just past Dallas County Historical Plaza, head south over the
Trinity River on the Houston Street Viaduct to Zang Blvd.
-Zang Blvd. south to Davis Street. Turn west (right).
-West on Davis to where Fort Worth Ave. (Business 80) merges
into Davis coming in from the NE.
-West on Davis St.\thru Arcadia Park and under the Loop 12
highway.
|
West on Commerce>>>
|
West on Commerce>>>
|
|
The Bankhead Highway (BHH) was part of the 'Broadway of
America'. As such, it was one of the original 'named' routes.
In addition, it was known as Texas State Highway 1 for the
entire length of Texas and much of it (downtown Dallas and on
west) became original 80 in
1926-27.
This Samuel-Grand-Haskell-Commerce - Zang-Davis routing has
been 80 since the beginning per a 1927 City of Dallas map.
Original 80 was on Haskell, but by 1961, S.
Haskell was one-way eastbound and Stonewall was 80 westbound...
It appears that by 1922, the BHH route had shifted
from Main to Commerce (Commerce & Ervay to be exact).
Therefore, it is likely original 80 started on Commerce, NOT Main
as previously supposed...addendum 3/31/05: a 1927 Dallas St.
map confirms
a) Commerce as original 80
b) Davis has always been 80 (Jefferson bypassed).
-By 1961, 80 was one-way west on Elm, one-way east
on Commerce.
Dallas Business 80:
-Past the historical plaza, do not turn south, but
cross the Trinity River on Commerce St.
-At the junction of Commerce and Fort Worth, veer SW onto Fort
Worth.
-Continue on Ft. Worth Ave. until Business 80 rejoins older 80 at Davis St.
**Note** original Business 80 went two blocks west
on W. Commerce, then south on what is now Topeka where it rejoined
Ft. Worth Ave.
|
|
Grand Prairie Area:
-Once past the Loop 12 highway, Davis St. becomes Main.
-Continue west thru town.
Arlington Area:
-Once past Highway 360, Main becomes Division
Street. Continue west past the General Motors Assembly
Plant.
-Follow Division St. west thru Arlington.
Handley Area:
-Once past West Green Oaks Blvd, Division St. becomes
Lancaster.
-Continue west on Lancaster thru Handley and past I-820 and I-35.
Fort Worth Area:
-Continue west on Lancaster into the Fort Worth area under the
huge I-30 & I-35W interchange.
-West on Lancaster over the great 1938 Trinity River bridge to the Camp Bowie intersection. >>>
-SW on
Camp Bowie.>>>
-Under I-30 to Camp Bowie West (old 80). Turn right (west).
-Follow Camp Bowie West >>> (TX580) past the I-820 overpass.
-Camp Bowie West thru Westland to where old 80 eventually becomes subsumed
by I-30.
|
In from Dallas on Lancaster (formerly Front St.)
-North on Commerce to 7th.>>>
-West on 7th to Camp Bowie
|
-In from Dallas on Lancaster (formerly Front St.)
-North on Main to 7th.>>>
-West on 7th to Camp Bowie
Just west Parker County line, orig. BHH veered slightly SW of
I-30...
|
Just west of the Union
Pacific tracks west of the TX 12 overpass, watch for Small
St. heading due west.
-Small St. west to Davis.
-Angle SW on Davis to rejoin Main St. west. >>>
see note>>>
|
This Small & Davis St. routing was bypassed by '34.
Main is now blocked by the huge convention center area.
By its bypassing in 1938, downtown Ft. Worth had 80 one-way
northbound on Commerce, one-way southbound on Houston.
The 1938 bridge over the Trinity Park area has terrific old bull
sculptures embedded in it!
Camp Bowie Blvd. is a terrific brick boulevard.
1922 -as-builts' show that prior to 1922, Texas Highway 1
(generally the BHH) went further SW to Chapin Rd., then Chapin Rd.
west just past Mary's Creek then NW to follow the BHH route as we
know it west.
Possibly, Old Weatherford Rd. may be an
incarnation of the old Dixie Overland Highway, but even by 1922,
Texas Highway 1 basically followed the route old 80 did by leaving town on the Camp Bowie West alignment.
This possible component of the Dixie Overland Trail can be reached by taking exit 420 north
approx. 1 mile, then east.
|
| I-30 to I-20
Take the Hudson Oaks exit (exit 415), the
Fort Worth Highway west...
Hwy 180 (Fort Worth Highway) into Weatherford.
|
|
-Take I-20 exit 420 south approx. 1 mile, then a
right (west) on E. BHH >>>.
-Follow road NW to I-20 south service road (eastbound only).
Unfortunately, you have to backtrack to exit 420 & I-20 west >>>
-At I-20 exit 415, take Annetta Rd. south 3/4 of a mile, and take
a right on the BHH. Follow this fine road west then NW past
I-20 exit 410 all the way past the Pythian Home and into
Weatherford proper and the junction of the Fort Worth Hwy and U.S.
180.
|
|
the segment of BHH that
veered SW off of I-30 emerges at County 1187 right where there is
a gate and a small oil tank on the east side of the road about
1mile south of I-20.
you could take I-20 east to exit 410 and head back east to
capture this whole exquisite segment of BHH! A real MUST
SEE!
|
| Follow the traffic circle around the
great old courthouse, and follow Palo Pinto St. west through Weatherford |
|
|
|
|
Leaving Weatherford westbound, BIG CHOICE!
Major Divergence.
Follow Historic ('26-'39) 80 (which became 1939 Alternate 80) through Mineral Wells
here.
This ties into 1932-1943 Historic Alternate 80 (one section below)
*OR*
newer (1939) 80 SW out of Weatherford (two sections below)!
|
|
Follow 180 west out of Weatherford.
180 through Cool...
180 into Mineral Wells
|
|
-In Weatherford, as
Palo Pinto St. heads west out of town, stay right at the 'Y' to
take the Mineral Wells Highway (U.S. 180).
-Within 3/4 of a mile, look to the right and take "Bankhead
Drive" to the NW past the water tower.
-Bankhead Drive will curve back SW, cross the newer Mineral
Wells Hwy (now U.S. 180), and take you thru the old town of Fox
Creek (now just called Fox).>>>
-Continue on, and the road becomes 'Old Millsap Road'.
Follow this to Millsap.
-Cross the RR tracks and head west out of Millsap on the Millsap Highway
(TX 3028).
-The road will veer NW then due north into Mineral
Wells where you will intersect with current U.S. 180.
-Left (west) onto U.S. 180 thru town.
|
Old right angle roads into/out of Surdivant may be an old
section line routing...
|
This routing became an extension
of 'Alternate 80 in
1939 when this segment was merged with the already existing Alt. 80 that had
previously been created in 1932 further west at Metcalf Gap. The entire alternate
80 routing was eliminated in 1943 when it became
a part of newly created U.S. 180.
Even early Texas State Highway 1 split here and followed this
historical 80 routing!
This is a great country drive, so if you only have time to explore
one of these two routes, make it this one!
|
|
U.S. 180 west...
past the Brazos River...
180 into Palo Pinto...
180 SW to the 'Y' junction with Texas 16.
Left (south) on Texas 16.
|
|
-West out of Mineral
Wells on current U.S. 180.
-Just past TX 337 west of town and as U.S. 180 begins to
veer to the SW, look to the north side of the road to catch a 1.1 mile
long stretch of the E. Bankhead Highway.
-Back on U.S. 180...
-Just over the bridge, also look to the north side for a .6 mile
stretch of the W. BHH.
-Back on U.S. 180, then immediately, look to the south for Brazos
Heights Rd >>>.
Past Brazos Heights Rd., look for the old road to your
right. Will emerge at the top of the hill just past the rock
cut.
-Just past Harrington Rd., look for a cut off loop on the south
side >>>.
-At the old A/P, look to the right to see old 80 (Rhodes Ranch Rd.)
coming in from the NE (gated).
-Follow 180 to Palo Pinto.
-At the east end of town, veer left to follow Oak St. through
town.
-Rejoin 180 on the west end of town.
-Continue on current U.S. 180 as it veers to the SW.
-Look for at least three cutoff (and gated) curves of the old BHH (now called
R-O Bell Rd.) on the north side of the highway near the Mill
Branch of Eagle Creek. >>>
-Continue SW to the 'Y' >>> intersection with Texas 16 just
north of the tiny town of Metcalf Gap.
-Left (south) onto Texas 16 towards Strawn.
|
|
West of Mineral Wells, a proposed 1923 Highway Plan pegs this
stretch of old road as Original 80!
Both of these stretches of the old Bankhead Highway
will reconnect with 180...no back-tracking.
Can go .6 mile before becomes private property.
Backtracking required.
Lots of cut off loops in here to Palo Pinto
Be sure to check out the great deco sign at the Palo Pinto
Cafe!
Prior to the new (in '24-25) highway, the old BHH went south
just past Eagle Creek to 'stairstep' its way down to Strawn.
It followed roads that mapquest now calls: FM919 to Cantey Rd.
(west) to Lane Bend Rd (south) to Church House Rd. (west) to two
unnamed steps down to TX 16.
The original 'Y' intersection appears to have been further east
of today's newer intersection.
NOTE: at this 'Y' intersection is where Historic
Alternate 80
(1932 version) headed westward through Breckenridge then SW into Abilene.
The entire alternate routing was eliminated and became a part of U.S.
180 in 1943.
|
|
0-Thru Strawn on Texas 16 south to the intersection of I-20 where
you will rejoin newer (1939) 80. |
|
-Follow Texas 16 south thru Metcalf Gap and on into
Strawn.
Through Strawn on TX 16.
Just south of the Eastland County Line, you
will see a road continuing straight as TX 16 veers to the
right. This is Old Strawn Rd. and will connect to the north
frontage east of exit 361. >>>
|
|
This is terrific country with rolling green hills,
Oak trees and plenty of wild flowers in the spring.
Unfortunately, all of the bridges/culverts have been
replaced/modernized so Doc Rob & I could not verify any road
construction dates.
Prior to the '24-25 new highway, the BHH came into Strawn on Palo
Pinto Ave to cross the RR then west on S front St. out of town
along the RR towards Ranger. Per 1923 proposed plans.
Strawn seems to be a nice small town that has resisted the
extreme commercialization so rampant elsewhere. Be sure to
check out the Bankhead Hotel & Apartments downtown, and the
fantastic old brick hotel/ motor court/ store/ station complex on
the north end of town now used as a headstone business (west side
of road).
A 1948 map shows the Old Strawn Road connection, but bypassed by a
1959 map. |
| Historic
Alternate 80 Alignment (1932-1943)
West from Metcalf Gap thru Breckenridge and Albany then SW
into Abilene to rejoin original 80.
|
|
Right at the 'Y' and follow 180/Texas 16 north.
Past Brad on 180.
Follow 180 past the 'Y' going to Caddo.
Modern 180 to the outskirts of Breckenridge.
|
-At the aforementioned 'Y', stay right
and follow current U.S. 180 as it curves back to the
NW.
-at 1/2 mile, look to the south for a short driveway which will
lead to a locked gate. Alas, private property and
denied. This is a terrific tree covered stretch of old
80 with a long 1930's era concrete bridge spanning the south fork
of Ioni Creek.
-After a third of a mile, look to the north for another fine
abandoned bridge. This abandoned segment goes on for roughly
a mile before tying back into the existing road.
-After another mile and 1/2, look to the north side for another
gated stretch of road, though a great photo op presents itself in
the form of another 30's era bridge with a cliff for a backdrop.
-Another mile, and as you climb a gentle rock cut hill, look to
the right for a brief glimpse of a crumbling, 30's vine covered
bridge.
-This bypassed stretch would tie back in from the right at the top
of the hill curve just east of
Brad.
-Past Brad on 180.
-One mile west of Brad, look for old 80 veering off to the
right past gated 1898 United Methodist Church property.
-One and 1/2 miles later, look to the north for this stretch of 80
to merge back in from the right.
-The road crosses to the south side and immediately veers westward
and parallels the existing road for roughly a mile and 1/4 before
merging back into the existing road.
At the 'Y', take Ste Loop 252 through Caddo. Be sure to stop
in at the Caddo Mercantile.
same
|
|
Note: in just 300
yards or so, a mile long stretch of road parallels modern 180 just
to the south. Original 80? BHH? It looks like this road would
tie into the curve at the TX 16 south junction but the 1934 & 36 maps don't
seem to support this...
|
This segment was merged with the historic
Mineral Wells segment of 80 in 1939 to create a longer Alternate
80 routing.
The entire alternate routing was eliminated and became a part of U.S. 180 in
1943.
Though this exquisite stretch of road is on private property,
there are still may photo ops from the road and the gate.
Good photo op with the cliff background and the 30's era vine
covered bridge.
This stretch of gated 80 is in pristine condition with faded
solid white stripe still clearly visible.
Though this stretch is gated as well, though another 30's era bridge
and photo ops from the fence side abound.
The Caddo Mercantile was built in the early 40's and inside has
friendly folks and many pics of Caddo back in the teens
and twenties. Hard to imagine that at one time, this
little stop in the road was once a booming oil town of over 10,000
folks.
|
|
Take modern U.S. 180 thru town and beyond.
Modern 180 across the Hubbard Creek Reservoir.
|
Just east of the reservoir on the north side, check out a 1/2 mile stretch of bypassed curve.
Closer to the water, it is
gated and part of a boat launch.
Old 80 is submerged under the reservoir!
|
|
-About a 1/2 mile before you reach the lake, look for a short, very
probable tie in to Old Albany rd. heading back to the SE on the
south side of the road.
|
Though Elliot looks very
plausible on a map, actual roadwork seems to indicate
otherwise...no old buildings/culverts...nada to ever indicate
anything more than residential.
-but-
By the nomenclature, I wonder if the Elliott/Old Albany Rd.
connection isn't a remnant of the Bankhead Highway. If so
however, it is clear on the 34 and 36 maps that this route was no
longer in use by that time.
This bypassed curve and road is another pristine stretch of
30's era road with the faded solid center line still clearly
visible.
|
|
Take modern 180 into Albany.
Modern 180 south then west out of town.
|
.7 miles west of Albany, look to the right to see old 80
veering off onto the Newell Ranch. If the gate is closed,
respect private property.
|
|
-About 5 miles east
of Albany, take TX 117 to the SW for approx. 2.5 miles.
-At the junction with TX 119, take TX 119 west into Albany.
-TX 119 will become Breckenridge St. in town.
-Follow Breckenridge St. until the junction with modern
180. |
This possible routing had been bypassed by the 30/34/36 maps,
but again, the nomenclature of "Breckenridge Road" seems
to imply some sort of early tie in. My 1924 Clason's map
also seems to imply this routing. BHH era road?
Stagecoach road?
General note: Albany has done a great job of preserving its
heritage. Plan on spending some time here exploring the
great downtown area around the courthouse.
|
| U.S. 180 west out of Albany.
180 to the junction with TX 351 southwest...
|
4-5 miles west of Albany, look for
Private Rd. 2310 looping off to the NW. It will loop back
around to the south before being cut off. Back track to 180.
>>>
Old 80 appears to have been subsumed by the 180 westbound lanes
at this junction.
|
|
About three miles
west of Albany on modern 180, look to the south for a possible stretch of
original highway branching off to the south then re-merging with modern 180 in
about 2.5 miles.
|
This road dead ends after almost exactly one mile-right before
it would have re-merged with modern 180.
Terraserver clearly shows another bypassed curve on the north
side of the road just west of this one, but I missed it to see if
it was accessible or not.
|
TX 351 SW towards Hamby and Abilene.
|
Three miles south of the U.S. 180 and
TX 351 junction, look to the east side of the road for a two mile
long stretch of bypassed roadbed with many culverts.
In another 3 miles, modern TX 351 bisects an old Hwy 80 shallow
'S' curve. Look for abandoned roadway to the east, then the
old road crosses and parallels you on the right. Awesome
bridge pic available at Spring Creek.
TX 351 past Hamby and the junction of several county
lines.
-TX 351 into Abilene.
-TX 351 past Treadaway (current Bus 83) to Pine St. (original U.S.
83 routing).
-South on Pine.
-West on 6th (see note >>>>)
-South on Cedar under the RR tracks to the junction with 1st St
(now TX 355).
|
|
It's possible (indeed, probable) that original
80 followed the BHH routing and stayed on Pine under the RR
overpass to merge with South 1st St. westbound. |
TIP!
Look for the high capacity transmission towers marching across the
fields and road to find this stretch!
I se no evidence that a section line routing ever went through
Hamby.
-1927 F.A.P. markers at the Jones County line (both sides).
-1927 F.A.P. markers at the Callahan County line (both sides).
-1928 F.A.P. marker at the Callahan/Taylor County line
(west side).
5th was the historical routing, but is now 1-way the wrong way. |
|
Newer (1939) 80 SW out of Weatherford...
|
|
-At the 'Y' with the Mineral Wells Highway, stay
left and follow Spur 312 (the Ranger Highway) SW out of town.
-Spur 312 will eventually merge with I-20 (exit 402) heading to the SW.
Veer right and stay on the
I-20 north frontage road.
|
|
|
Though suspicious, the Old Brock Road heading SW out of Weatherford
was never 80.
An immediate old concrete bridge on the north frontage verifies
this section of roadway.
|
|
-Follow the north frontage road west through Brock
Junction.
North frontage over the great Brazos River Bridge.>>>
-Continue on the north frontage past New Salem to the
junction of U.S. 281. >>>
-North frontage past the Bosley Rd. overpass >>>
-to exit
380. Over I-20 to the south frontage. >>>
-South frontage road west to exit 376. >>>
-Cross I-20 and meet Panama Rd. and the RR tracks.>>>
-North frontage and the old pole line west to exit 373 and Gordon
Junction.
-Continue on north frontage west to Thurber.
-At exit 367 just west of Thurber, cross to the south frontage.
-South frontage west. >>>
-Exit 363. Go to the north frontage road and
backtrack >>> east to the Eastland County line and the
great 1934 Palo Pinto Creek bridge.
-Back to exit 363 and take south frontage west .5 miles to the
great 1934 Bear Creek bridge.
-Back to I-20 to exit 361.
|
|
|
The north frontage road is verified as old 80 by
the number of 30's era bridges on this on this
stretch.
The Catfish Cafe on the SEC of the Brazos River Bridge has been
around for 60 years. Stop in and say hi, get some catfish
and puppies while you admire the many vintage photos of the local
buildings on the wall.
More concrete brides and several nice stone structures attest
to the validity of the north frontage.
Once past U.S. 281, though no real road evidence remains, I-20
'as-builts' confirm the north frontage!
-Per I-20 'as-builts', just east of exit 380 where I-20 veers a
little more westward, old 80 cut across and became the south
frontage road. Proved in that the very first south frontage
road culvert west of exit 380 has a 1934 placard embedded on its north
face.
-However, this south frontage road only lasts about 1.5 miles,
because just west of the Big sandy Creek crossing, where I-20
veers SW again, old 80 crossed back over to become the north frontage.
You can pick this up again at exit 376.
Though never 80, the RR and road coming from Santo was indeed
an early major road. You can still see early asphalt on the
north side of the RR tracks.
I've come across an old postcard on E-Bay that clearly shows
old 80 where the I-20 north frontage road is-at least in the
immediate vicinity of the Thurber smokestack & Inn. I-20
'as-builts' confirm this.
An examination of the Turkey Creek Bridge will show one that
this bridge obviously USED to have the wider rounded 'flared'
concrete approach railing typical of many earlier bridges.
I-20 'as-builts' once again confirm that old 80 crossed to the
south side at the I-20 curve just west of exit 367.
It is obvious that old 80 was more twisty than modern
I-20 through this area as the jumping from one service road to the
other indicates. For example, the great 1934 Palo Pinto
Creek bridge is on a very small cut off curve (proved by I-20
'as-builts') as old 80 is the south frontage road on both sides of
this bridge.
|
|
Re-joining of the historic (1926-1939) and newer
(1939 & on) 80
alignments @ Texas 16 & I-20
|
| Exit 361: I-20
westbound
through the rock cut
and up 'Ranger Hill' >>>
I-20 westbound to exit 354 (1952 4-lane 80).
>>>
Continue on Loop 254 to the I-20 north frontage.
-North frontage road west. >>>
|
-Original 80 thru
circa 1945-46 followed winding route up Ranger Hill north of
present road. >>>
-Exit 358. Just
as you merge onto the north frontage, look right and see a great
strip of original 80 marching east. >>>
-Back on I-20 westbound to exit 354. >>>
Exit 354 into Ranger Hill past the great old stone courts (right)
and old truck stop (left).
-Loop 254 into Ranger.
-Follow curve left past the abandoned drive in (R).
-Loop 254 south out of town to the junction with County 449.
-Veer right onto County 449 (old brick!) to the I-20 north service
road. >>>
-I-20 north service road west. >>>
|
-East side of town, at junction of Blundell & Strawn Rd veer left onto
diagonal Strawn Rd and stay left to Hunt.
-Right on Hunt
-Left on Oak
-Right (West) on Main
-Left on Loop 254
-Parallel RR until junction on CR 449. Veer right onto CR
449 & follow brick road to I-20 north frontage. >>>
|
-East side of town, at junction of Blundell & Strawn Rd veer left onto
diagonal Strawn Rd and stay left to Hunt..
- Right on Hunt
-Left on Oak
-Right (West) on Main
-Left on Loop 254
-Right on Main across RR >>>
- immediate left (
south) on Commerce.
|
-There's an old
Stuckey's on the SWC of the junction of I-20 and TX 16.
-Exit 361: north frontage west to dead end. A short hike
will show you the old road on the other side of the gate veering
NW to start its climb up Ranger Hill.
-1944 proposed plans for new 80 up hill
-1948 maps clearly shows Ranger Hill bypassed. Newer 80
became westbound 4-lane 80 west of Bear Creek which became westbound I-20.
-Though private property, still a great photo op from the
gate. This would have tied into the road you saw if you
hiked to the old road at the bottom of Ranger Hill.
-1932 Hwy 80 and later I-20 'as-builts' verify original 80 became
1955 4-lane 80 westbound
which was overlaid by I-20 westbound past Ranger Hill.
The Main St. intersection has been reworked so you can't follow
this original route exactly...
County 449 is wavy and bumpy, but vintage 1923 & on BHH & old 80!
I-20 'as-builts' confirm that original 80 became westbound 1952
4-lane 80 which became I-20 north frontage between here & 3363
into Olden. verified by presence of an old rail-type D
concrete bridge on the north frontage just west of the Ranger
exit.
1922 BHH between Ranger & Eastland:
(bypassed with the construction of the 1923 RR overpass
on S. Commerce):
 | Main west out of Ranger |
| Veer left on TX 101 (Eastland Hill Rd) |
| Left on CR 455 |
| Immediate right on CR 454 |
| CR 454 as it heads SW through a couple of diagonals |
| South on CR 452 |
| at east 'zig' in CR 452, probable BHH ruts seen heading west
from fence (private prop). |
| These ruts would have turned south to join CR 436 for run
west then south across RR to rejoin 1923 BHH & orig. 80
coming into Eastland. |
|
|
I-20 north frontage past Olden (1952 4-lane 80 westbound became
n. frontage, 1952 eastbound 80 became I-20 westbound lanes).
-North frontage to exit 343 (TX 112). >>>
-TX 112 into downtown.
|
I-20 north frontage road towards Olden.
-Through
Olden on RR 3363.
-Veer right to gate as 3363 swings south to I-20 >>>
-South to SW to hook up with the I-20 north
frontage road west just a very short stretch.
North frontage to exit 343. >>>
-TX 112 towards Eastland -but-in just 1/2 a block on TX 112, head
right on a 1.4 mile stretch of the old BHH back to the NE and Olden. >>>
-Back west to rejoin TX 112 (Main St.) into Eastland.
Downtown Eastland, follow TX 6 west out of town.
4-lane TX 6 through the open country to Cisco.
|
As 80 turns to the SW leaving town, pay attention to a cut off
curve of old brickwork! |
Downtown Eastland,, left one block on TX 6 at the courthouse,
then an immediate right onto Commerce west out of town.
>>>
|
Fantastic find! This
last stretch through Olden is original
brick road with an asphalt overlay that is gone in several spots
revealing the brickwork underneath. This road used to
connect with a similar stretch of road heading back NE out of
Eastland that is identified as Old BHH!
Our 1922 BHH map clearly shows 1922 BHH heading west out of
Ranger, then following the county 'stair-step' roads down to
Eastland.
I-20 'as-builts' clearly show that 1952 4-lane 80 westbound
lanes became the I-20 north frontage west of 3363 into Olden to TX
112.
Though now dead-ending at the Eastland Oil Co. grounds, it's
obvious that this is the continuation of the broken asphalt over
brick road you were just on in Olden.
Commerce St. through Eastland is all brick and really gives one
the feel for an old road.
Commerce bypassed by 1930. Look for the great stone
courts at the junction of Commerce and newer 80 at the west edge
of town.
|
|
-Downtown Cisco, where TX 6 heads north, continue west on TX
206 (8th St.).
-Continue SW on TX 206
I-20 west... (actually the eastbound lanes) >>>
I-20 west to Putnam. |
Follow TX 6 around that
long curve into Cisco.
-Downtown Cisco, where TX 6 heads north, continue west on TX
206 (8th St.).
-At the 'Y' intersection on the west side of Cisco, stay right on
Ranch Road 2945.
-Follow RR 2945 as it veers west along the RR tracks.
>>>
-RR 2945 west along the
Missouri Pacific RR tracks >>> for roughly 10 miles until it intersects (and
becomes) Ranch Road 880 near I-20 MM320.
-Ranch Road 880 towards Putnam.
|
-At the east end of Cisco,
TX 6 veers NW on a long curve. Turn left (west) onto E 16th
St. which is exquisite old brickwork!
-Follow the brickwork and E16th into town.
-Right (NW) onto Beech
-Left (SW) onto E. 14th.
-Right (NW) onto U.S. 183.
-Cross Main St. (newer 80) and take TX 6 north 5 blocks.
-Left on 3rd
-Right on Ave J
-Follow Ave J past the cemetery and left (west) along the tracks. Dead ends (gated
private property) where
it would have merged with newer 80-backtrack to newer 80 downtown.In
the middle of the concrete bridge, look over the south railing to
see the original grade crossing. Just over the bridge, look low to your left to
see where this crossing tied back in.
|
-At the east end of Cisco,
TX 6 veers NW on a long curve. Turn left (west) onto E 16th
St. which is exquisite old brickwork!
-Follow the brickwork and E16th into town.
-Follow curve right-will become Ave. B
-continue past newer 80.
-Left (SW) onto U.S. 183 (6th St)
-Cross Main St. on 6th St. to the SW to Ave. J.
-Right on Ave J
-Follow Ave J past the cemetery and left (west) along the tracks. Dead ends (gated
private property) where
it would have merged with newer 80
|
This historic routing has been verified
by the 1922 BHH map, and the 1930 and
1934 Highway Divisional maps. Actual roadwork verifies
original BHH era brickwork!
RR2945 routing verified by the 1934 Paul's Sectional Maps and 1936
county map.
As RR 2945 veers westward along the tracks, look to the right
and you can see where the historic alignment would have merged
with the newer road.
Leaving Cisco somewhere on the NW side, the 1922
BHH map shows the old road further north of the RR tracks than old
80. It eventually followed the 90-degree roads down into Putnam.
-1922 as-builts show RR 2945 as 'proposed'.
Per a 1963 interstate 'As-Built' plan, U.S. 80 became the I-20
eastbound lanes from the Callahan County line to Cisco.
A fine drive through open rangeland with the old pole lines
along the RR track. Like being in a time warp.
|
|
I-20 exit 319 into Putnam.
-I-20 or the north frontage west. >>>
At exit 308, take State Loop 425 into Baird. >>>
|
-Heading into Putnam, stay left at the
'Y' with TX 322 & 324.
-Take 324 SW into Putnam (will become Travis St.)
-Travis thru Putnam
-Travis St. will become Finley Road west of Putnam.
-Stay on Finley Rd. >>> until it re-merges with I-20 near MM310.-Cross under the interstate at MM310, take the frontage road
west to the gate. You can see where old 80 went south around
this large hill with the towers on it.
(Italicized instructions indicate areas inaccessible.)
-It will dip SW to the tracks, then curve back NW.
-There once were two bridges where the 'thumb' of Mexia Creek
pokes up north.
At exit 308, cross I-20, and take the ramp east as if
you were getting onto I-20 eastbound. -Turn right just
at the last second over the old concrete bridge and onto
Ivey Rd. -Ivey Rd straight across at the junction of Loop
425.
-Road will veer SW and rejoin Loop 425 & rejoin newer 80 (E.
4th. St) into Baird.
|
Where the road veers SW, it is obvious per the '36 map that the road once ran
straight here (to 6th St.), but where it tied into town is
unclear.
|
Though apparently not ever paved by
1940, TX 322 straight west and then south
into Putnam seems a very likely early alignment-BHH era??
|
Unknown if any of the I-20 access roads are the last
incarnation of 80 or not. We spent our time driving the
fantastic TX 6 and 12 mile Finlay Rd. stretches through here!
The Finlay Rd. stretch is an exquisite stretch & a MUST
SEE! Johnsie Allen and her family once owned &
operated the Lone Star Garage and Tourist Court/ Hamburger stand
at Deep Creek. All that remains now is the shell of the garage.
Per the 1936 county map, it is quite clear that there were two
bridges crossing Mexia Creek at the narrow 'thumb' just east of
Baird (by current I-20 exit 308). This area is inaccessible.
It appears that there were at least three incarnations of 80 coming
around this radio tower hill into Baird:
1) The italicized described alignment described with the
two bridges over Mexia Creek
2) A later alignment going around the north side of Mexia Creek
and then back SW over the Ivey Rd. concrete bridge (a post 1940
incarnation-bypassed by the '61 map)
3) The Loop 425 routing.
|
|
State Loop 425 will become E. 4th Street thru
Baird & will re-connect
with I-20.
I-20 south frontage road west to Clyde. >>>
|
-4th St. into Baird.
-Market St. south one
block to 3rd.
-Take Third street west out of town, under the RR tracks where it
will become RR 18. >>>
-Follow RR 18 west.
-5.5 miles out of Baird, follow RR 18 north into Clyde.
|
|
|
This Ranch Road 18 routing verified by the 1934 & 36 maps.
Tom Jones of the Abilene TXDOT district office has verified
that the I-20 south frontage was newer 80 all the way from Baird
into Abilene.
|
| I-20 south frontage west past Clyde.
I-20 south frontage west past Elmdale exit. |
-Take S. 1st St. west out of Clyde along
the tracks.
-S. 1st will again become RR 18.
RR18 past the Taylor County line. >>>
-Continue on RR 18 west thru Elmdale. |
|
|
The 1922 BHH map shows the old BHH on the north side of the
tracks from just west of Clyde to just east of Elmdale. I
didn't see any evidence of this today...
Note the 1927 F.A.P. marker on the north side of the road at the Taylor
County line!
|
-I-20 south frontage west to Abilene.
-Exit 292A to take Business 20 into Abilene.
-Bus. 20 to Treadaway (Business 83).
-South on Treadaway (Bus. 83) under the tracks
-Take 1st St. (Business 20) west. |
Intersection of TX 36 by the Abilene airport.
-Take TX 36
(Wise St.) west into town. >>>
-Turn north on U.S. 83 (S. Treadaway) towards downtown.
-Take S. 1st. St. (Business 20) west.
|
|
Note, before the Treadaway (Bus 83) alignment, a post Oak
St. version of 80 may have come into the east side of town like
modern 80 but turned south onto Pine across the tracks and west on
S. 1st St.
|
Again, this TX 36 routing verified by the 1936 county map.
NOTE: Prior to the airport being expanded, RR 18 joined up
with what is now known as Lytle Way curving up past Lytle Lake to
join TX 36 into town.
|
|
Rejoining of the 1932-43 Alternate 80 from
Breckenridge/Albany back into the main trunk routing in Abilene.
All roads rejoined on S. 1st. St. |
|
On to 'Drive West Texas'!
|
