This was it...the moment of truth.  Today, this intersection in Weatherford is identified as the junction of U.S. 180 & Spur 312-not very important sounding.  But a while back, this was a major divergence for one of the great transcontinental highways.  Spur 312 heading off to the SW is the remnant of (then) newer 80 which officially opened in 1939.  At that time, historic 80 became another segment of Alternate 80.  The whole alternate routing became U.S. 180 in 1943.  This is how this important junction looks today.  We will veer right here and take the historic alignment of 80 to the west out of town.  But before you leave town, be sure to gawk to the right to capture the old drive in.

     Leaving Weatherford, yet another one of those confounding choices crops up.  Luckily for you, the traveling roadie, you won't go wrong with either decision.  At the west end of town by the drive in, look for the Weatherford water tower on your right.  You can take Bankhead Drive to the right past the water tower or you can continue on.  If you have the time, I'd suggest the older Bankhead Drive routing.  Obviously, Bankhead Drive was part of the old Bankhead Highway and was original 80 until replaced by the newer Mineral Wells Highway (U.S. 180).  180 is a more direct route, but lets start off by taking the more leisurely approach and follow the winding  Bankhead Drive northwest.  The presence of several old concrete bridges is a sure fire indication you are on the right road.  The road will gradually veer wets then SW and will cross highway 180 and become the Old Millsap Road.  At this point, slow down, relax, and pretend you are back in time.  The narrow road, the rural setting and the large oaks in pastures make for a serene drive.  As you roll into the little burg of Millsap, contemplate how hard the bypassing of this area must have been to these folks.  Luckily, as these brightly colored store fronts on Main St. attest, there are still some folks with a little zest and spunk left in Millsap! 

     I was lucky.  I had the time to explore both the older and newer routings.  From my experiences, I came to the conclusion that though the older routing was more scenic, the newer alignment is certainly more convenient.  How come these two varieties of road never seem to coincide?  Don't get me wrong, the newer Mineral Wells Highway bisects some fine rolling countryside (see pic), but the older routing is where I'd spend my time if you can only take one alignment due to time constraints.  From my notes and the location of roadside businesses that appear to have been along this newer 80 for awhile, I'm guessing that the westbound (or north) lanes were original 80 through the area.  Be on the lookout for some grand vistas to the west as you roller coaster your way towards Mineral Wells.  You can see the Baker Hotel from 20 miles out. 

     Mineral Wells.  What a sad story.  The presence of the grand Baker Hotel, the many large brick buildings downtown, and the many fine large, private residences in several of the surrounding well kept neighborhoods attest to a more industrious, prosperous time for Mineral Wells.  It has never really recovered from it's bypassing in 1939.  This is a blessing in one respect for us roadies...since there hasn't been such a development boom, many relics remain for us to enjoy today.  For example, coming into town from the east on the newer Mineral Wells Highway alignment, one will pass this old abandoned station on the left.  Further along, be sure to capture the great 60's era sign for Mountainaire Lanes.  Leaving town to the west, there a couple of exquisite stretches of bypassed Bankhead Highway and older 80 to be had.  For example, just west of the newer Brazos Heights subdivision and through a small rock cut, check out this fine bypassed stretch of vintage highway on the right.   Blocked off and on private property, this stretch is unfortunately inaccessible.  By the way, I would seriously advise heeding the 'No Trespassing' signs when encountered.  You may run into one of Texas's famous icons...the Longhorn Bull like this here fella.  I don't want to race him back to the car!

     Plan your trip so you have plenty of time to spend in the Palo Pinto area...you'll need it as there are tons of goodies to be had in here!  For example, just east of Palo Pinto, look to the north and check out the abandoned airfield.  And sneaking in behind you from the right?  Old 80 of course (see pic)!  Now known as Rhodes Ranch Road, this stretch is unfortunately inaccessible, but still, some great photos can be had from the gate.  As Hwy 180 approaches Palo Pinto proper, be sure to keep looking to the left and take Oak St. (original 80) through town.  You will be rewarded with a terrific old Main St. complete with vintage gas stations, a historic church and courthouse, and an old row of turn of the century store fronts.  Be sure to get out, stretch, and read the many historical placards.  Back on the main drag, perhaps if you're lucky, you'll be able to catch the Palo Pinto Cafe open for a bite to eat.  Check out its vintage neon clock above the entrance while its main sign along the highway is truly a work of art.

     Leaving Palo Pinto, we are nearing the final segment of our trip along historic 80.  Enjoy the fine green landscape interspersed with a unique mix of junipers and oaks.  High desert, or great plains?  I guess Texas just can't make up its mind in there here parts.

     But unfortunately, people have made up their minds...made up their minds to take another road to Abilene, leaving many of the rural businesses through here to whither.  One such example is this abandoned station near the 'town' Dodson Prairie.  As far as I can tell, Dodson Prairie consists of a cemetery, this here abandoned station, and the Sky Ranch across the street.  Onward to the junction of modern day highway Texas 16-the junction of Historic 80 and Historic Alternate 80.

     Before we turn south on today's highway Texas 16, I'd like to add a historical perspective.  Thanks to the fine efforts of Anne Cook, photo librarian for the TXDOT, Anne is able to provide us a glimpse of what the junction of the Historical 80 and Alternate Historical 80 once looked like.  Some entrepreneurial group had put up a nice big sign shouting the fact that the road to Breckenridge had "30 miles of paved roads" while beyond that and lower, one can make out the small "Ranger" sign on the roadside (see pic-note, large pic, long download).  Note the Bankhead Highway signs in the background as well.  The sad fact is that none of these buildings or establishments seen in this old photo remain today...nothing at this intersection but cattle and pasture today.

     A turn south on modern day highway Texas 16 is a real treat.  Though no real evidence of original roadwork or bridges/culverts remains, there is still a sensation of traveling through a land forgotten.  Traffic is sparse, the fields green, and if you time your trip right in the spring, wildflowers abound.  The sleepy little town of Strawn doesn't do much to remove this time capsule image.  On the north end of town, a funeral home now occupies a small assortment of buildings that obviously once must have been quite the hotel/motel/store/station complex.  The brick shells of these buildings remain to provide a glimpse of what once was.   Downtown Strawn is also a real treat with brick lined streets and low and behold, another reminder of the highways origins-the Bankhead Hotel & Apartments!  

     Our journey on Historic 80 is almost over...only one real note remains.  As you leave Strawn southbound, just past the Eastland County line, look for a road shooting straight off to the south-southeast.  This is Old Strawn road and was the original highway until the newer road was constructed in the late30's.  This will merge with the I-20 north frontage road east of exit 361 and the junction of newer 80 coming from the east out of Thurber.  

     I hope you've enjoyed our little jaunt down Historic 80.  Be sure to check out the rest of my web, or continue your highway 80 journey by clicking the riders to move east-west within the state, or by clicking on any highway 80 state shown below!