Paving the way

 

Here is a small glimpse from that drive Old US 77

 

After working overtime all morning and finishing up the final paper, it was time to breathe. Maybelline (my friendly gas powered buddy) and I went on a journey into the Sooner State and upon heading back found pieces of what was the Dallas-Canadian (TX)- Denver Highway (D-C-D), one of many auto trails to grace the early American road system.

 

(#15 was the Kansas, Oklahoma and Texas Highway)

(Both images are courtesy of Steven Varner)

The route began in Galveston, Texas and traversed up part of east-central Texas up toward the Dallas area. From there it went along modern day I-35 communities including Denton before finishing up most of I-35/US 77 in north Texas until it reached Thrackerville, Marietta and Ardmore, OK along what is now 77 before veering west.

According to the June 1918 edition of the Colorado Highways Bulletin, (keep in mind the era of which the quote was made) "On through the classic city of Dallas and on north through the marvelous agricultural region of north Texas, the richest natural farming country under the canopy of Heaven. Crossing into Oklahoma at once brings to view the red man, the first inhabitant of America. You will find him there in his blanket and you will see his various steps of advancement fro, that condition to a stock farmer, college professor, lawyer and politician."

Later there were two alignments, one went through central and western Oklahoma, i.e. El Reno and Cheyenne, while another came back into Texas in Childress before reaching Canadian, TX. From there, "so much enthusiasm was expressed at this (D-C-D) meeting that upon return to Canadian, its Chamber of Commerce advanced the idea of an intersection on the north with the Santa Fe Trail, thus linking the southeast with the northwest by a highway leading through a country beset by the last resistance to land transportation and at the same time, wonderful in the teachings of history and nature and yet more wonderful in the revelations of the human eye." The route finished up northwest through La Junta, Co along the Santa Fe Trail and into Denver.

"The character of people along this route makes the journey a pleasure."

(US 77 meets the D-C-D, which is where the camera was stationed)

 

Next steps will be looking at the alignment at the Red River. I plan to look from Dallas into Ardmore in the future and will provide updates of my findings. Happy Trails!