Historic US287 in Estelline, Texas

Most of U.S. 287 between Amarillo and Fort Worth is a four-lane divided highway. It was not always that way. From the old maps on this web site, it appears that 287 did not have any divided sections until about the early 1960s. This is a very old section in the town of Estelline. A 1969 map shows 287 divided north of Estelline, but not south of it. However, at least half of the present highway was built. This section predates even that 2-lane section. It is a short section, probably orphaned when 287 was straightened out more as you can see how this road had a sweeping curve.

If you look closely in the background, you can see the present-day U.S. 287. This old section, as with many old sections of highway slab, is now being used for parking and storage. Although 287 is four lanes through Estelline, you do need to slow down as you go through the small town. The nearest town of considerable population is Childress, way in the background of this photo.

The photo at left was taken looking back towards Estelline, but was taken directly into the bright sun, so the quality is not that good. But you can make out some of the homes that were built along this very old section of U.S. 287.

*The Handbook of Texas Online says: "Estelline, at the intersection of U.S. Highway 287 and State Highway 87, near the Red River in eastern Hall County, was established in 1892 by the brothers Elam and Math Wright. It was on the Fort Worth and Denver City Railway and was named for Estelle de Shields, daughter of an early settler. The area was originally part of the Diamond Tail Ranch."

The Handbook says Estelline was an important railroad town, but that improvements in highway transportation decreased that importance.

*Handbook of Texas Online, s.v. "ESTELLINE, TX," http://www.tsha.utexas.edu/handbook/online/articles/EE/hle27.html (accessed July 12, 2005).

Photos and text by Martin Blaise