The filled Preston Street underpass survives in broken pavement, retaining walls and the street grid around the railroad tracks. Fourteen photographs from January 10, 2004, approach the site from both sides.
Standing by the barricade looking southeast at the underpass. The opening was blocked with timbers and then filled in. It was one lane each direction with a center dividing wall.
Standing next to the railroad tracks which run over the underpass. Looking northwest.
Original source resolution links
LR = Low Resolution (Up to Approx. 750dpi x 500dpi) · MR = Medium Resolution (Up to Approx. 2000dpi x 1360dpi) · HR = High Resolution (Up to Approx. 5000dpi x 3400dpi) · UR = Ultra-High Resolution (Approx. 12000dpi x 8100dpi)
Looking up St. Charles from the base of the underpass.
Original source resolution links
LR = Low Resolution (Up to Approx. 750dpi x 500dpi) · MR = Medium Resolution (Up to Approx. 2000dpi x 1360dpi) · HR = High Resolution (Up to Approx. 5000dpi x 3400dpi) · UR = Ultra-High Resolution (Approx. 12000dpi x 8100dpi)
East side at the base of the underpass: LR · MR · HR
The Preston Street underpass can be seen on Houston city maps as far back as 1913. This clip from a 1913 city map clearly shows the underpass. The dashed line indicates the underpass was also used as part of the electric railway. During this period Preston extended both east and west of the underpass while the strett heading north was named Buffalo.
Although this 1935 city map does not show very much detail. A reader can see the "location" of the underpass. It is interesting to note Preston is part of US75 at this time. Preston was a connection to Harrisburg and ultimately to Galveston.
The underpass can clearly be seen in this clip from a 1936 Harris County general map. Although this map doesn't show it. The road east of the underpass has been connected to Harrisburg Blvd. The eastern section of Preston has been disconnected from the underpass.
From a 1961 Harris County street map we have a clear view of the connecting streets. Note that by this time Buffalo Street to the north has been renamed St. Charles Street. Note that the US75 and TX225 designations have been dropped. These "freeways" have been rerouted by this time.
A 1992 Harris County Street map shows a different story. By this time the Harrisburg underpass has been created and the Preston underpass abandoned. Preston is shown to continue up to the tracks even though the section is closed. The modern map below doesn't even show the closed piece. The east side no longer connects to Harrisburg and has been renamed to be part of St. Charles.
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