U.S. 180 West - Weatherford to Mineral Wells

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U.S. 180
U.S. 180 West
U.S. 180 begin westbound from a wye interchange with IH 20 in the city of Hudson Oaks. The freeway off-ramp transitions onto a divided highway, leftover from the pre-interstate days that connected Fort Worth with points west.

U.S. 180 begin westbound from a wye interchange with IH 20 in the city of Hudson Oaks. The freeway off-ramp transitions onto a divided highway, leftover from the pre-interstate days that connected Fort Worth with points west.

02/13/09

A U.S. 180 westbound reassurance marker precedes the intersection with Lakeshore Drive in Hudson Oaks. TxDot often omits directional banners, as can be seen here.

A U.S. 180 westbound reassurance marker precedes the intersection with Lakeshore Drive in Hudson Oaks. TxDot often omits directional banners, as can be seen here.

02/13/09

U.S. 180 heads west away from IH 20 and Hudson Oaks as a divided highway, with a 55 mph speed limit and a few traffic lights.

U.S. 180 heads west away from IH 20 and Hudson Oaks as a divided highway, with a 55 mph speed limit and a few traffic lights.

02/13/09

2.1 miles beyond the separation with IH 20, U.S. 180 crosses Underwood Branch into the city of Weatherford. A fast-growing exurban area connected to the DFW Metroplex, Weatherford exceeded 30,000 people by 2018 census estimates.

2.1 miles beyond the separation with IH 20, U.S. 180 crosses Underwood Branch into the city of Weatherford. A fast-growing exurban area connected to the DFW Metroplex, Weatherford exceeded 30,000 people by 2018 census estimates.

02/13/09

U.S. 180 meets FM 730 on the east side of Weatherford.

U.S. 180 meets FM 730 on the east side of Weatherford.

02/13/09

FM 730 is a 58.62 mile long secondary state highway. It runs north from U.S. 180 to Azle and other western exurban areas and ends at FM 455 in southeastern Montague County.
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FM 730 is a 58.62 mile long secondary state highway. It runs north from U.S. 180 to Azle and other western exurban areas and ends at FM 455 in southeastern Montague County.

02/13/09

US 180 is still three miles from the center of Weatherford at FM 730, as the city has annexed a lot of surrounding area. Mineral Wells, the next large town, makes an appearance here on a distance sign.
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US 180 is still three miles from the center of Weatherford at FM 730, as the city has annexed a lot of surrounding area. Mineral Wells, the next large town, makes an appearance here on a distance sign.

02/13/09

A U.S. 180 westbound reassurance marker stands at the intersection with Coyote Run in Weatherford. The city bills itself as the peach capital of Texas, and is famous for a peach festival each year.

A U.S. 180 westbound reassurance marker stands at the intersection with Coyote Run in Weatherford. The city bills itself as the peach capital of Texas, and is famous for a peach festival each year.

02/13/09

The Parker County courthouse comes into view as U.S. 180 spans Town Creek and the UP Railroad. FM 2252 angles 2.68 miles southeast along Santa Fe Drive from U.S. 180 (Fort Worth Highway) to IH 20.

The Parker County courthouse comes into view as U.S. 180 spans Town Creek and the UP Railroad. FM 2252 angles 2.68 miles southeast along Santa Fe Drive from U.S. 180 (Fort Worth Highway) to IH 20.

02/13/09

One block west of the FM 2252 north end at Elm Street on U.S. 180 (Fort Worth Highway) west in Downtown Weatherford.

One block west of the FM 2252 north end at Elm Street on U.S. 180 (Fort Worth Highway) west in Downtown Weatherford.

02/13/09

Arranged in a quasi-roundabout manner, the Parker County courthouse sits on a square in the center of Weatherford. The first courthouse was built here in 1856 and updated in 1858 with a more formidable structure. The clock tower was installed in 1897.

Arranged in a quasi-roundabout manner, the Parker County courthouse sits on a square in the center of Weatherford. The first courthouse was built here in 1856 and updated in 1858 with a more formidable structure. The clock tower was installed in 1897.

02/13/09

The courthouse site adheres to an early Texas law that courthouses must be within 5 miles of the geographic center of the county. Parker County took that law to heart and even marks the exact spot on the floor of the building.

The courthouse site adheres to an early Texas law that courthouses must be within 5 miles of the geographic center of the county. Parker County took that law to heart and even marks the exact spot on the floor of the building.

02/13/09

U.S. 180 meets FM 51 and SH 171 at Main Street. A 122.67 mile route, FM 51 originates in Gainesville and trends westward, meeting SH 114, U.S. 380, U.S. 180 and U.S. 67 along its route.

U.S. 180 meets FM 51 and SH 171 at Main Street. A 122.67 mile route, FM 51 originates in Gainesville and trends westward, meeting SH 114, U.S. 380, U.S. 180 and U.S. 67 along its route.

02/13/09

The courthouse square in Weatherford also marks the northern end of SH 171, which runs south to IH 20, IH 35 and U.S. 84 at Mexia, 114.61 miles away.

The courthouse square in Weatherford also marks the northern end of SH 171, which runs south to IH 20, IH 35 and U.S. 84 at Mexia, 114.61 miles away.

02/13/09

West of the square, overhead signs mark the split of Spur 312 and U.S. 180. These overhead signs are likely leftover from when Main Street was still a part of U.S. 80 and when U.S. 180 ended here. In 1991, U.S. 80 was decommissioned west of Dallas and this section through Weatherford became an eastern extension of U.S. 180.

West of the square, overhead signs mark the split of Spur 312 and U.S. 180. These overhead signs are likely leftover from when Main Street was still a part of U.S. 80 and when U.S. 180 ended here. In 1991, U.S. 80 was decommissioned west of Dallas and this section through Weatherford became an eastern extension of U.S. 180.

02/13/09

U.S. 180 westbound at Spur 312. Originally a part of U.S. 80, SS 312 converges with IH 20, 5.03 miles to the southwest. The control point of Abilene is a remnant from the former route of U.S. 80.

U.S. 180 westbound at Spur 312. Originally a part of U.S. 80, SS 312 converges with IH 20, 5.03 miles to the southwest. The control point of Abilene is a remnant from the former route of U.S. 80.

02/13/09

U.S. 180 leaves Weatherford and expands into a four lane, divided highway. This reassurance marker precedes the intersection where the western loop of Ric Williamson Memorial Highway (RWMN) was constructed. The 5.6 mile long arterial beltway joins IH 20 to the south with FM 51 to the north. Construction on the project ran from April 2011 to May 2014.1

U.S. 180 leaves Weatherford and expands into a four lane, divided highway. This reassurance marker precedes the intersection where the western loop of Ric Williamson Memorial Highway (RWMN) was constructed. The 5.6 mile long arterial beltway joins IH 20 to the south with FM 51 to the north. Construction on the project ran from April 2011 to May 2014.1

02/13/09

Continuing west across Coffee Creek, around 13,000 vehicles per day were recorded by TxDOT in 2017 along U.S. 180 between Weatherford and Cool.

Continuing west across Coffee Creek, around 13,000 vehicles per day were recorded by TxDOT in 2017 along U.S. 180 between Weatherford and Cool.

02/13/09

The eastern extent of the Palo Pinto hills come into view on the approach to Cool. The hills are the eroded edge of the great plains. They mark the line where the central plains of the US merge into the gulf coastal plain.
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The eastern extent of the Palo Pinto hills come into view on the approach to Cool. The hills are the eroded edge of the great plains. They mark the line where the central plains of the US merge into the gulf coastal plain.

02/13/09

U.S. 180 meets FM 113 north at the eastern limit of Cool. The northern branch of FM 113 measures 8.04 miles between U.S. 180 and FM 1885 via Garner.

U.S. 180 meets FM 113 north at the eastern limit of Cool. The northern branch of FM 113 measures 8.04 miles between U.S. 180 and FM 1885 via Garner.

02/13/09

FM 113 south overlaps with U.S. 180 west for 0.82 miles through the town of Cool.

FM 113 south overlaps with U.S. 180 west for 0.82 miles through the town of Cool.

02/13/09

FM 113 continues southward another 8.85 miles from Cool to Millsap and IH 20. Cool did not seem to exist before 1960, and exists as a small bedroom and farming community. The origin of the name is a mystery.

FM 113 continues southward another 8.85 miles from Cool to Millsap and IH 20. Cool did not seem to exist before 1960, and exists as a small bedroom and farming community. The origin of the name is a mystery.

02/13/09

U.S. 180 navigates along an S-curve across Dry Creek and northern reaches of Duke Mountain through Cool.
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U.S. 180 navigates along an S-curve across Dry Creek and northern reaches of Duke Mountain through Cool.

02/13/09

U.S. 180 takes on an almost expressway-like quality to it as it nears Mineral Wells. There are numerous rock cuts and hills with a center divider.

U.S. 180 takes on an almost expressway-like quality to it as it nears Mineral Wells. There are numerous rock cuts and hills with a center divider.

02/13/09

The Lake Mineral Wells State Trailway spans U.S. 180 at Maddux Road. Part of the state trail system, it connects with Mineral Wells State Park just to the north.

The Lake Mineral Wells State Trailway spans U.S. 180 at Maddux Road. Part of the state trail system, it connects with Mineral Wells State Park just to the north.

02/13/09

U.S. 180 (Mineral Wells Highway) westbound before Park Road 71. The Texas state highway system uses park roads as connectors from state or national parks to the larger highway network.

U.S. 180 (Mineral Wells Highway) westbound before Park Road 71. The Texas state highway system uses park roads as connectors from state or national parks to the larger highway network.

02/13/09

Park Road 71 spurs 0.743 miles north into Mineral Wells State Park.

Park Road 71 spurs 0.743 miles north into Mineral Wells State Park.

02/13/09

While still in Parker County, U.S. 180 enters the city of Mineral Wells, the largest town in Palo Pinto County. Mineral Wells was laid out in 1881, and in 1885 became a famous health resort due to its foul-tasting mineral well water which was thought to be a cure for rheumatism. By 1920, the town had over 400 mineral water wells.

While still in Parker County, U.S. 180 enters the city of Mineral Wells, the largest town in Palo Pinto County. Mineral Wells was laid out in 1881, and in 1885 became a famous health resort due to its foul-tasting mineral well water which was thought to be a cure for rheumatism. By 1920, the town had over 400 mineral water wells.

02/13/09

Mineral Wells' eastern side is a blur of traffic lights and big box stores. Pictured here is the U.S. 180 westbound intersection with Washington Road. The Palo Pinto County line is just 0.3 miles ahead.

Mineral Wells' eastern side is a blur of traffic lights and big box stores. Pictured here is the U.S. 180 westbound intersection with Washington Road. The Palo Pinto County line is just 0.3 miles ahead.

02/13/09

References:

  1. "Final phase of Williamson Memorial Highway western loop complete." Fort Worth Star-Telegram (TX), April 29, 2014.

Photo Credits:

Page Updated Tuesday July 30, 2019.