The Meridian Highway Across Texas: Decatur Public Outreach Meeting

Documenting the Meridian Highway

The Texas Historical Commission (THC) is undertaking a two-year study to document the history of the Meridian Highway. The project will result in a written history of the Texas section of the Meridian Highway and a survey of the Texas Meridian route, including associated historic resources: auto repair garages, gas stations, tourist camps, auto courts, motels, road markers, paving, traffic signs, and bridges. This effort is funded by the Texas Legislature and the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) through the Transportation Enhancement Program.

Help Tell the Story of the Meridian in Texas

Individuals and organizations are encouraged to attend the meeting to share information and visual items related to the Meridian Highway for use in the project. Staff will introduce the project at the meeting and involve community members through discussion, question-and-answer sessions, and displays of maps and historical Meridian images. Please bring your historical photos, postcards, maps, and other Meridian-related items to the meeting. With your consent, Staff will scan or photograph materials so they may be included in the project if appropriate. We hope to see you there!

Meridian Highway History

The Meridian Highway has historically been the major north-south named highway in Texas since the early 1910s.  It stretched from Canada to Mexico through the nation's midsection. Its beginnings can be traced back to 1911 when the International Meridian Highway Association was organized to promote the highway's development. Its path crossed approximately 850 miles of Texas, passing through Burkburnett, Wichita Falls, Fort Worth, Cleburne, Waco, Taylor, Georgetown, Austin, New Braunfels, San Antonio, Cotulla, Laredo, Bryan, Hempstead, Houston and Galveston, among other communities, and roughly followed I-35 W with a major lateral from Waco to Galveston following SH 6/US 290.

Visit the THC website at www.thc.texas.gov/preserve/projects-and-programs/historic-texas-highways... for more information about the project or contact Leslie Wolfenden at 512.463.3386 or leslie.wolfenden@thc.texas.gov.