Metcalf Gap facts for kids
Metcalf Gap is a natural opening or "pass" through the Palo Pinto Mountains in northern Texas. It's found in a part of Texas called the Western Cross Timbers region. This pass is about halfway between the towns of Breckenridge and Mineral Wells.
The pass is about 1,200 feet (370 meters) high. It creates a clear break in the Palo Pinto Mountains. These mountains are a 15-mile long chain of hills that stretch across southern Palo Pinto County. The pass and a small town nearby are named after J.J. Metcalf. He was a local rancher and surveyor.
A Path Across the Country
In 1917, the Texas Highway Department was new. They decided to build and name State Highway 1. This road would go all the way from Texarkana to El Paso. Most of this road followed the path of the Texas & Pacific Railroad.
However, two shorter side routes were also approved. One of these was called SH 1A. This route would split off near Weatherford. It would then go west through Mineral Wells. After that, it would travel through Metcalf Gap.
From Metcalf Gap, the road continued west. It passed through Breckenridge and Albany. Finally, it turned southwest to Abilene. Here, it joined back up with the main highway.
Becoming a U.S. Highway
In 1926, a new system of U.S. Highways was created. The route through Metcalf Gap became part of this system. It was named U.S. Route 80 (Alternative), also known as U.S. Route 80A.
U.S. Route 80 was a very long road. It stretched 2,671 miles from Savannah, Georgia, to San Diego, California. Because the Metcalf Gap route was part of this famous highway, it became well-known. People saw it in travel guides and ads. This made a small Texas road part of a big national network of highways.
This fame didn't last forever. By 1943, travelers often used the main route through Strawn and Cisco instead. So, the alternative route through Metcalf Gap was no longer part of U.S. Route 80. That section of the road, from Weatherford to Albany, was renamed. It became part of U.S. Route 180. This new highway continued west from Albany to the Texas-New Mexico border near Seminole. It then went on to El Paso, sharing its path with U.S. Route 62.
How to Get There
Metcalf Gap is located about 9.5 miles west of the small town of Palo Pinto. You can reach it from the east or west by taking U.S. Route 180. This part of the highway runs between Mineral Wells and Breckenridge.
If you are coming from the north or south, you can use Texas State Highway 16. This highway runs through Metcalf Gap at the same time as U.S. Route 180. Then, it turns south towards Strawn.
