San Antonio Area Roads History
Historical
Fratt Interchange Photos |
|
| This page last updated December 27, 2021 |
Below
are historical photos of the I-35/Loop 410 NE interchange near
Windcrest, historically known as the Fratt Interchange These
photos were provided by the TxDOT
photo library and the San Antonio
TxDOT district office.
Locations are given using the present-day roadway names. The
photos are generally arranged chronologically. Click on
each photo for an enlarged view.
Click
here
to return to the historical photo galleries page.
Interchange
history
The
Fratt Interchange is so-named because it was adjacent to the former
community of Fratt, which was located where Cowboys Dance Hall
is today. The town was settled around 1900 and hit its
heyday around 1930 before declining. The remaining structures were
torn-down in the early 1980s.
Until
the early 1950s, Fratt was just a wide spot on the road to New
Braunfels where US 81 (and SH 2 prior to that) passed under the
railroad. It wasn't until the arrival of Loop 13 that Fratt became a
major crossroads, first when Loop 13 was extended from the west around
1950, and then in 1953 when Loop 13 was extended from the south. The
two intersections of Loop 13 with US 81 east and west of Fratt
influenced the layout of the interchange that exists today.
The
first proposal for an interchange was around 1954 in conjunction with
the planning for what would become I‑35. That initial plan showed the
new expressway using Randolph Blvd. instead of today's route and
was apparently short-lived as a new interchange plan in 1955
showed it connecting to today's route to the north. That
plan also introduced the long hairpin connector from northbound I-35 to
westbound Loop 410 that is still in use today.
From
1980 to 1983, the interchange was upgraded to its current form in a
project that was, at the time, the largest single project ever
undertaken by the Highway Department.
|
|
First Fratt Interchange proposal (ca. 1954)
Note that the eastern leg of US 81 is still shown using Randolph Blvd.
(Due
to the size of this image, it will open in a separate window that you
can scroll and zoom.)
(TxDOT)
|
|
|
|
Fratt Interchange plan (1955)
This plan shows the eventual route for I-35 north of the interchange as
well as the first appearance of the hairpin ramp from northbound I-35
to westbound Loop 410.
(TxDOT)
|
|
|
|
Fratt Interchange looking northwest (ca.
1955)
An overview of the interchange area prior to construction. Especially
note the long "Y" intersection where Loop 13 headed to the south splits
from US 81; this influenced the future layout of the interchange. The
black square was hand-drawn to indicate the desired cropping of the
photo.
(TxDOT)
|
|
|
|
Fratt Interchange looking southeast (1956)
Construction is underway on the interchange. Note the single
residential street at the top left; this is Weathercock Lane and was
the first street in Windcrest.
(TxDOT/Jack Ammann Photogrammetric Engineers)
|
|
|
|
Fratt Interchange looking southwest (ca.
1958)
The is shortly after completion of the interchange. The community of
Fratt is clearly seen here.
(TxDOT)
|
|
|
|
Fratt Interchange looking east-northeast
(ca. 1958)
Another view of the completed interchange. Fratt is to the right.
(TxDOT)
|
|
|
|
Fratt Interchange looking northeast (ca.
1963)
In the foreground is an artist's overlay of proposed improvements
(access roads, ramps, and an overpass) for Loop 13 between the railroad
tracks and Austin Highway.
(TxDOT)
|
|
|
|
Fratt Interchange looking southwest (ca.
1963)
This is looking toward the west from the I-35 overpass.
(TxDOT)
|
|
|
|
Fratt Interchange looking southwest (ca.
1963)
This is looking west at the I-35 overpass.
(TxDOT)
|
|
|
|
Overhead signs at Fratt Interchange
looking east (ca. 1963)
Note the lack of route shields and the attached arrows
at the bottom.
(TxDOT)
|
|
|
|
Fratt Interchange looking southwest (ca.
1963)
(TxDOT)
|
|
|
|
Fratt Interchange looking northeast (1965)
(TxDOT)
|
|
|
|
Fratt Interchange looking northeast (ca.
1980)
(TxDOT)
|
|
|
|
Fratt Interchange looking south (ca. 1980)
This is shortly after construction began to upgrade the interchange.
(TxDOT)
|
|
|
|
Fratt Interchange looking southwest (1983)
This was as work was nearing completion on the upgraded interchange. In
the foreground you can see the VIA Park & Ride.
(TxDOT/Clint Oehler)
|
|
|
|
Fratt Interchange looking southwest (ca.
1983)
(TxDOT)
|
|
Click
here
to return to the historical photo galleries page.
|
Freeway system
Pre-Interstate routes
