Like almost all the small Texas towns along the Old Spanish Trail, that part of the OST as it passes through Junction is named "Main Street."
As of 1969, the entire route of the former OST through Junction (including Main Street) was redesignated State Loop 481 to serve as a business route for the reroute of the US 290 north of town (preparing for the day to come where the US 290 would become the I-10).
Wikipedia proves that Texas SL 481 was formerly co-signed as US 83 and US 290. The US 83 came in from the south and joined US 290 east of Junction, where the two roads headed west through town. North of town, US 83 diverged from US 290, and continued north to the Oklahoma border.
US 290 entered Junction from the east, joined with US 83 and left US 83 to continue west to El Paso. Therefore, SL 481 is clearly the former route of the Old Spanish Trail. (
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The Junction City Hall was built in 1939, well within the heyday of the Old Spanish Trail. His dramatic Art Deco design and pop of color ads in lot of interest to the Kimble County Courthouse square.
Junction City Hall and its associated municipal buildings are located 1/2 block south of the Old Spanish Trail on the east side of the Kimble County Courthouse square. Travelers along the OST could not have missed the pop of color and sleek deco design of the Junction City Hall as they bumped by in their cars.
The state historic marker at City Hall (placed in 1972, well after the heyday of the OST) reads as follows:
"CITY OF JUNCTION
County seat of Kimble County. Townsite platted 1876 (year of county organization) as "Denman." soon had named changed by voters to denote site at confluence of North and South Llano Rivers. Growth was steady. By 1882 had 300 people, a courthouse, jail, school, 2 churches, 2 stores. In 1927, town was incorporated; water system bought, 1929; sewer system built, 1929; Municipal hall and fire station erected 1939-40; swimming pool installed 1955. Eight Mayors, 63 Alderman, 5 City Secretaries, and others have held offices. After annexations, by 1970 population reached 2654. (1972)"