Historic U.S. 61: Used Car Lot, Maplewood
Used Car Lot, Maplewood
Located In: Maplewood, Ramsey County.
Bypassed: 1952
Length: 0.30 miles
Also Marked As:
1921-1934
Part of the driveway to a used car lot on the west side of U.S. 61 just south of I-694 in Maplewood was once part of the original paved highway between St. Paul and White Bear Lake.
Construction
The original alignment of U.S. 61 through what is now Maplewood was constructed in 1921 as part of a project to pave the road between St. Paul and White Bear Lake. The original pavement was 24 feet of asphalt over a concrete base. The road remained unaltered until a 1937 project widened the grade to make room for gravel shoulders.
Bypass History
The original highway was replaced in 1952 by the construction of the current divided highway between St. Paul and White Bear Lake. A short section near County Road D was left behind as a service drive, connecting to the new highway at both ends. The service drive once made up part of a curve that was ironed out on the new road.
Current Status
Most of this service drive was destroyed by recent commercial development and the realignment of County Road D. Only a stub at the northern end has survived.
Photo Tour - Photos from August, 2009.
Looking southwest at the entrance to the used car lot. Note the worn out pavement, formerly part of the service drive.
Another view, showing how the old service drive now dead-ends at a retaining wall.
