1800 Days To Justice
Crandall, Texas

Coming soon on Ohio66:
“Starring George Maharis” - by Rick Dailey

Ohio66 presents an in-depth look at the circumstances surrounding the departure of George Maharis from route 66 in the middle of the third season.

preview Starring George Maharis

Thanks to Mac Patterson for the photos and commentary on this episode.

West Trunk Street - Fall, 1961
West Trunk Street - Fall, 1961

West Trunk Street - September, 2008
West Trunk Street - September, 2008

Middle Of Nowhere

The second season episode, 1800 Days to Justice, was filmed in Crandall Texas in the last quarter of 1961. Crandall is Southeast of Dallas on highway 175. The opening shot of the episode shows Tod and Buz on a small road in the middle of nowhere.

At this point Tod is not impressed with Buz's shortcut to Dallas. In reality they are driving away from Dallas. This road once connected Crandall and Seagoville, Texas. It now dead ends at a barricade about a mile further down. The photos are looking Northwest toward Seagoville.

I wouldn't be surprised if the utility pole directly over the Vette in the screen shot is the same pole in the new photo. The old railroad track-bed is on the left, but is overgrown with vegetation.

Google Earth Street View - Middle Of Nowhere


Concrete Bridge - September, 2008
Concrete Bridge - September, 2008

Concrete Bridge

As Tod and Buz enter the town of Harcourt Junction (Crandall) they cross this small bridge. But you have to look fast to see it. (no screencap).

This episode was filmed in the Winter which accounts for how barren everything looked. However my photos were taken in the Summer when all the vegetation was in full bloom.

Gas Station - Fall, 1961
Gas Station - Fall, 1961

Gas Station - November, 2006
Gas Station - November, 2006

Last Chance For Gas

Tod and Buz stop at a gas station in Harcourt Junction. But the town is strangely empty.

The building had been radically remodeled by the time I took this photo a year ago. It was for sale at that time. It has since been torn down and a new building or house is being built there.

It was located across from the Crandall railroad station which was torn down in the 60s.

"Harcourt" National Bank - Fall, 1961
"Harcourt" National Bank - Fall, 1961

Crandall Salon & Day Spa - September, 2008
Crandall Salon & Day Spa - September, 2008

Bank of Crandall

This old bank building anchors one corner of the buildings on Main street. It was built in the 20s when Crandall was a booming farming community.

In the screencap actor Roger Torrey walks in front of it. There is a flag pole directly in front. The building really hasn't changed. It is now home to a beauty salon but the flag pole is still there.

Google Earth Street View - Bank


TrainArrival - Fall, 1961
TrainArrival - Fall, 1961

September, 2008
September, 2008

Train Arrival

In the story, John Ericson and his men await the arrival of Bob Harcourt, played by DeForest Kelley, at the train depot. The man in the screen cap is the actor playing the station master. He is standing beside Bob Harcourt's car.

The same view as it appears today, looking East. The tracks are long gone as is the Crandall depot which would have been in the empty area on the right side of the picture. Marion Ross's gas station was just to the left of this picture.

Google Earth Street View - Train Arrival


Trial Building - Fall, 1961
Trial Building - Fall, 1961

Crandall City Hall - September, 2008
Crandall City Hall - September, 2008

Kangaroo Court

After capturing Bob Harcourt, he is forced by Ericson to take all the money out of his bank, and carry it down the street to the building where the kangaroo court will be held.

These four buildings are the same as they appeared in 1961 when this episode was filmed. Some of the rafters on the awning of the white building appear to be the same pieces of wood that were there in 61. The Crandall City Hall where the trial was held has had a face lift, but is basically the same building. Even the electric meter is in the same spot to the right of the door.

Google Earth Street View - Kangaroo Court


Cemetery - Fall, 1961
Cemetery - Fall, 1961

Cemetery - September, 2008
Cemetery - September, 2008

Showdown At The Cemetery

After finding DeForest Kelley guilty, John Ericson marches him to the cemetery where he swears he will execute him. They are followed by Tod and Buz, Marion Ross and the rest of the townspeople.

The new photo is framed exactly the same as the original scene. Ericson and Buz engage in a brutal fist fight in the foreground and across the gravel road and into a plowed field next to the cemetery.

The plowed field is still there. A new housing development is across Trinity street from the cemetery.

Google Earth Street View - Cemetery


Leaving Crandall - Fall, 1961
Leaving Crandall - Fall, 1961

Leaving Crandall - September, 2008
Leaving Crandall - September, 2008

Leaving Town

Tod and Buz crank up the Corvette and drive slowly out of town. Where will they stop next? Possibly the town of Kilkenny(Lewisville, Texas) by way of Dallas.

The view in the new photograph is the same, except the RR tracks are gone.

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