Winter and spring road dragging promoted in Illinois
Experience shows earth roads can be improved most effectively during winter and early spring when softened by moisture. The Illinois Highway Commission offers free blank contract forms for local commissioners, plus a pamphlet on hard road vote procedures to prevent invalid steps and delays.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
State Highway Commission
Springfield
State of
Ilinois
Illinois Highway Commission
Ill
GOOD ROADS IN CALIFORNIA
California leads in road building with 2,200 miles of main routes and 400 miles of laterals aided by a 1.6 million dollar lump appropriation. About 70 percent of the burden falls on incorporated cities as Los Angeles County spends heavily on oil macadam highways while other states push extensive trunk road programs over the next two to four years.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
New York
California
Los Angelte
Alabama
Louisiana
Mississippi
Utah
Minnesota
Maryland
Graveling Streets Advice From Farm and Home Expert
An expert advises on street grading noting filling outer edges first and raking coarse gravel toward the center yields a smoother surface. Filling the center first causes longer grading time, more stones protruding, and higher hauling costs, leaving a rough road for years.
First Cement Road in Iowa Was Built With Local Help
Eddyville's first cement road, begun in 1911 after a sandy quarter mile hindered travel for decades, was funded by county, farmers, merchants, and townships. The project used concrete fourteen feet wide, seven and a half inch crown, with labor and materials donated or subsidized, finishing in summer 1911 and remaining in good condition today.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Eddyville
State Highway Commission
Highway Commission
Ecounty
Government aid funds for Iowa highway counties
E. J. Jones of the U S Office of Public Roads completed a June 1 contract with Boone and Story counties, directing 10000 in aid to the Trans-Continental Highway project. Boone receives 4000 and Story 26000, each doubling their contribution to a total of 30000 for fifty miles of road, plus 7009 donated. Iowa becomes the seventh state to secure the 10140 per state, conditional on pairing with 20000 of its own money for fifty miles of post roads. Other signed states are Alabama Maryland Oregon Maine Vermont Connecticut.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
E. J. Jones
U. S. Office of Public Roads
Boone and
Story Counties
Iowa
Alabama
Maryland
Oregon
Maine
Vermount
Connecticut
Rotary clubs seek funds for best river road project
The Sioux City Rotary Club proposes a 10000 dollar fund and asks the Omaha Rotary Club to match for a cross river road contest. A total 15000 dollars will be awarded to the best road and 5000 dollars to the best road on the opposite riverbank.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Sioux City
Hardin county Iowa road dragging boosts town's highways
In Jackson township Hardin county an eight year old road dragging program under Prentiss Ransom has transformed roads after every rain with farmers paid fifty cents per mile. Sixteen road-dragging events this spring covered sixty miles in about two hours. A state districting plan adds five engineers to aid county boards.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Jackson Township
Harding County
Iowa
Prentiss Ransom
Owasa
United States
Marshalltown
Ranson
Keep the Weeds Out in Road Grading Guide
The article notes May to July are ideal for grading earth roads but many places delay until later in the year. When late spring and summer work is impossible, roads should be plowed in June or early July to turn vegetation under a shallow dirt layer to prevent mud and moisture ingress.
Iowa road draggers boost dry grading plan success
A plan to keep roadbeds clear of grass and weeds during hot summers helps grading late in the season. Jackson township will gravel several miles. last year Mt. Ayr contest winner was treated this way and rode smoothly after a heavy rain. Township draggers regularly maintain roads, aiming to improve Iowa’s reputation for good roads.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Mt. Ayr
Iuwa
Iowa
Jackson Township
Clarinda Sets an Example on a New Road
A stretch of harsh road in Clarinda hindered business and farmers from the southeast. Local boosters moved to relocate the highway and build a first class road. The project eliminates seven hills and shortens distance by three quarters of a mile with thousands of dollars donated by Clarinda. It reflects the Iowa trend to avoid steep hills by routing around or around them for better grades.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Clarinda
Iowa
Grand Rapids Board Okays $100,000 Road Bonds
The Grand Rapids board of commissioners authorized the issuance of road bonds totaling $100,000 for work during the current year.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Board of Commissioners At
Grand Rapids
Road Supervisor Fined for Neglect in Garfield Township
Watt James, road supervisor of Garfield township in Clay county, was arraigned before the justice of the peace at Webb on neglect of duty and fined ten dollars and costs. County attorney Jensen says he will prosecute every case with warranted evidence, commending the example to other counties as an efficient way to improve roads.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Watt James
Garfield Township
Clay County
Justice of the Peace
Webb
Jensen
Iowa's Road Showing In Improved Highways Progress
Iowa records 2 505 miles of improved highways per the Good Roads Year Book while several states exceed it in total mileage. Missouri surpasses 4 000 miles and Texas nears 5 000 as Iowa trails many others yet remains ahead of Kansas Nebraska Minnesota and several mountain states in road development.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Iowa
Indiana
Ohio
New York
Washington
Wisconsin
Kentucky
Illinois
California
Massachusetts
Georgia
Tennessee
Texas
Missouri
Alabama
Connecticut
Main
New Jersey
North Caroline
Pennsylvania
South Caroline
Kansas
Nebraska
Minnesota
Dakotas
Michigan
Mountain States
Highways and road projects across states in 1913 era
A compilation of early 20th century road developments and funding across several states. It notes Midland trail spending, California bond elections, Colorado and Montana road efforts, and Indiana flood damage estimates. It also discusses road construction methods, drags, and maintenance costs, with practical notes on sandy roads and drag operation.
King road drag booster answers questions on road work
D Ward King, inventor of the King road drag, argues for soft foundation via no plowing, dragging deep ruts, and slantwise loading. He describes multi horse teams, widening by furrows after rains, and favors the split log drag over plank or heavy timber. Convict labor on roads is cited as cost effective and productive in several states.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
D. Ward King
Colorado
Tynan
Ute Pass
Lincoln Highway
Colorado Springs
Fen
Iowa Convicts to Work on Roads
The last general assembly approved convict labor on highways under state supervision. Prisoners work under the warden’s custody, with wages shared between prisoners or their families. County boards may request convicts for road work via the highway commission.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
General Assembly
Board of Control
State Highway Commission
Highway Commission
Also Mentioned on This Page
Crushed Rock Road
Pacific Coast
Boards of Supervisors
Commission
Ames
D. P. Hogan
Massena
Drs. Greenleaf
Penquite
Anstey
Page County
Minors Association of Highway Commissioners
Bloomington
Barkdale
Texas Creek
America
Silver Bow
San Bernardino Mountain Range
Montana
A. W. Mahon
T. D. Neate
G .R. Metten
Dillon
Gary
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