Lower Sandusky freeman. (Lower Sandusky [i.e. Fremont, Ohio]) 1849-1849, 1849-04-07
PLANK ROADS.

PLANK ROADS.
1t is a striking proof of the superior advantages
of the system of plank roads for the improvement
of our public highways, that wherever they have
been introduced they have been rapidly multiplied,
and few towns that have experienced the benefits
derived from one of them have been content with
one only. Railroads are adopted to the great
thoroughfares of trade and travel and oford their
main advantages to the commercial points where
their several depots fixed but the plank roads
may thread every township, and dispense its bene-
hts at the door of every farmhouse.
The farmer, residing near one of these roads
conducting to a market will find by quick expert
ence, the superiority which he enjoys, above those
who do not possess the same facilities as himself
for reaching that market While for half the year
they are debarred by the condition of the roads
from conveying their produce there his road is the
same at all seasons and he enjoy the exclusive
command of the market during the half year that
those who would compete with him are prevented
from doing SO by the state of the way. He can
thus command higher prices and surer market
At the same time the price of transportation he
will find, on the average, through the year, very
much cheapened. Instead of placing half cord
of wood upon his wagon to be slowly dragged thro
the mud to the next town, he can heap FIVE times
the quantity upon it and carry it in half the time
The effect of such facilities for transportation, on
the price of the farmers land, is easily seem
There are few lands to be found in this county
that viii not have their valuation increased as
much as IS per acre, by the construction of a
plank road near them, to a convenient market.
I It's advantages to the town are as manifest as to
the country, 1t serves to equalize business. The
merchant and mechanic will not be compelled to
wait often days and weeks, for the visits of their
customers, owing to the bad state of the roads, as
lzcz. IL.
i On that the change Of weather effects no change
of condition but at an seasons the visits of Gus
toners may be regular and uninterrupted. Dull
days and weeks will be less frequently heard of in
the store and the work shop owing to the weather
The market prices will be better regulated by it.
and hence all classes of citizens viii derive pecu-
mary benefit The system of plank roads is novel
enterprise, yet in most parts of this State, but
the zeal with which it is embraced in every drec-
ton proves that it has acquired the confidence ol
the public In the northwestern counties of Ohio
plank road projects are becoming quite numerous
and being prosecuted with energy. AT Lower
Sandusky, stock to the large amount of $685.
600 has been subscribed to build a plank roac
to Rome and Tffin, and there is every prospect O
securing the whole amount required to complete
Iit-5o,Oo0
We are indebted to William Baker, ESQ.,, of To
ledo. Secretary of the Toledo plank road company
the first annual meeting of the stockholders. TwC
roads, called the north line, and south road, hav
been located, the affairs of which are kept as dis
tnct as if they seperate corporations; the for
mer being 80 miles in distance, from Toledo to
point in the State line between Ohio and Michigan
the other is Sc miles in length, terminating at tn
. State line, near Angola, Indiana. For the frs
the city of Toledo and individual subscribers in il
took stock to the amount of $16.4oo; for the latte
: $13,950; and about as much more has been sub
scibed from other points The report states the be
lief of the directors, the arrangements entered in
to- promise a rapid fulflment and early completion
!. of the entire work Various other roads hav
been projected, in Wood, Lucas, Williams and 9th
!. er counties in that section of the State.
e The following interesting synopsis of the cos
a and manner of constructing these roads is given
n a recent letter from Mr. T. s. Faxton of Utica,
Y (from which place there are foaw of these road
e in successful operation,) who has had much ez
d perience in this system of improvements H
e says
: Lumber at about SIS per thousand, and layin
d down on an old road and open diches good suice
to carry off the water, and contingent expenses
K embraced, will give you plank road for from l
% to l6 hundred dollars per mile, including toll hou
W es &C.
Of Should you attempt to do much grading it woul
,r increase the expense of which you can Judge b
= the amount to be done and the cost of doing tn;
le part By building roads on new soil the CO.
to is very much increased 1t is best in all cast
ID where it is practicticabe to keep on the line of o.
< iroods.
d Our roads are built with hemlock plank 8 fe
K long, inches thick lain stringers 4 by A. tt
Or strngers laid in such manner as to have the pla1
ID laid on them and at the same time flat on IL
ID ground No pinning or spikng is necessary; b.
r. let the earth be flush with the top of the plank
* the ends, and the plank laid firm on the earth.-
,e The stringers are not to be depended on for an
ee thing more than to steady the plank.
tn We have generally laid the plank on one side
us the centre of the road, and sometimes on the rig
er hand and sometimes on the left hand side, cacul
e. ted for the loaded teams to have the use of IL
lie planked part the other part of the road should
d; flush with the top of the plank and made smoothl
so and all small stones thrown off This will indu
s- many light teams to travel on it and thereby sa
the plank. We calculate our roads to last from
to years, when probably the plank will requi
to be renewed" Huron Reflector
In 0Aaoo-sooRr