The Nevada journal., 1863-01-14
REPORT OF A SURVEY
For 4 Turnpike Road from the White
Cloud Gap to BoWmnu's Ranch, via.
Washington aud Canon Creek.

TIE problem presented for solution in
the survey just made may be tkus briefly
stated; Can q route FER turnpike road
he found u connect Noyala CITY with
Nevada Territory by the way of the Hen
ness Pass which shall be superior to all
othor transmontaue routes? aai is the Canon
Creek route such an one as will fulfill the
required condition
Tho growth OF Nevada Territory from the
time Of the first discovery and deve lopment
Of its mineral resources, has been rapid al
most beyond example. Already ii has a
large and constantly increasing population.
From tle nature Of the country this pop
uiato3 must he largely sopp,ial with bread
Siu!ts1naau.acture3 goods and the necessary
material aad machinery for working the
mtaes. from California. This has given
rise to q pressing demand for easy commu-
ui"stioa across the Sierra Nevada mountains
by good wagon roads. To satisfy this de. |
mand several r>ads have been built-the |
travel and transportation over which have /
already bee2ne Immense, aud are increasing /
beyond Al precedent.
Nevada City, fron its favorabl, location.
its close proximity to the lE,nuess Pass.
the west as well as tho best pass over the
SlerraS; and being a,nost in u direct liue
Between ii and SacrNmeut1. the great dis
tribu;jac point .or this portion Of the State
as wei as for Nevada Territory. should con-
troll large share Of this overland traffic.
and reap the benefits to be derived there
from. Bot such has not been the case
Inro0Sa iaertuess, want of enterprise, or
over taatiousness ou the par, Of its citizens,
or s1m2 other cause, its natural advantages
OF location have arai,ol nothing More en-.
tfrprisa5 rival towns have turned aside the ,
Il .I o! trade, anl tnaSscs by On either side.
True, Nevada City is connected with the
eastern slope by road; but that part of it ,
between Ncvala City and Bowmau's ranch {
has 50 many Objectionable features that it d
com naulS but hid, more than the local tray y
ei t. and from Nevada City. These ohjee- 81
tiapaha features VIII he stated elsewhere in e
this report. Il
In order to a proper and full understand :
a5 oi tue location and advantages Of tho c
a " roato which | have just surveyed and r
1catod, connecting Nevada City with the Il
Ilenness Pass, a brief description orfhe IN lin "
geographical features Of the section Of n
luntry through which il passes will be nee Il
ssprv :.
Ia ezra Nevada range o mountains run. n,
IeaFiy North aud South. Its western slope,
lear the lenncss Pass, is accply inlentcd
y two principal stroams-the Middle aud
oGta ubt rivers ald their tributaries. BE- .,
Seen THESE streams, and south Of the South :,
uoa At point north Of Nevada City, and
'r - miles eastward are two main ridges a
al dehnel and continuous. ranging nearly -
asst and west. The riige lying between the l.,
u5as known as the Eureka ridge. is also
ecp!Y indentol at point 80 miles northeast
ON Nevada City by Cauon Creek, tribu- .
lrS Of the South Yuba, the general coarse Y
which Is northeast and southwest The L,
dse south Of the South Yuba, known as
&c Washington ridge, terminates abruptly
POINT about - miles east Of Nevada
iN,'t Bear Nailey-heade1 of by the South
lhI river. rel
Eirstoia City. on the Eastern slone is q ra'
ne to the north ol east from Nevada CITY, tio
le Henness Pass is little 60 the north ef ra'
straight line drawn between the two pla- Ne
From the mouth Of Canon Creek to its tho
arce, the general direction is northeast; tio
IN the same point the Sou,h Yaba bears Hc
ariy east Between these streams. near fac
elr junction, lies the elevated plateau dis
all Creek, the altitude of which i rear Owe
eQuaa to that of the Henness Pass. To wai
eastward Of this Fall Creek level, high Viz
'Ss aud broken ranges of mountains rise mo-
endless confusion. Go
straight line from Nevada CITY to the init
nness Pass will pass not far from either teri
vmap's RineS, or the town Of Washing. tho