Roseburg review. [volume] (Roseburg, Or.) 1885-1920, 1886-08-06
i HAG0S ROAD no THE NdTToNAL
PARK.

Through the efforts Of Hon. D. Hermann
the great national wonder Crater lake, and
the beautiful scenery surrounding it on the
summit Of the Cascade mountain was by act
of Congress set apart for national park.
Some Of the enterprising citizens OF Roscbarg
and vicinity seeing the advantage wagon
road would be 10 our city and county from
the settlements on Deer creek and the North
Un,pqua River across the mountain TO this
point Of interest, raised sufficient fund FOR the
purpose Of making survey and for the pur-
pose employed the veteran pathfinder, ]. NJ.
Arlington, who, with a competent force started
out to find practical route for wagon road
from Roseburg TO the summit oflhc mountain,
connecting US with the roads leading from cas-
tern and southern Oregon to the lake. Mr..
Arlington and force have returned from their
labors, looking fresh and invigoratcd from their
mountain trip, and report practical and easy
grade for a road from the end of the wagon
road on the east fork Of the North Umpqua to
the Rogue river military wagon road at the
summit Of the mountain about fifteen miles
from the lake.
To construct a good, practical wagon road
with much better grade than the road from
Roscburg TO Mr.. Engles' place, the point of
commencement will require but little grading
and little or no blasting. isby actual meas.
urcment only 72H miles from Roseburg to the
point Of the survey connecting with the Rogue
river military wagon road which would at once
connect us not only with the national park but
directly with the sage brush and bunch grass
Of eastern Oregon. The advantage of such a
road not only to the people of Roscburg but
to the farmers and cattle men of this county
and the entire Willamette valley, must per force
strike every intelligent mind favorably. Be-
SIDES this road, when constructed, will open
up grass and meadow lands in the wilds of the
mountains, sufficient 10 keep the entire stock
oil our county through the summer months in
good marketable condition. The soil of these
high table lands is Of the best quality, and
there arc numerous burns and prairies upon
II
TO the estimate made by Mr.. Arlington it will
require but few thousand dollars to build a
good wagon road over this route. Apd would
il not be economy in our county to insure its
construction at an carly date? The facility
Tor settlement that it would open up would in
short pcriol Of time secure 10 our county pop
ulation and wealth that would more than COM
pensate for the amount expended in the in
crease Of our tax roll. The County Court has
the power and authority to establish a legal
road within the county limits. This once done
and sufficient appropriation to commence
its construction and the result is accomplished
The next legislature would no doubt second so
laudable an enterprise by sufficient appro-
priation TO complete the construction OF the
road, that there is precedence for such an ap-
preparation, the last legislature has. furnished
us ample evidence. This would secure TO the
people OF the the state free wagon road from
the nearest railroad communication to the ma
tional park, and there can be no doubt but the
country would settle along the line OF this road
sufficiently 10 keep it in good repair. Aside
from the national park the road ought 10 be
built and should be free road. Should our
people fail TO act promptly in this matter in
securing county road, VIC may expect, ere
long, TO hear Of a corporation formed to build
toll road which would prove detriment &c
the state and county, and constitute barrier
TO the rapid settlement OF these table land.
which are not so cold, and far more product
i've than many Of the eastern and western state:
which are teaniing with their population.