The weekly Republican. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1911-1922, 1912-03-28
ECONOMICAL IN The END
Gravel and Crushed Stone Roads
Are Cheaper To Build At First,
But Do Not Last, and the Up
Keep Is Large.

Sixty years ago people in Plym-
outh were discussing the "Good
Roads" question, same as they are
now, only different. In two long
articles in the Plymouth Pilot of
Dec. 3, and 10, 1851, the Editor sets
forth the benefits to the community,
if only they would build plank roads
to South Bend, Laporte and Ro-
chester.
Plank roads had been built part
way from each of these towns, and
Plymouth men were urged to build
the connecting links, and secure
eood reads 1t was pointed out that
Michigan City being the only
seaport in Indiana. it was most
desirable that roads be built to La
porte. so as to enable the farmers to
set produce to that place and on to
Michigan City At South Bend
there was railroad. and also at Lo-
Transport. 1t was better to be indie
Ipendent of the railroad corpora
tons. and have two ways of getting
out with goods-by water and rail
both Logansport had the canal pro-
Iject, and that way was good for the
south.
The editor went over the cost of
making the road. how much easier
for horses to pull the loads-larger
loads and faster-time saved. etc.
He told of the saw mills that could
cut the lumber right on the ground
along the way, the added value to
farm lands, the rate of toll for pas
ling over the roads. The number of
teams per day was figured, the
average toll fees. and all, showing
what big paying venture the build
ing of few miles of plank road
would be.
The people of that day seem never
to have thought that gravel roads
would be better than planks. They
adj the timber The ground must
he cleared. and to make roads of the
lumber was not only getting land
j, cleared, but it was utilizing some of
the surplus stock. Now plank roads
are ont of the question. not even
mentioned Gravel roads that have
been built hereabouts, appear to be
BADLY worn out. and the cry is for
something that will be good and stay
coed. Crushed stone in most see.
tions is laid as the best and cheap
lest way to make substantial road
However, in some places there is
fault found with this. Perhaps it
cones from the manner of. building.
Not giving proper under drainage
Whatever the cause, in some eoun-
ties where stone roads are put in,
there is much complaint, and the
up-keep of these roads is a large
bill of expense.
It j. far TO presume that the
road from. Plymouth to South Bend
IS better than it was sixty years ago
TO be sure IT is given out by peo-
pie who drive over it that the worst
strip cf road in the whole country
ronnd tie nerth part of the state,
is tits particular strip. During most
of the year it is described as vii
famous. Would it be too much to
say that during this period enough
money and labor has been expended
between here and South Bend to
pave a road with brick? A brick
road STAYS there. and settles the ques-
ton of repairs for many years to
come. Much of this sort of road
making is done in Ohio and other
states The first cost is more, GER
tainly, but the value to the property
is that much more always. In build
ing brick roads strip eight to ten
feet wide is laid with vitrified brick
Of course there must be a reason
able amount of grading and arrange
ments for draining. but not so much
as in building proper crushed stone
read. Alongside this brick road is
a dirt road which may be travelled
in good weather, and to rest the
horses feet.
-. Heretofore the question of "pav-
ing brick has been the bugbear,
City street paving with brick has be-
come so general that many firms
are new making paving brick.
Vitrifed brick are brick that have
been subjected to greater degree
of heat than ordinary building brick.
Not all clay that goes into the
brick kiln will stand the heat neces-
sary to canse vitrification, but the
naee ssitv for snch material will
bring the inventive genius of man