The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1913-07-25
Scenic Highway Is
Rightly Named
From Saturdays Daily.

which occurred to John H. Hohmann
and his party, the STORY of which is
told elewhere, the sociability tour
of the Mankato Auto club yester-
day to the Minneapolis Auto club
house. just beyond the Bloomington
bridge, was a decided success from
every angle. While not as many au-
toists as was expected participated
in the run, there was a decidedly
large number and with those who
Joined the party enroute, something
like 400 people arrived at the Min
neapolis organizations club house on
schedule time. The run was made
without special incident. There
were a few minor mishaps, but moth
ing of serious nature The roads
were in fairly good condition. The
worst stretch of road is on the other
side of Shakopee. A number of
mudholes were encountered 1t is
passing strange that such a bad
condition of things should be per-
road and especially "a highway that
leads into a large city like Mime
apolis.
Most of the visiting autoists ate
their dinners at the club house. A
number brought their lunches with
them and enjoyed picnic spreads.
The service in the dining room of
the club house was not what it
should have been in view of the fact
that the management had been noti-
fled three hours in advance that
many people from Mankato would
have to be served and many auto
lists would join the party en- route.
1t was long after three o'clock in
the afternoon before a number of
people were served with dinner
The Scenic Highway.
The Scenic Highway is rightly
named. Nothing more appropriate
could be attached to the postroad
that is to be constructed between
Mankato' and Minneapolis. The
scenery along the route is certainly
beautiful. Until yesterday the writ
er had no idea of the grandeur of
the country that lies between Man.
kato and Minneapolis. 1t is an in
spiration, and after a trip over the
Scenic Highway one becomes more
impressed than ever with the fact
that there is no state in the Union
that can compare with Minnesota
in all things that make for wealth
happiness and contentment.
Yesterday was an ideal day for
an auto outing. The air was fresh
ing breeze that carried to the tour
lists the smell of new mown hay.
The sun shed its rays in a friendly
manner. AS the autoists sped along
they saw great heaps of wealth piled
up on each side of the roadway
Large stacks of rye ready for the
separator were in evidence. Corn
that had attained remarkable
growth under most favorable wealth
er conditions, and there are vast
fields of grain which will soon be
ready for the binder All combined
made pretty picture. The coun-
try is rolling and there is an abund-
ance of timber, all of which makes
handsome setting for the painting
in the foreground.
Will Be Popular Driveway.
After it is improved, the Scenic
Highway will be popular driveway
between Mankato and the twin CT
condition and it has been demon
strated that the trip can be made
in a few hours. Yesterday the au-
toists made the run in less than
four hours. Returning last night
Allan Jackson covered the distance
in less than three hours and half
in an Auburn car. 1t could have
been made in three hours had con-
ditions been to the drivers liking.
The improvement of the highway
means that the grades will be re-
duced and number of curves will
be straightened; also the lie Sueur
hill-a bad spot in the road-will
be cut so that so much time will
not be lost in making the ascent.
1t has been suggested that the Oma-
ha make grade crossing where the
st. Peter road now crosses it's
tracks north of the city. This
would eliminate a danger point in
the highway and permit autoists
and drivers of teams to move along
with more rapidity.
The trip made yesterday by the
Mankato autoists and those who
joined them en- route will serve to
attract attention to the highway
This was the first auto tour ever
made. over the Scenic Highway. 1t
will not be the last. Once the road
is improved these excursions are
sure to be more frequent. The result
will be an impetus in the good roads
movement in those sections where
it is tagging.
Means Much For Mankato.
The Scenic Highway means much
for Mankato. 1t will divert travel
into this city that is now going
elsewhere. Tourists will spend their
money in Mankato. They will see
this city. The Scenic Highway will
not only be a social factor but il
will be highly improved artery OF
trade and commerce.
Returning last night Mr.. Jackson
came via the LIE Sueur and Ottawa
road. This is the finest stretch Of
highway between Mankato and the
twin cities. A speed of more than
forty miles an hour can be main