The Oroville weekly gazette. [volume] (Oroville, Wash.) 1905-19??, 1914-07-31
A MUCH NEEDED HIGHWAY
And That is "a Good Wagon Road from
OrOyille to Nighthawk

A road needed more than any other
in this part of the county is one up the
north bank of the Similkameen river
| between Oroville and Nighthawk. 1t
is almost the only accessible outlet
| from the valley that is not provided
| with wagon road. The building of
road up the river has been agitated
for years, yet the agitation has never
reached beyond a preliminary survey,
and there it rested. The greatest ply
sical obstacle to overcome is for a
short distance at that point on the
| river known as Rich Bar, the scene of
Il great placer excitement in the early
| SOS, and that obstacle is not greater
| than is to be found on almost any of
| the mountain roads in use in this part
OF the state. The distance where heavy
work is necessary is comparatively
| short, and could be readily overcome.
| There is a wagon road from Night
hawk almost to Rich Bar, and a travel
ed road from Oroville to a point be-
yond the Similkameen falls. The
hiatus between the two pieces of road
is only mile or two, and the point
is to connect the two ends. The parts
Of this road now in use is far from be-
only few hundred dollars would put
them in excellent condition. The en-
tire road can be built at small expense
in comparison to the great convenience
it would be to the residents of a large
scope of country. A good road up the
Similkameen riven would accommo-
date about as much travel as goes over
any of the roads in this part of the
county. The road is now especially
needed as the mining claims around
Nighthawk and on the south end of
Kruger mountain are being prospected
and opened up. There is not a parti
cal of doubt as to the extent and value
Of the ore in the district between Oro-
vile and Nighthawk. 1t has been ex-
posed and is in sight, and these claims
are not going to remain idle much
longer. To see is to be convinced and
when men with capital are induced to
see active operations are certain to
fellow Already much is being done in
the way of mining, and that is merely
a starter to what may be expected
within the next few months. The
opening OF mines creates business, and
class Of business that is worth the
while OF the merchants of this place
to look after. With a good wagon road
up the river all, or the greater por-
ton of this business would naturally
gravitate to Oroville. Under present
conditions in order to reach Night
hawk, or the Similkameen valley from
Oroville ii is necessary to make a
detour of many miles either through
Loomis to the southwest, or British
Columbia and Richter pass to the
north AS feeder to Oroville, and as
q great convenience, a wagon road up
the Similkameen river would be of i'm
mense benefit to Oroville.
AT the present time it looks as
though that long needed road is to be
at last provided. Recently the COM
missioners have issued instructions
to the surveyor to make a survey of
this road and report as to the cost of
the same. County Engineer H. A.
Young was in town Monday and stated
that he expected to commence work
within a few days, and be prepared
to make report in time to commence
work of construction this year. If
| be open for travel this winter.