The Oroville weekly gazette. [volume] (Oroville, Wash.) 1905-19??, 1915-02-19
MUCH NEEDED ROAD

A strong effort is being made by
those interested in the object to bring
hbout the construction OF a WagOI
road up the north side Of the Similka
meen river, between Oroville anc
Eighthawk. This is a road that has
been needed for twenty years, that has
been under consideration for twenty
Years, yet has progressed no further
Ia twenty years toward completion
Than ragged ends out of Oroville and
Eighthawk. 1t has been surveyed two
pr three times. appropriations have
been set aside by the commissioners
TO be applied on construction, but nc
kctual work has ever been done under
Erection of the county authorities
The recent appropriation OF $4,000 to-
ward building this road, which was
subsequently pulled down, has arous-
ed renewed interest in the project
hmong those living in the part Of the
bounty that would be directly benefit
ed by such road.
The new mining association, with
The backing of the Commercial Club,
has entered upon the task of building
1t least a passable road over the riv-
er route, and those directly interested
IRE actively engaged in securing funds
Md the contribution of labor toward
Ihe object. So far the movers in the
proposition have met with much en-
eouragement. Residents and property
owners along the proposed road, and
kt both ends, have signified their will
+ )ingness to do all in their power to
promote the good work by contribut-
ing labor, and some ready money will
be subscribed. From present indica-
ions it looks very favorable for the
opening of this road this spring. One
Important contributary source is the
inning interests along the river. Un-
Ter the law a claim holder can apply
bis annual representation work, which
IS required in order to hold claim,
8hpon a road that will be direct ben
efit in working the claim. There are
not only numerous claims along the
north side of the Similkameen, but
bome properties so far developed as to
give promise of mipes Of value. The
amount of work that can be derived
from this source alone is almost suf-
hcient to open the road.
# Some people are laboring under the
histaken idea that this road would
only few. scattered
Y z&amilies and interests. 1t is true that
there is not large population i'm
h $hediately in touch with this proposed
road, yet when once opened up it
would be a thoroughfare more gen.
Drally travelled than any road leading
INTO OrOville, with the exception of
4he main valley and east hill road. 1t
|1would reach the farming section from
Palmer lake to and beyond the British
EOlumbia line in the Similkameen val
ley. 1t would connect with the Cana
I6S1ian coast to coast automobile high
way at Keremeos. 1t would provide a
convenient means for claim holders
along the river for transporting sup
plies to their various holdings. AS a
loop around by the way Of Loomis,
across by Spectacle and Whitestone
lakes and up the valley to Oroville it
would be one of the most attractive
scenic drives in the county. Its ad-
gantages would be felt and appreciat-
ed as soon as opened to travel
z This is not a road that can be
cheaply built, but the cost will not be
near as great as some Of the estimates
that have been made in the past. 1t
Is on account of those high estimates
very largely that the county officials
have been backward in inaugurating
the improvement. Recently men fam
11liar with road work have gone care
fully over the ground with the aim OF
picking out the most feasible lines to
FOLLOW. The greatest physical obstacle
rs at the bend at Rich Bar, where the
<X&f''uh iAoCo dpi uPIly ilOh tAC AANCA
Some heavy work WALL be required al
this point, but S. T. Stanton, who has
had much experience in road build.
ing, and who has carefully examined
the ground. declares that the OBJ.
stacles can be readily overcome at ne
great expense.
With the means at command it II
mot claimed that an automobile roa(
S$ can be constructed, but the road car
be opened for the use of vehicles, ant
Il afterwards, with little assistanc,
ii from the county, it can be easily mad'
as passable as any travelled highwa,
n in the county. There is already
W road in use from Oroville to the falls
III L. is the aim to change this to al
s# easier grade. There is also a road
M needing considerable fixing, however
IN from Nighthawk almost to Rich Bal
# The gap between the two ends