The Wallace miner. [volume] (Wallace, Idaho) 1907-current, 1915-12-16
M|SSOULA-WALLACE
POULAR AUTO ROAD
SPLENDID HIGHWAY POSSESSES
MANY ATTRACTIVE FEAT
uREs FOR TOURIST.

IL. E. Wood in Anaconda Standard)
one of the principal factors in so
successfully stimulating overland
travel through ives >"-n Montana this
season over the Yellowstone National
park highway has been the road be-
tween Missoula and Wallace, by way
Of st. Regis and Saltese. Not SO
very long ago 1t was impossible to
make this trip except by way OF
Thompson Falls, and this route was
not suitable for auto travel, although
1t has been put in better condition the
last year. Two years ago, when Mis-
soula county made its final plans FOR
la five-year good roads campaign, 1t
recognized the necessity of cutting
trail straight through the Occur
d'Alene district to Wallace. And this
plan was accomplished The creation
Of Mineral county interrupted the
scheme to certain extent, but before
that county assumed its own govern
ment, Missoula had driven the trail
all the way to the top of the Mon
by a good road constructed from the
Wallace side of the big hill. Mineral
county has made some slight improve
ment in this highway through the
west end of it's territory, but the cred
it for opening up this route, one of the
most picturesque and scenic through
Montana, is due to the mother coun
ty.
Heavy Travel Last Year.
The Missoula- Wallace road was
travelled extensively this season. Most
of the way it is in splendid condition.
Out of Missoula and for 40 miles, the
drivesis always delightful one. Thir
ty or 35 miles an hour is the usual
time made by autos over this stretch,
for the roadbed is as smooth as
paved street and there are no sharp
turns or steep grades. A good driver
can open his throttle until the speed
ometer shows 30-mile gait and never
lower his speed, except to take one
railroad crossing, over this whole dis
lance. At first this was a dry wea-
Their road and had spots which were
slippery after a rain. But with its
auto gravel trucks and big steam
shovel, Missoula county has spread
grading and graveling costing at the
rate of $125 per mile from the city Of
Missoula through to the Mineral coun-
ty line.
When Missoula county undertook to
carve out this Wallace route, the work
presented much new construction and
expense. The 15-mile grade from
Saltese to the top of the divide was
the largest single unit of the trail. 1t
was splendidly done, however, with
but one short distance having maxi
mum grade of more than 6 per cent
Between Iron Mountain and st. Re-
gis there had never been a road wor-
thy of the name, and it cost $4,000 to
put in highway between these two
towns and an additional $500 to build |
a steel bridge just west of st. Regis |
over the river of the same name At
Cyr another new combination bridge
was built costing $4,000, and the
grading on each side, the bridge and
the new approaches eliminating a bad
7-mile grade, costing $4,000 additional.
Its Popularity
But the tourist, as he opens wide his
throttle and speeds along on his way
from coast to coast does not care so
much about what roads cost as about
their condition. He feels satisfied
that the counties that spend the mon
ey now for these through highways
no matter how much they invest, are
going to profit in the end, because of
he increased travel through their dis
riots, the advertising thus secured
md the benefits of the trunk lines to
heir own people. So as he passes
llong he Is anxious only that the roads
'e In good condition and that there is
scenery and things of interest along
he way for him and his family to en- p,
oy. This is why the Missoula-Wal
ace highway sprang into such sud s
EN- popularity this season. 1t is a
God road 1t is scenic all along its
ength and because it passes through
he very center of the Occur d'Alene \
inning district, known worldwide. q
rip over 1t is keenly interesting and
EDUCATIONAL. The Missoula- Wallace I
QUITE has called many tourists back
ere after they have made the trip
rom Yellowstone to Glacier park. they d
referring to drive the extra distance $
nd go west by way of Wallace 70 L
pokane rather than to take the nor Il
fern route from Glacier park. n
Missoula county's end of this WAL q
zee road Is in fine condition this fall
ineral county is. working on some A
ranges in the route and promises to A
ave the trail in good shape early A
,xt season. A