The Kennewick courier-reporter. [volume] (Kennewick, Wash.) 1914-1938, 1918-08-22
AUTO MAGAZINE
LAUDS BENTON ROADS
Inland MOtOrist Tells of the Fine
Highways where Once the
Tourist Got Stalled

/ Benton county's roads are no longer
the bugbear of the auto tourist. In
/ stead of the miles of sand and chuck
holes which in previous seasons have
caused this route to be Stunned by
the traveller, first-rate hard-surface
highway now stretches from the Ho-
yer ferry to the west boundary of the
county. All this is set forth, that all
who ride may read, in well illus
trated article in the Inland Motorist,
official organ of the Tri-State Auto
mobile club, published at Walla Walla.
The article, in part, follows: -
For the motorist who contemplates
trip to the Sound or down the North
Bank road to Portland from the east
ern side of the state, the knowledge
that he may drive across what was
formerly sandhills and ruts on a
good macadam road is very pleasing.
Today this is possible, and Benton
county is to be congratulated on her
enterprise in making it possible. No
where were the roads worse, and the
word went out till it was spoken of in
every corner. At present the only por-
tion that is not up to the standard is
small stretch just after crossing
the ferry, but this was brought about
thru the failure of the contractor to
complete his contact, and the high
water that has submerged the gravel
pits. As soon as the water recedes
sufficiently to allow hauling Of the
river gravel work will be continued
till it is all finished.
Benton county is fortunate in hav-
ing plenty of river gravel which is
mixed with peculiar clay that makes
good binder. Under these condi-
tions it is possible to maintain the
roads in good condition with the mini
mum cost.
From the western boundary of the
county, at Hover where the ferry OPP,
crates to Alfalfa, the road follows
along the banks of the Columbia for
some miles, turning of. to the left
where lit passes thru the. famous
strawberry section, on its way to Ken
newick, the principal city of the
county.
The entire trip of about 60 miles is
all good road, carrying the traveller
thru miles of county with prosperous
farms and comfortable homes on ev-
| ey side; over hills. with nothing but
sage brush to break the monotony.
Ten miles beyond Kennewick is Rich
land with an ideal camping park, open
| to the motorist who desires. to stop.
From the point the Yakima river is
crossed, and the road follows to
great extent along or close to it. Some
very pretty scenery is encountered
along the way, among the more prom
inent being the stretch between Ben
ton City and Prosser. This portions
of the road winds along the side hills,
thru rugged formation that closely
resembles the famous Garden Of the
Gods of Colorado. At the same time
the Yakima river is in sight, following
along it's course some distance below
the road.
Leaving the hill side road, you come
closer in to Prosser and the most in
tensifed farming district. Alfalfa
fields, orchards and vineyards cover
the country in every direction, form
ing a very interesting picture. Driving
thru Prosser, the second city of i'm
portance in the county, you continue
west and north toward Grandview,
crossing the county line between these
two points.
To drive across the county would
only consume a couple of hours, but to
see all the interesting features would
take several days. Benton county is
awake to the benefits of the tourist
travel and is doing her part to make
their visit thru her section worth
while.
- ZIG-ZAG