Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1921-06-16
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our most important present road project at
the canyon undoubtedly is the requirement. of the
Kim road. Only horse travel was permitted on
this road; directed the opening of the road to
motor travel, and the public transportation serv
Ice was changed from horse to motor propelled
vehicles. Since then the road has-suffered great
zeal from the heavy travel over it. Eight miles
III length, 1t was paved in 1913 by the Santa Fe
railroad in order that attractive trip might be
available for winter visitors 1t was practically
worn out when taken over by u.s. and is only
single width and not adapted to two-way travel.
Il have also submitted an estimate to commence
the construction of a rim road eastward from Ell
Toyar toward Desert View. Upon its completion,
within two three years, we will have q rim
road drive from Hermit Rest the west of official
headquarters to Desert View, distance Of over
40 miles. For scenic beauty it will challenge com
parison.
"The estimates also include an item for secur-
ing right of way for the Ell Tovar-De View
Rim road. hope this expenditure of government
funds will not be necessary, feel that the priv
ate holdings which will be crossed by the pro-
posed road will be sufficiently benefited by it's
construction to make it to the advantage of the
owners of these lands to donate a right of way.
| feel sure these owners are public spirited as
to take this point of view and that In donating
this right Of way they not only benefting them
selves and Grand Canyon park but also the people
who visit the park.
in addition to the improvement and mane-
nance work the Rim road and other upkeep
work On the other park roads, the present FL
Tovar-Desert View road has been widened,
Strengthened and reshaped for about One-haf its
entire length. Many dangerous curves and grades
have been eliminated and the general condition
of the road improved.
"a complete telephone system which will con-
meet the north and south rim of the canyon and
the ranger stations that will be built for the
ranger force is of future needs. This can
be postponed until next year, and l have not in
Guided it in my estimates to congress. 1t may be.
practicable to connect the north and south rims
by wireless, either telephone telegraph and
this question is receiving careful study
There are some developments planned by the
Santa Fe railroad in Grand canyon, of which
is the construction of water system which will
probably have for its source Bright Angel creek
on the north side of the river, and possibly the
establishment of small power plant on that
creek. The establishment of an adequate water
supply for the south rim of the canyon Is a serious
problem and one that must soon be definitely
solved Water on the north rim near Bright Angel
Point Is secured at present from several small
springs, that with little improvement will probably
be adequate in quantity and quality. On the
south rim of the canyon, however, the hotel and
railroad have to haul their water by train from
Del Rio, about 125 miles distant. Every gallon of
water has to come that distance The tremendous
daily cost of this is at once apparent and the
great desrablty of installing some system by
which water can be pumped either from the floor
of the canyon, about l mile below the surface of
the rim, from elsewhere is obvious 1t Is ap-
parent that travel may sometime reach a point
where with the present method of securing water
we will not be able to a sufficient quantity
Of that precious fluid to supply each traveller
'The organic act creating this park authorizes
us to negotiate with the county of Coconino for
the purchase Of its rights in the Bright Angel toll
road and trail and to report to congress the terms
upon which this property can be secured. An eff
fort bas been made the past year to arrive at
satisfactory basis of settlement with the county Of
COconinO for the transfer of the Bright Angel
trail, but thus far without definite results Our
engineer department has, however made prellm-
mary examination Of the situation, covering In
fact the entire trail situation in the park
probably the greatest problem confronting the
service upon its taking the administration
of the park the existence of the many claims
of alleged mineral value. Among these were the
claims located by Ralph H. Cameron which have
been in litigation for several years. Twenty-three
den Eagle, Cape Horn, Wizard Alder mill site,
Willow mill site, Magician Banjo Millionaire Sen
tlnel Treasure, Peg Leg Hill Top, Sunfower Lime
stone, Goldenola, Ida May, Buttinsky Cheyenne,
Dakotah, Bannock. Apache, Folly, Hermit Gorge "