The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1922-05-04
WEST FLORIDAHAS
FAIRLY GOOD ROADS
They Average Better Today Than
Many Other Sections of Same Length,
Says MANAGING Director Ayres.

Says MANAGING Director Ayres.
The route of the Old Spanish Trail
through West Florida averages better
today than numerous sections Of the
same length westward and upon which
traffic OF hundreds, and IN some places
OF thousands Of cars daily are pass
ing. This is the report brought by
II. 3. Ayres, the managing director,
who returned to Mobile Tuesday from
a weeks trip eastward as far as the
Apalachicola bridge, near Quincy.
Mr.. Ayres states that he went on
this inspection trip expecting to find
conditions unfavorable for general
travel and certain ferries more or less
Of trial. Automobile tourist direct
ors still send traffic through southern
Alabama and Southern Georgia, and
West Floridians had grown accustomed
to the thought they must not yet in
vite travel Mr.. Ayres covered 500
miles on the trip without the slightest
discomfort or car trouble. except one
puncture from nail on the paved
street in Mariana The return from
, the Apalachicola river, 222 miles. was
made in an average running time of
k2a miles per hour, with the driver al
lowed to follow his own wish for there
was no pressure Of time anywhere on
the return. Two ferries were crossed;
one at the Cchoctawhatchee river,
which consumes minutes This ferry
M free, continued and safe. This ferry
has a bad reputation because In some
floods wide detour up into Alabama
Is necessary. G. r. Harne the state
engineer in charge Of the road and
bridge work of that district states
this ferry is in service 345 days year.
This shows Mr. Ayres states. how a
small measure OF interruption serves
to condemn large measure Of good
service.
The Choctawhatchee bridge is under
contract. great fill is now being
thrown up on the west side. The
bridge and approaches will be about
5000 feet
The other ferry, Escambia bay, 10
miles east OF Pensacola, is a delightful
81 mile trip over salt water. The
ferry is a welcome relief from con-
slant driving The time crossing that
bay was 50 minutes The ferry makes
four round trips, Is substantial, safe.
with service and conveniences con-
stantly improving. The charge Is
$3.50 per car. The next ferry was Mo-
bile Bay the most expensive and the
most inconvenient.
There is ferry at the Apalachicola
river on continuous service. 1t is a
safe temporary ferry for that great
bridge. will be open In July In type.
character and beauty that bridge is
declared to be one Of the finest struc-
lures in the United States. With the
approaches ii will be over one mile
y
as one OF the monuments on the Old
Spanish Trail, and Mobile bridge win
be another monument for it is be-
lieved that bridge will be the longest
in the world unless II should happen
to be built further up among the
marshes
The worst stretch Of road was
through Baldwin county That is part
ly due to the spasmodic work progress
ing on that road. The Baldwin county |
board at little expense could do a
great deal right now to give traffic a
better road to Florida.
The inspection carried the party not
only over the Old Spanish Trail, but
down to the gulf where numerous fish
ing winter and summer resorts are
springing up There are wonderfully /
attractive bays, inlets and beaches I
only a few miles Off the highway, and
road to many OF these win be marked
as tourist loops.
Conferences We're held on the east
trip at Loxley Pensacola Milton, Holt, /
Crestview, DeFuniak SPRINGS. West
Vile Chipley and Mariana. on the
return stops We're made at most OF
these places to report. Mr.. Ayres says |
without question, the route across
Florida should be marked, section |
maps issued, campsites established /
and tourist loops laid down and their |
Improvement begun, for travel even
now should seek that country. Great /
road and bridge work are under way
but the authorities are keeping the way !
clear, and II this Old Spanish Trail
work were being put over and more
traffic passing, sections that now are
somewhat rough would be put in better !
condition, through the interest OF Old
spanish Trail members In all Sec
tions the pledge of membership CO.
operation was freely given to have
this work done, and IL this is fulfilled
the Florida section will soon be ready /
with it's hospitality and service for
travel
The next inspection trip viii be west
ward TO New Orleans accompanied by
representatives Of Mobile civic organi- |
cations, to help matters in the Gulf
Boulevard section.
INTERNAL. REVFNITE MAN