The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1926-07-30
ELY--|SAbELLEA
ROAD AN ASSET
PRONOUNCED THE MOST PLEAS
ANT AND SCENIC DRIVE IN
AMERICA BY TOURISTS-DE-
VOID OF ACCIDENTS-BOTH
COUNTIES BENEFIT BY ROAD.

Every day tourists travelling over
the Ely-Isabella road connecting
with the Lake Superior International
Highway at Little Marais and Fin
land bring glowing words of praise
of the scenic wonders of this road
and the "Circle Trip to Minnesota's
Wilderness Country"
Thousands find in this road a
chance to tour the virgin wilderness
country, see wild game and take
advantage of the pure air and cool
ing breezes without the necessity of
doubling back over the same route
either coming or going. Duluth the
southernmost point of the circle trip
and Ely the northernmost, give the
tourist the opportunity of a 254
mile journey in which they traverse
varied and picturesque surroundings
ranging from wilderness in its orig
inal glory filled with wild game +;
modern cities filled with busress
houses and homes and containing
the best school systems in the
United States and climate the best
in the United States according to
the health report just issued by the
government.
In speaking of the road, the Lake
County Chronicle published at Two
Harbors claims it an asset to Lake
County and we wish to add that it
is also a fine asset for st. Louis
County. The Chronicle says:
''That the Ely-Isabella road is a
real asset to Lake county is evi-
denced by the many comments re-
ceived in many quarters because OF
its unique characteristics and "hos.
Owens, this week. in connection
with the publicity on the Lake
Superior international Highway, has
received a letter from prominent
Duiuthian voicing the sentiment of
many that the road should not be
improved beyond the elimination of
the most dangerous curves. This is
the policy of the county board ac-
cording to Highway engineer H. c..
Hanson, who declares that plans
as contemplated will eliminate haz-
ardous places in the road.
"The Ely Finland road is unique
in that it has an excellent surface
and is so tortuous that the driver
who is not familiar, is ever expect
ant as to the view which will be
presented around the next turn.
Along with its curves the contour
is followed so that one gets the
sensation of riding on the waves
and many persons experience the
feeling of seasickness when making
the trip at a fair speed.
1.-The road was built by improving
the old toteroads of the lumber COM
panies which did very little grading
but followed the contour of the
country and it is probably the best
crooked road in Minnesota. Strange
as it may seem, there has never
been a serious accident on this
stretch of road notwithstanding The
fact that there are places that the
view is not open for more than a
hundred feet, and in many places
not room for two cars ID pass.
"The following letter expresses
the general sentimest regarding the
road and its improvement:
Mr.. Thomas Owens,
Two HarborS, Mimi.
Dear Mr.. Owens -
Knowing your interest in keep
ing our highways beautiful as well
as of practical utility, / wish to call
your attention to the Isabella Road.
drove over it yesterday for the
first time this year. Notwithstand-
ing the heavy rain, the road bed was
in most places surprisingly good and
with the exception of one or two
short stretches had been widened so
that two cars could pass comfort
ably.
"All this is admirable but It is,
l believe, about all that should be
done. As the road now exists l