February 9 – March 27, 1877
The Great Mountain Road Debate of 1877
Seattle editors and Kittitas settlers debated a Snoqualmie Pass wagon road in 1877.
3 reports in The Daily Intelligencer, February 9 – March 27, 1877.
The story
In February and March 1877, The Daily Intelligencer reported on a debate over a proposed wagon and toll road through Snoqualmie Pass. Settlers in the Kittitas Valley argued that such a road was essential to their farms and economic survival, while a March report said local editors urged citizens to fund a toll road and called the grain fields east of the Cascades Seattle’s economic future. The reports do not record a vote, the amount raised, or whether any road was built.
Told from the 3 reports below. The reports are the record.
The archive grouped these reports automatically, by date, place and subject.
The reports 3
- The Daily IntelligencerThe Great Mountain Road Debate of 1877
As Seattle dreamed of a transcontinental railroad, settlers in the Kittitas Valley argued that a simple wagon road was the true key to their economic survival.
- The Daily IntelligencerThe Struggle for the Snoqualmie Pass Trail
As Seattle grew, settlers in the Kittitas Valley argued that their future prosperity—and the survival of their farms—depended entirely on carving a road through the Cascade Mountains.
- The Daily IntelligencerThe Road to Riches: Seattle’s $33,000 Gamble on the Snoqualmie Pass
In March 1877, local editors urged citizens to fund a toll road through the mountains, arguing that the vast grain fields east of the Cascades were Seattle's only true economic future.
From the pages
The Daily Intelligencer · Feb 9, 1877
The Daily Intelligencer · Feb 15, 1877
The Daily Intelligencer · Mar 27, 1877
Library of Congress, Chronicling America. Public domain.