The Fight to Turn Snoqualmie Pass Into a State Highway

A strong movement is on foot to have the old Snoqualmie road, from North Bend through Snoqualmie Pass, converted into a state road. Petitions have been sent to the legislature urging passage of a bill authorizing the improvement, and a strong fight is being made for the measure, with assurances of support from a number of members. The plan is to build the road from North Bend, by way of the Snoqualmie Pass, to Ellensburg. The road from North Bend to the summit is the old toll road and will need a number of repairs. From the summit, or pass, to Cle Elum and from there to Ellensburg, the route has been surveyed and is thought to be excellent, with good grades. When the road is built through to Yakima, the eastern and western portions of the state will be connected by first-class roads. There is an extension road from Ellensburg south to Yakima and across the Columbia River to Pasco, Walla Walla and eastern Oregon. From North Bend there are two good roads to Seattle, by way of Fall City, Redmond and Kirkland. The latter road was built about two years ago and is one of the best roads in the city; it is graded and well kept. From six miles above North Bend to the summit is the finest timber land in the state, and all around North Bend and Snoqualmie are large hop ranches and farms. Before the Northern Pacific was built, several thousand cattle were driven yearly from Ellensburg through the pass to North Bend and from there to this city. The people on the east side of the mountains ask for a first-class road instead of the old toll road, so that they can get their products to this market and not be compelled to travel over rough, unkept roads as they do now. It is estimated that the cost of the road from North Bend through the pass to Ellensburg, a distance of forty-three miles, including bridges, will be about $1,500 per mile. For this amount the road can be built with nothing greater than a 10 per cent grade, and it would open travel from June 1 to November 30. The highest elevation is Snoqualmie Pass, the lowest pass in the area. One of the most energetic workers for the road is T. Taylor, brother of William H. Taylor, ex-county commissioner of this county. Mr. Taylor traveled the road about a year ago from North Bend to the summit and is familiar with the entire route. With the aid of K. F. Rendill, draughtsman of the county commissioners of King County, Mr. Taylor has prepared a map showing the route and will submit it to the governor at Olympia today.