Road Hazards: The Battle Over Open Range on Public Highways
Complaints mount as wandering livestock turn Washington's highways into dangerous obstacles for motorists.
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Tourists and local residents have filed numerous complaints this month regarding horses and cattle grazing along public highways, forcing drivers to come to complete stops to avoid collisions. The problem is particularly acute along the Clarkston-Pomeroy highway and the North and South highway between Lewiston and Culdesac, especially during morning and evening hours. Taxpayers maintain these roads at great expense, yet the presence of stock poses a constant threat of property damage and personal injury. Under Washington state law, grazing stock on public highways is a misdemeanor punishable by fines and imprisonment. County officials are currently investigating and have warned that owners of roaming livestock will face prosecution if the practice continues.
“It is pointed out that the highways are built and maintained at a considerable expense by the taxpayers, and should never be used under any consideration for grazing purposes.”
While modern highway fencing has evolved, the conflict between agricultural land use and public infrastructure remains a recurring point of tension in rural Washington. This 1920s report reflects the era's transition from open-range traditions to a state dominated by automotive travel and strict civic regulation.
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