The Battle for the Sunset Highway
Delegates from six counties clash in Wenatchee over the proposed route for the new state highway, revealing deep-seated regional rivalries.
The story, cleaned up
A cleaned-up reading of the newspaper page: spelling and layout repaired, one story lifted off a crowded page. It follows the original closely but it is not a transcription. The original page is below; read it if a detail matters.
A meeting of good roads delegates from six North Central Washington counties—Kittitas, Douglas, Grant, Okanogan, Lincoln, and Chelan—was held at the commercial club hall in Wenatchee to determine the path of the Sunset Highway. Representing the interests of Coulee City, D. D. Ray, C. A. Stapleton, James Howell, Tom Perry, Tom Twining, W. J. Smith, Claude Gilbert, and Al Pierpont attended. A significant tension arose during the proceedings when Ephrata delegates sought to prioritize a road connection solely benefiting their immediate area. Thos. Parry of Coulee City successfully countered this, asserting that Coulee City represented the greater portion of Grant County's tax base and business volume, effectively securing their position in future planning. The proposed route, surveyed by University of Washington civil engineering students, calls for a 38-mile link costing $152,000, promising a vital, all-weather artery connecting the region.
“Mr. Parry placed Coulee City squarely on the map in its proper place in such a manner that it is not likely to be disturbed again in the near future.”
This 1916 infrastructure fight underscores the perpetual political struggle to define the 'center' of Grant County. Even a century later, regional debates over state highway priorities and rural connectivity remain essential to the identity and economic health of North Central Washington communities.
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