Richland Farmers Fight for Better Rail Access
Local farmers advocate for a new, flatter road to the Leslie Siding, seeking to reduce transport costs and bypass difficult terrain.
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A great many of the farmers in and around Richland are advocating a new road from a point southwest of town across the Yakima river in the vicinity of Gordon Moores' ranch. The idea is to secure a road with a more reasonable grade to the O.-W. R. & N. siding at Leslie, and if the road is built as contemplated, it will bring Richland within two miles of railroad transportation. The present road to Leslie from Richland makes it necessary to go through private land and climb an extremely high hill, and were the new road put through, this would be obviated. A great many prominent men are at work trying to have this road built and it is hoped that it will be constructed in the very near future.
“The present road to Leslie from Richland makes it necessary to go through private land and climb an extremely high hill.”
Transportation infrastructure has always dictated the success of the Tri-Cities' agricultural economy. This 1916 struggle for efficient transit to the rail siding echoes modern-day regional debates over port expansion and highway infrastructure planning.
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