The Struggle for a Snoqualmie Road
A cattle driver arrives in Seattle via Snoqualmie Pass, arguing that a functional wagon road would be more transformative for Seattle's economy than a railroad connection.
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. B. Geddis arrived yesterday via the Snoqualmie Pass with 100 head of beef cattle, which he at once sold to S. Coulter & Sons. Geo. Smith was only half a day's drive behind Geddis, with 100 head of cattle, among which are 30 head of work oxen. Mr. Geddis, in speaking of his trip and the country in general, said: 'The roads, or rather the trails, are in fair condition, and we experienced little or no difficulty in coming over the summit. The parties working on the wagon road are pushing it ahead as rapidly as possible and hope to see the people of King county meet them at the summit. Let that road be completed and our streets would be lined with people from our section. I really believe,' he continued, 'that a good wagon road from eastern Washington to Seattle, by way of the Snoqualmie Pass, would be of more direct benefit to your city than a railroad.' When asked about the Southern Pacific work, Geddis remarked: 'I saw a party of about 100 men in a canyon near the pass. I don't know whether the railroad company means to build the branch, or are only making a big bluff to hold the only practicable pass in the Cascade mountains.'
“I really believe that a good wagon road from eastern Washington to Seattle, by way of the Snoqualmie Pass, would be of more direct benefit to your city than a railroad.”
The century-long debate over how best to connect Puget Sound to Eastern Washington—whether via rail, highway, or mountain pass—continues to define Seattle's logistical and political landscape. This story captures the era when the 'wagon road' was the visionary infrastructure project that would eventually evolve into modern highway systems.
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