Two Neighbors Decide to Build Their Own Road to Town
Farmers of the Calispel valley and two men along the route plan a new road that skips the Bobier hill grade and shaves two miles off the haul to Newport — if the town will chip in.
All the residents of the Calispel valley who have occasion to drive to Newport to bring produce, or on business, as well as all the business men of Newport, are interested in the movement to improve the Calispel road. The road is laid out nearly on the state road survey and in addition to cutting out the heavy haul on the Bobier hill, reaches Newport by a route two miles shorter than the one generally traveled at present.
J. R. Patterson and Mr. Weyrick, residents along the new road, have already spent a good deal of time and some money in getting this road ready for travel and are determined to continue their effort. The road is now in passable condition for light travel and with the improvements contemplated to be made this fall can easily be put in shape for any kind of traffic. It crosses Koch's Point on a comparatively easy grade, and there are no serious difficulties to be encountered at any point.
These gentlemen expect to begin work on the road on September 14th and are now engaged in the endeavor to get help toward completing it. They have had the assurance of some financial assistance, also donations promised in the way of work on the road. The people of Newport, especially the business interests, ought to look into this matter of road improvement and be ready to lend assistance of some sort at that time. The road makes a saving of two miles of travel in reaching Newport from the Calispel country and in addition cuts out the heavy grades. Its completion will make it easier for the valley people to do business in our town.
“Its completion will make it easier for the valley people to do business in our town.”
Before county road budgets meant anything out here, two men with shovels and a survey line simply built the thoroughfare their neighbors needed and then asked the town to help finish it. The pitch is entirely familiar: shorter haul, no killer grade, more farm traffic for Newport's merchants. Swap gravel for pavement and the Calispel valley's road argument could be a county commission meeting this month.
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