ROAD
MAPS
Just one more article
regarding the roads around 1917. This
was a very interesting time because roads
and method of transportation were changing so quickly.
I have acquired a book of maps and information about San Diego
County dated 1917 and presented by the Board of Supervisors (thanks to Pam Carroll).
It shows small maps of all areas in San Diego County in detail.
This was when San Diego County had control of Campo Road or Highway
94.
The information included
in the book referred to rules of driving, safety and care of cars or
trucks. These were supplied
by Goodrich National Touring Services (Similar to our AAA today).
Here is a comment regarding tires “Don’t drive in ruts or car
tracks. This certainly plays havoc with a tire. A casing is just like a shoe, with sole and uppers-tread and
side walls. In rut driving
you strike the tire on its uppers, not so well protected, and soon injure
it. Wear it as intended on
its ‘sole’ or tread.”
Much was said about
traffic rules and regulations. We
must remember new rules regarding courtesy of the road.
Accidents were caused daily because of the additional speed of
travel. It was a lot different and more dangerous than driving a
horse and buggy. Example
“Horses once frightened by autos are often nervous long after and shy on
slightest provocation. On
narrow highways watch them closely, slow down car, reduce noise of
exhaust, run carefully by at a safe margin.
There may be a ditch close by, where a sudden jump would overturn
vehicle.” Most of the other laws mentioned are the same as we currently
have.
Ideas have not changed
much regarding good roads, just the circumstances.
Here is an article included entitled
“Good Roads” (13)
“No greater national
necessity exists than the need of improved transportation facilities.
To get foodstuffs to market, to relieve congested railroad
terminals and to get manufactured products from factories to the jobber
and to consumer are immediate necessities that are imperative to the
success of the nation in its warfare.
Road building as an economic factor in the life of the nation in
the time of war, as well as peace, has become a vital necessity.
“Our Government states
that we must prepare and reform ourselves to face war. (World War I).
If this is true then all our plans must be on a permanent basis.
Make-shifts and temporizing must be abandoned at the very start.
We must plan for and engage upon a fixed, steady course of
development of our public road system.
“Road improvement programs
in county and state must continue and preparation made for their
completion Upon state and county officials rest very largely the
burden of this responsibility. The
improvement of roads should be made in view of their importance as traffic
agencies to the nation and state as well as to the counties.
The need of their improvement ‘for America’s sake’ and ‘
for America’s immediate needs and safety’ should be the dominant idea
in the mind of every official having in charge this work.”
