Salter tells of 'Most Practical Route For State Highway' in 1914

The following editorial, written by editor and proprietor Q. Salter, appeared in the July 16, 1914 edition of The Monroe Journal newspaper in Monroeville, Ala. under the headline, “MOST PRACTICAL ROUTE FOR STATE HIGHWAY.”

With the manifestation of the proper interest by the citizens of Monroe, there is a reasonable prospect of the adoption of the Old Federal Road as the route for the proposed Mobile-to-Montgomery state highway.

In the days of the stage-coaching before the war, this road was the popular thoroughfare for all travel between the city by the Gulf and the state capital, and many flourishing villages and prosperous communities were to be found along the route. After the building of the Mobile and Montgomery railroad it fell into disuse and is now at many points but a trace. This road constitutes the boundary line between Monroe and Conecuh counties and for this reason as well as for the road, if for no other, it should be preserved.

A casual examination of the map is sufficient to convince one that this route is the most direct between the two points, while the general topography of the country through which it passes is such as to render it the practicable of any route heretofore suggested. The road was evidently laid out by a skilled engineer, and was so located as to avoid difficult grades and troublesome streams.

A party of gentlemen from Burnt Corn, including Mr. James K. Kyser, Drs. Hairston and Fountain and Mr. Jacob Lowrey had a conference with State Highway Engineer Kellar and Capt. John Craft, president of the Alabama Good Roads Association and others in Montgomery a few days since and laid before them the advantages of this route. So strongly were they impressed with the representations made that Mr. Kellar designated Wednesday, July 22, for a trip of inspection over the route.

The matter has been taken up the Monroeville Business League and leading citizens at other points in the county and it is probable that several parties in automobiles will join the official Pathfinders at various points along the route. It is urged that as many as can do so manifest their interest by making the trip, in part, at least. The Journal has assurance that the project is heartily endorsed by the Board of County Commissioners and county officials generally, who will cooperate in every way possible to have the suggested route adopted and a trunk highway built.

The benefits to the county from the adoption of this route and the building of the road would be great not only in the enhancement of property values adjacent, but in furnishing a demonstration and inspiring the needed incentive for general road improvement in the county.

Mr. Kellar and party will start from Greenville Wednesday morning, traversing the entire route via Midway, Skinnerton, Pine Orchard, Burnt Corn, Bermuda, Hollinger’s Bridge, Local, Bay Minette,  and on to Daphne.