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PLANK ROAD IN 1915
This prototype proved that the dangerous Imperial Sand Dunes could be bridged by a plank road. This road lasted less than a year before it was replaced. |
PLANKS, MULES and MODEL T'S
Photo #1 - A plank road fabrication plany was built at Ogilby Station. Here the 8 by 12 foot sections for the road were assembled. Photo #2 - The original 1915 Plank Road, built by individuals from Imperial and San Diego Counties, consisted of two paralled tracks. Photo #3 - Final placement of the segments required specialized equipmeny. Mules played an important role during installation and maintenance of the Plank Road. Photo #4 - Travel on the PLANK Road was an adventure from 1916 to 1926. California highway engineers were finally able to solve the problem of drifting sands when they built the forerunner to Interstste 8 across the dunes. Photo #5 - Gray's Well, at the west end of the Plank Road near here, was the site of a water well drilled to aid construction. Travelers obtained supplies and refreshments for the diffcult crossing. |
PLANK ROAD IN 1916
This shows how the Plank Road looked when it was first laid in the desert sands over seventy years ago. Individual segments were pre-assembled and designed to fit together in a toungue and groove fashion. |
