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The Klickitat County Agriculturist, Goldendale, WA., April 27, 1912, page 7

THE CEDAR VALLEY HIGHWAY DOWN THE BIG KLICKITAT

A Cedar Valley correspondent states that the government's share in the road now being built in that section has been completed, according to the Indian agent, S.A.U. Young.
Mr. Young has advised Jake Prahl that the road is now open from White Swan to the Big Klickitat river, striking the latter stream at a point near the mouth of the Surveyor's creek. Some work remains to be done across the flat to reach the river bank but this, the department will complete at once. The completion of the government work opens an excellent highway leading direct from Toppenish to the Klickitat. On the other side of the Big Klickitat, is a strip about ten miles in length which remains to be graded to finish a highway to the Columbia river at Lyle in Klickitat county. This strip extends from the Big Klickitat to Cougar creek, and in addition to the grading work, the construction of a bridge across the Big Klickitat is necessary before the benefits of the road will be realized.
It is estimated that the expense of the remaining work will run in the neighborhood of $5,000.00 and an effort will shortly be made to raise this amount by subscription, among prospective users of the road, including cattle men, property owners and others.
Mr. Prahl has discussed the question with some of the big cattle men of Portland and they have expressed a willingness to help. Contributions will also be given by the citizens of Lyle, White Salmon and the dairy men who live along the road. Some assistance will also be sought locally.
Many important advantages will accrue from the opening of this highway. Chief among these is the encouragement that will be given to the cattle and sheep industries. From Lyle, a point of shipment on the Columbia River, the charge is $30.00 a car for livestock. With the proposed road opened to travel, the sheep men can drive their stock to Lyle, feeding along the route and save 50 percent of the transportation charge. The same advantage would also accrue to the cattle feeders.
The new road will also have a value in attracting tourists to the Cedar Valley country and beyond. It passes through a country of unsurpassed scenic beauty and offers every advantage for summer campers, in a locality where the best of fishing and other sports are available.
The road from Lyle to Cougar creek is a favorite run for Portland automobilists. The cost of finishing the work is relatively small, compared to what already has been done. The bridge which is the chief item of expense would be located entirely in Yakima county, but the Commissioners have not been able to lend any financial aid toward its construction. It will be necessary, therefore to depend upon private contributions for the required funds.