Oregon's Old McKenzie Highway Makes NRHP

From the March 7th Washington Examiner.

Oregon's Old McKenzie Highway, also called Highway 242, is now on the National Register of Historic Places, joining 2000 other sites in the state on that prestigious list. The 34-mile-long road links Deschutes County with Lane County, crossing the Cascades in the process.

The road is narrow and made for smaller cars. Ian Johnson, historian for the Oregon State Historic Preservation Office says, "It's very evocative of what driving was like in the 1920s."

It began in 1862 as a wagon route following old Indian trails through the mountain range to link Willamette Valley to the Bend area. The highway was built in 1924 and even though renovated many times, it still retains the 20s-style geometry and alignment.

Many of the original features including narrow and windy (not sure what this means) sections without shoulders. Its construction was to promote tourism and recreation in Oregon with seeping vistas of mountains, forests and lava beds. According to Johnson, "It was aligned to make an impression on tourists."

One big feature along the road is the Dee Wright Observatory, built in 1935 by the CCC, which offers some fantastic panoramic views.

I've looked at photos taken along this road. Wow!!

So, Another Place to Check Out If I Can Ever Again Afford the Gas to Drive Out There. --RoadDog