The Weekly Star, Friday, July 17, 1914
Engineer L. T. Merry, who was detailed by the Alaska Road Commission to survey the proposed government wagon road from Skagway to the summit of the White Pass, has just returned to Juneau after completing the work and is now preparing the maps and data which are to be submitted to the board. The road is designed to connect at the international boundary line at the summit with the Canadian system of wagon roads reaching to the Atlin section and to Yukon Territory as far north as Dawson.
The new road will have a grade from Skagway to the summit averaging less than five per cent and at no point in the entire distance will it exceed eight per cent. An effort was made in making the present survey to keep outside the right of way of the White Pass & Yukon railroad as much as possible, therefore there are but three crossings
made on the entire route, one at the present public crossing at Clark's homestead, another near mile No. 4, and the final crossing near the summit.
The new route as located makes State street the point of departure from
Skagway going northward, and at its terminus on the banks of the Skagway river, the latter will be crossed by a standard pile bridge, the west end abutting on the H. D. Clark homestead, now known as Sunnyside farm.
The road according to the new survey will from this point follow the old
'97 trail for a considerable distance, but deflects at the point where the old trail led toward Black lake, but keeps on the west side of Skagway river, however, to Rocky Point, thus avoiding the long and torturous hill to Black lake and what is worse the abominable slide country through which the old Brackett road was built in '98, and also the climb over Porcupine hill.
Following the old line of the '97 trail, the road wlll pass through the site of historic Liarsville, which is now a pleasant meadow, and then approach a sheer wall of granite which will entail in road construction, either trestle work or extensive cribbing for a distance. Clinging to its granite cliffs the road continues on its way to spot just a little north of Rocky Point when it crosses to the east side of the river and holds to that bank nearly to the summit, and then it again crosses to the west side.
At mile post No. 7 of the White Pass & Yukon railroad, the real scenic value of the roadway becomes apparent and continues to grow more impressive in its beautiful confusion as the road winds its way through the rock-ribbed canyon of the Skagway to old White Pass City, once a wild rollicking hamlet living off the travelling public, but now reduced to a huddle of deserted and decaying cabins. The aspect continues to grow in interest until the very summit is reached. It is certain when completed to grow into great favor and become in time a great thoroughfare for summer tourists in their automobiles.
The old Brackett road, which was the cause of many serious mishaps to both man and beast in the early days following its construction, followed the east side of the Skagway river from its town starting point to the East fork of Skagway river and then swung across to Porcupine hill on a high bridge. After passing over the hill it again
swung back to the east side at Rocky Point on another high bridge. Much of the first part of the road traversed a section that was abominable for slides, for the most part, however, it clung to the walls of the river canyon and was built largely of corduroy in lieu of grading and ditching. Much of the timber on the old road is still sound after fifteen years of idleness and disuse.
While making the present survey Mr. Merry and his assistants Ed Acchison
and Herman Olson of Skagway, pitched their camp on the site of the ancient town of Liarsville. They had delightful weather conditions for doing the work which required about six weeks. - Juneau Daily Empire.
