DID YOU KNOW……..
A look back at early area history as found in the archives of the Enderlin Historical
Society and Museum ……… by Susan Schlecht
This week’s article was found in the September 12, 1929 issue of The Enderlin
Independent.
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ENGINEERS FAVOR NEW BRIDGE TO CROSS MAPLE
-------------------Underpass Also Favored on Highway No. 46
----------------A.D. McKinnon, state project engineer, and federal engineer Taylor were in this county
last week looking over federal highway No. 46. In looking over the second bridge across the
Maple River three miles east of here, both engineers were in favor of a new bridge at this point,
and, according to county commissioner Peder Hill, it is expected that plans for the bridge will be
completed so the work can be done early next spring.
The engineers also looked over the three and a half miles of road west of Enderlin which
was not included in the contract this year. Mr. Hill reported also that a request for this piece of
road would be made by the commissioners and there is a good possibility of this contract being
let next year. In speaking of the Soo Line crossing here, the federal engineer announced that an
underpass would be built which would eliminate a hazard.
A request will also be made for gravel on the 17 mile stretch east of here by the
commissioners and there is a possibility that gravel may be put on next year.
The engineers also checked highway No. 27 east of Lisbon to the sand hills and their
approval was given to 8 miles in Ransom County and 7 miles in Richland County to connect with
No. 18, a north and south road. This road will be surveyed this fall and construction started as
soon as federal and state aid is available.
Mr. Hill also reported that the commissioners had requested gravel for the Fort Ransom
road.
-----------------------Sue’s Comments: According to this article, Highway 46 was considered a federal highway in
1929. This was at a time when even the main roads were dirt roads as is evidenced by this article
where they are requesting gravel for Highway 46 east of Enderlin and construction of the road
west of Enderlin. While we call the Soo Line crossing of Highway 46 an “overpass” this article
called it an “underpass”. I guess it depends on whose perspective the writer is considering – the
railroad’s or the highway’s! Highway 27 east of Lisbon evidently was not even constructed yet
in 1929.