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Photographs of Bothell Road Construction, May 1912
Overview of the Collection
- Creator
- University of Washington. Libraries. Special Collections
- Title
- Photographs of Bothell Road Construction
- Dates
- May 1912 (inclusive)19121912
- Quantity
- 14 photographs (1 folder)
- Collection Number
- PH1420
- Summary
- Photographs of construction of the Bothell Road in 1912
- Repository
-
University of Washington Libraries, Special Collections
Special Collections
University of Washington Libraries
Box 352900
Seattle, WA
98195-2900
Telephone: 2065431929
Fax: 2065431931
speccoll@uw.edu - Access Restrictions
Entire collection can be viewed on the Libraries’ Digital Collections website. Permission of Visual Materials Curator required to view originals. Contact Special Collections for more information.
- Languages
- English
Historical BackgroundReturn to Top
In 1900, the automobile became accessible and more affordable to King County residents. Before the time of automobiles, graveled roads were created to allow crossing for wagons and alternative modes of transportation. The roads were made with drainage ditches on both or either sides and required much maintenance to fill in ruts and ensure the roads drained naturally. With automobiles increasing in owners and speed, frequent usage of Bothell Road made it impassible for bicyclists and horse-drawn wagons. Also, rain no loner drained which caused puddles to sit on the surface of the road, causing it to erode. After experimenting with and testing several methods, King County began using Warrenite as the roadway surface because it did not absorb water, making it suitable for wet climates. Warrenite became the preferred roadway surface and by 1912, was installed on four roads in the County, including Bothell Road.
Content DescriptionReturn to Top
Photographs of construction work on the Bothell Highway showing workers digging out the road and laying Warrenite on the roadbed.
Use of the CollectionReturn to Top
Alternative Forms Available
View the digital version of the collection
Restrictions on Use
Status of creator's copyrights is unknown; restrictions may exist on copying, quotation, or publication. Users are responsible for researching copyright status before use. Possibly a government document.
Administrative InformationReturn to Top
Detailed Description of the CollectionReturn to Top
| Container(s) | Description | Dates | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Folder | item | ||
| 1 | 1 |
Warrenite laid on the Bothell road in King County in the
fall of 1911 Webster & Stevens, Seattle, WA (photographer)
From accompanying material: "Modified Bitulithic" or what is
locally known as "Warrenite" laid on the Bothel road in King County in the Fall
of 1911 under the supervision of County Engineer Morrison. Photo taken May 8th,
1912. Shows part of repair plant in operation, and indentation made by wheels
turning the bend in the road. This road cost King County tax payers
approximately $17,000.00 per mile or approximately $1.76 per square yard.
|
May 8, 1912 |
| 1 | 2 |
Warrenite laid on Bothell Road Webster & Stevens, Seattle, WA (photographer)
From accompanying material: "Modified Bitulithic" or what is
locally known as "Warrenite" laid on the Bothel road in King County in the Fall
of 1911 under the supervision of County Engineer Morrison. Photo taken May 8th,
1912, shows distinctly a pile of material to the left, also the "pitch" kettle
in operation, also huge patches extending nearly across the road, that were put
in on the same date, May 8th. This road cost King County tax payers
approximately $17,000.00 per mile or $1.76 per square yard.
|
May 8, 1912 |
| 1 | 3 | Item 3 does not exist | |
| 1 | 4 |
Imprints of the horses' hoofs as they clung to the
pavement in passing over Bothell Road Webster & Stevens, Seattle, WA (photographer)
From accompanying material: "Warrenite" laid on the Bothel Road in
the Fall of 1911 for King County, under the supervision of County Engineer
Morrison. The figures shown in this photograph, which was taken May 8, 1912,
were made in the soft, sticky, mushy surface of the Bothel Road, with a common
stick. Both above and below the figures "1912" can be distinctly seen the
imprints of horses' hoofs as they have clung to the pavement in passing over
it. On the right of the photo will be noticed spongy, sticky, creeping,
"Warrenite" on it's way to the edge of the road, leaving the center of the road
nothing but bare stone, which does not make a good wearing surface. This road
cost King County tax payers $17,000.00 per mile.
|
May 8, 1912 |
| 1 | 5 |
Surface of Bothell road taken up and shoveled over to one
side to make way for new pavement Webster & Stevens, Seattle, WA (photographer)
From accompanying material: "Modified Bitulithic" or what is
locally known as "Warrenite" laid on the Bothel road in King County in the Fall
of 1911 under the supervision of County Engineer Morrison. This photo shows the
entire surface of the road taken up and shoveled over to one side to make way
for new pavement. The pile of "Warrenite" as shown along the road, has stood
but four or five months of traffic on a country road. The smooth surface on the
left half of the picture, shows the new roadway. Photo taken May 8th, 1912.
This road cost the taxpayers of King County $17,000.00 per mile.
|
May 8, 1912 |
| 1 | 6 |
Plant and gang of men replacing worn out roadway with more
Warrenite Webster & Stevens, Seattle, WA (photographer)
From accompanying material: "Warrenite" laid on the Bothel road in
the fall of 1911, under the supervision of the County Engineer Morrison.
Showing plant and gang of men replacing worn out roadway with more "Warrenite"
on May 8th, 1912. This road cost $17,000.00 per mile.
|
May 8, 1912 |
| 1 | 7 |
Construction work on Bothell Road showing Warrenite
portable plant in operation Webster & Stevens, Seattle, WA (photographer)
From accompanying material: Bothel Road, King County. Photo taken
May 8th, 1912. Showing "Warrenite" laid in the fall of 1911 under the
supervision of the County Engineer Morrison. Showing Warrenite portable plant
in operation on May 8th, 1912, furnishing "Warrenite" to replace the worn out
roadway laid four or five months before. Road cost $17,000.00.
|
May 8, 1912 |
| 1 | 8 |
Bothell Road showing entire width of road destroyed during
construction in order to receive another coat of Warrenite Webster & Stevens, Seattle, WA (photographer)
From accompanying material: Warrenite laid in the fall of 1911 on
the Bothel road in King County under the supervision of County Engineer
Morrison. This photo shows entire width of road completely destroyed. Workmen
are preparing foundation to receive another coat of "Warrenite". Had a concrete
base been used, this condition would have been impossible. The surface could
have been worthless material, but he foundation would have endured. Photo taken
May 8th, 1912. This road cost King County taxpayers approximately $17,000.00
per mile.
|
May, 8, 1912 |
| 1 | 9 |
The soft and sticky condition of Bothell road From accompanying material: Modified Bitulithic or what is locally
known as"Warrenite", laid on the Bothel road in King County in the fall of
1911, under the supervision of County Engineer James R. Morrison. This photo
shows the extremely soft and sticky condition of the Bothel road. On the right
can be noticed a stick standing upright in the surface, and on the left, a ball
of "Warrenite" as it clung to the end of the stick after it had been stuck into
the surface of the road. Photo taken May 8th, 1912. This road cost
approximately $1.76 per square yard.
|
May 8, 1912 |
| 1 | 10 |
Pedestrian along the Bothell road, crossing the roadway
during the heat of the day with the Warrenite sticking to his feet Webster & Stevens, Seattle, WA (photographer)
From accompanying material: "Warrenite" laid on the Bothel road in
the fall of 1911 for the King County Commissioners, under the supervision of
County Engineer James R. Morrison. This photo shows the predicament of a
pedestrian along the Bothell road, in his efforts to cross the roadway during
the heat of the day, practically the entire "Warrenite" composition surface
clinging to the bottom of his feet. This photograph taken May 8th, 1912.
|
May 8, 1912 |
| 1 | 11 |
Pedestrian sitting on a log, trying to separate himself
from the Warrenite. Webster & Stevens, Seattle, WA (photographer)
From accompanying material: "Warrenite" laid on the Bothel road in
the fall of 1911, under the supervision of County Engineer Morrison. Photo
shows a pedestrian after having succeeded in getting across the road as he sits
on a log trying to separate himself from the "Warrenite". Photo taken May 8th,
1912.
|
May 8, 1912 |
| 1 | 12 |
Warrenite sign placed on a bend on the Bothell road near
Lake Forest Park Webster & Stevens, Seattle, WA (photographer)
From accompanying material: This huge sign is placed on a bend on
the Bothel road near Lake Forest Park in King County, calling attention of all
passers-by to the merits of the "Warrenite" roadway. This sign was very much in
evidence during the repairing of the road on May 8th, 1912.
|
May 8, 1912 |
| 1 | 13 |
Bothell road construction, May 14, 1912 Webster & Stevens, Seattle, WA (photographer)
From accompanying material: "Modified Bitulithic" or what is
generally known as "Warrenite", laid for King County Commissioners under the
supervision of County Engineer Morrison. Photo shows plainly where practically
entire wearing surface has clung to the passing Auto tires and wagon wheels,
leaving a loose, disintegrated mass of stone and "Warrenite Composition". The
piles of sand shown in photo have been placed ready to be spread over the
surface of road in an effort to make it passable, and also to have it last a
few more months. This photo taken May 14th, 1912.
|
May 14, 1912 |
| 1 | 14 |
Workmen loading sand at a bend in the road, May 14,
1912 Webster & Stevens, Seattle, WA (photographer)
From accompanying material: "Modified Bitulithic" or what is
generally known as 'Warrenite" laid for King County Commissioners, under the
supervision of County Engineer Morrison. This photo shows team and workmen
loading sand at a bend in the road, to be used in spreading over the
"Warrenite" surface in an effort to save the road from complete destruction.
This sand is very fine and contains a large proportion of dirt and loam, yet it
is being used to "repair" "Warrenite". Photo taken May 14th, 1912.
|
May 14, 1912 |
| 1 | 15 |
A pile of discarded Warrenite composition material near a
Warrenite sign, May 14, 1912 Webster & Stevens, Seattle, WA (photographer)
From accompanying material: "Modified Bitulithic" or what is
generally known as "Warrenite" laid for King County Commissioners, under the
supervision of County Engineer Morrison. Photo shows a pile of discarded
"Warrenite Composition" on each side of the road, and directly in front of the
sign which reads: "The Highest Type of Permanent Highway Construction". This
road was laid in the Fall of 1911 and was rebuilt in the Spring of 1912. Photo
taken May 14th, 1912.
|
May 14, 1912 |
Names and SubjectsReturn to Top
Subject Terms
- Visual Materials Collections (University of Washington)
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