Biennial Report of the Department of Highways (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1896 edition. Excerpt: ...road districts, and when the funds are apportioned there is not enough in any one road district to do anything but patch-work. Along the coasi are many miles of sand roads, and near to all of these sandy stretches are unlimited supplies of excellent cement, gravel, and shale, which, if utilized, would convert these roads into splendid highways. The average rainfall is 33 inches at Ukiah; but the northwestern portion of the county lies within the 50-inch belt. MERCED COUNTY. Organized: 1855. Area: 1,750 square miles. Visited: August 30, 1895, by Commissioners Manson and Irvine; July 1, 1896, by Commissioner Manson. Mileage: 400. Improved: No miles macadamized; 60 miles graveled; no miles sprinkled; 110 miles graded. Title and Records: Titles are in good condition, owing to the system of surveying and recording plats. The methods prescribed in the Code for opening, closing, and altering roads are closely followed, and are supplemented by forms issued by the Clerk and Surveyor. The road records of the county are in excellent condition, although the system adopted has not been kept up of recent years. The forms gotten up will be useful in p'reparing general forms for the other counties. Manner of Construction and Maintenance: Construction, grading, and graveling done by contract, with good results; repairs and maintenance by day's labor. Accounts: Are in good condition. Claims are presented by the party doing work, approved by Road Commissioner, and audited by the Board, but do not definitely show exact location and extent of work done. Raising Money: By property tax. No poll tax collected since 1887. Of the total amount shown for ten years, $600 was subscribed. Merced County extends eastwardly from the crest of the Coast Range across the...