In our century
As cities were developing 100 years ago, road construction and maintenance were among the chief concerns of city planners and elected officials. With the expansion of automobile use, smooth, dustless road surfaces became more important to residents, forcing local officials to determine how to pave, repair and pay for streets. An article on “The Economics of Highway Construction” in the January 1913 American City by Consulting Engineer Clifford Richardson supported the idea that road users pay for construction and maintenance through vehicle and gasoline taxes. Because most road use was for pleasure, according to Richardson, he disagreed with the practice of issuing bonds to pay for road surfaces and their maintenance. “Both the cars and the roads are luxuries, having short lives, and their cost should be provided for during this period and not postponed to some indefinite date,” he wrote.
A short article in the June 1913 issue of The American City elevated the need for smooth roads beyond pleasure cruises, stating that they improved commerce and contributed to stronger communities because residents could move around more freely. Two photos (above) illustrated the article, showing the difference a smooth road surface made in transporting farm goods to market.
As cities experimented with a variety of materials for road surfaces — including macadam, asphalt, concrete and brick — the magazine published regular articles about their experiences. In the pages of the November 1911 issue, an article described some of the lessons learned during the 1910 paving of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, known as “The Brickyard.”
Previous “In our century” Stories
- In our century – September 1909
Limits on outdoor advertising are set through cities’ hard-fought battles over billboard sizes, messages and locations. - In our century – August 1911
Fire departments gain authority, modern equipment to prevent and improve response times to structure fires. - In our century – June 1910
Street lights become symbols of communities’ economic success, and lighting technology efficiency evolves. - In our century – September 1909
With urban growth comes city leaders’ desire to control and direct it for the community’s greatest benefit. - In our century – September 1909
Cities embrace playgrounds as valuable public assets for children’s safety, health and social development. - In our century – September 1909
Women embrace public causes, work to improve their communities and expand their societal roles. - In our century – March 1910
Cities develop methods, mechanisms and regulations for residential solid waste collection and disposal. - In our century – November 1909
Occupancy laws and social workers emerge in the early 1900s to clean up inner-city neighborhoods. - The way we were
Publisher’s son remembers American City & County‘s roots.