The Bankhead Highway

 107 years ago, this week…The proposed route for The Bankhead Highway was on most people’s minds. The Bankhead Highway Association had formed in 1916 with many proposed routes. Today, we know that the fixed route between Washington, D.C. and San Diego, California did come through Georgia and most importantly Douglas County providing one of the best roads in the area as well as revenue for the many businesses that sprang up to accommodate the hundreds of travelers each day that would make their way through the county, but in 1917 it was still uncertain if the route would go through Douglas County.

In the issue for January 12, 1917, the Douglas County Sentinel provided some updated details for the highway and stated, “…This is a Big thing and Douglas County can’t afford to sleep over her privileges. It’s not a dream, but a reality and it’s coming here if we want it and take proper steps to get it, but unless we do, it will go where there is sufficient interest and appreciation to conform to the requirements of the U.S. government…”