7.1. SR 07-29-2002 - Laserfiche WebLink

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design of state-funded projects, including adoption of standards for highway and bridge design. The state leader in highway reform was Charles M. Babcock (1871-1936) of Elk River. Trained as a civil engineer, he had a career as a banker and merchant in Elk River, where his family operated the Babcock Store. In 1917, Babcock became the first commissioner of the Minnesota Department of Highways. He served in this position until 1933, and authored the "Babcock Plan" for the state trunk highway system. Babcock Memorial Park (1938-1939) commemorates his tenure. It was built by the National Youth Administration (NYA) and the Minnesota Department of Highwaysfi° The Jefferson Highway Elk River's connection to the Jefferson Highway, a federally- funded national route completed in the early 1920s, was apparently ensured by Babcock. Among promoters of the concrete-paved road were automobile associations, who had a growing interest in automobile touring? Numbered as Trunk Highway 3, the portion through Elk River used Depot, Main and Fourth streets. The generally followed the territorial route and carried much of the county's west-bound traffic, and also the north-bound traffic on Highway 169, which branched at Elk River. The concrete Elk River Bridge was part of this improvement, replacing the 1884 metal truss bridge. By 1928, a variety of implement dealers, elevators and feed mills, potato and produce warehouses, the Houlton lumberyard, and gasoline filling stations lined the highway. While Sherburne County's road planners were organizing for better roads, some promoters seemed to be waiting for a different transportation shoe to drop. In an article promoting the county's agricultural opportunities, J.A. Monger complained that the county's potential was untapped, noting that this section was overlooked, TIw Jefferson Highzoay on the eve of construction of Highway 10, 1941. Photo: MHS. Elk River Historic Contexts and Phase II Downtown Commercial Area Study 20