7. PCSR 03-11-2009 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

MNDOT HISTORIC ROADSIDE DEVELOPMENT STRUCTURES INVENTORY SH-ERC-028 CS 7101 Babcock Memorial Park Larsen, Arthur J. The Deve/opment of the Minnesota Road System. St. Paul: Minnesota Historical Society, 1966. ^ ADDITIONAL BACKGROUND INFORMATION AND TEXT OF MISSING GEOLOGICAL MARKER Charles M. Babcock Charles M. Babcock (1871-1936) served as Minnesota's Highway Commissioner from 1917 to 1933. Born and raised in Elk River, Babcock attended the University of Minnesota in 1892 where he studied engineering. His education was cut short by the financial panic of 1893 and he returned to Elk River to work at the family's general store. Babcock organized a group of farmers and businessmen to improve the roads in Elk River and, as a result, he was elected as a county commissioner. Babcock's success in developing the county's road program led to his appointment in 1910 to the newly-formed state highway commission that was composed of three members. In 1917, the highway commission was abolished and its duties assumed by the office of the State Highway Commissioner. "It was a foregone conclusion that the new office would be offered to Charles M. Babcock. He had been active in good roads work for so many. years, and had acquitted himself so well in his nonsalaried position, that most people seem to have felt that he deserved the place" (Larsen 1966:440). Soon after Babcock was appointed as Minnesota's first highway commissioner in 1917, he developed a plan to improve the state's road system. The local newspaper wrote in 1931: The study of road conditions in Minnesota convinced Mr. Babcock that it was necessary to find a new source of highway revenue. Therefore .Mr. Babcock proposed that part of the cost of maintaining the roads and providing for improvements be borne by those who traveled them. His plan for a state system of trunk highways to be improved and maintained with motor vehicle tax revenue and federal highway aid, is outstanding in the substantial success into which it culminated (Sherburne County Star News, July 23, 1931). The Babcock Plan became an amendment to the state constitution in 1919 and was approved by the voters in 1920. This highway development plan called for improvement to 7,000 miles of roads and the creation of a state trunk highway system of 70 major highways. Additions to the plan in later years included a bond issue that raised additional revenue for highway development, increased car license fees, and instituted a gasoline tax. By 1930, toward the end of Babcock's tenure as commissioner, approximately "1,400 miles of road had been paved, and nearly as many had been given bituminous treatment. These developments were supported by a succession of governors" (Blegen 1975:484). Elk River The Elk River was named for the herds of elk that populated the area. Zebulon Pike christened the river with this name during his journey up the Mississippi in 1805. Two towns developed on the northern and southern banks of the Elk River, Orono on the north, which became known as 'lower town', and Elk River on the southern side. The village of Elk River was platted in 1865, and in 1880 Orono merged with Elk River (the new town was incorporated in 1881). The county seat was moved to Elk River in 1867. 7