This is the history of the pioneer trails of the Pacific Northwest and the later freeway systems that were built in Washington State. The Oregon Trail was the main overland migration route pioneers used to travel across America to the West Coast. The main departure was from Independence, MO and the final destination of the Trail was Oregon City, OR. The Mullan Military Road, constructed between 1858 and 1862, was the first wagon road to cross the Rockies to the Inland Northwest. It ran 624 miles from Fort Walla Walla, WA to Fort Benton, MT. Rather than being a means for travel across the country, the road was used more for access to the interior of Idaho from Fort Benton in the East and Fort Walla Walla in the West. The Bozeman Trail was an overland route connecting the Oregon Trail to the gold rush territory of Montana. The original north-south and east-west routes that were used by the early pioneers were the basic routes that were used for the interstate freeway systems that were built during the 1960's. The roads were built under the direction of William A. Bugge, Washington State Highway Director from 1949 until 1963, when he resigned. After his resignation, he was the Project Director in charge of design and construction of the Bay Area Rapid Transit project in San Francisco, CA. When he retired, he moved back to Washington State.
From the description of George and Annie Drew's collection of papers about the history of Pacific Northwest roads and pioneer trails, 1962-1973, 1967. (Washington State Library, Office of Secretary of State). WorldCat record id: 229893721
