1917 - Debate Over Springfield Pike Pavement

Trying to determine the best way to pave or configure Springfield Pike is not a new problem (learn more about its history in a previous blog post). While we currently debate the wisdom of putting Springfield Pike on a "road diet" in order to fund its reconstruction and repaving with asphalt, 100 years ago Wyoming residents were weighing the merits of brick vs. wood pavers.

Source: Cincinnati Enquirer January 10, 1917.

Today the idea of wooden roads seems very unusual. However, Springfield Pike was first built by Hamilton County pioneers as a "corduroy road" -- constructed by laying rough-hewn logs perpendicular to the direction of travel, to minimize the muddiness of dirt roads.

Corduroy Road
Source: Wikimedia/U.S. Forest Service

Wood block pavers were used in cities across the U.S. in the mid-nineteenth century. There were a variety of approaches, varying by time and place, to constructing them, using different types of wood, different size blocks, and sometimes coating the blocks with tar or creosote. The grain end of the wood was placed facing up, as it was the best at resisting chipping and wear. Wood blocks were preferred as being quieter than brick or stone for residential neighborhoods.

Here is a link to a really good article about the history of wood pavers and of Hessler Court in Cleveland, near Case-Western Reserve University, which still is paved with wood. And another article about the use of wood pavers in Chicago.

Wood Pavers on South Camac Street, Philadelphia
Source: Wikimedia

There were trade-offs between using wood or stone/brick for paving. Wood was quieter. Stone and brick lasted longer. And there seems to be some debate as to which gave better traction for horses' hooves. Stone and brick started out rough, but wore down to a smooth, slippery surface. Wood had more give, but when it became wet from either rain or animal excrement, it became slippery; wood's ability to absorb liquids also resulted in it holding odors, and distorting its shape.

Relative cost varied depending upon time and place, and in 1917 in Hamilton County, it was wood pavers that were more expensive. Therefore, the county commissioners wanted the village taxpayers to cover the extra cost of using wood, if that is what they wanted the pavement to be on the Pike through Wyoming.

According to Village Council Minutes, on January 29th they were leaning toward using wood pavers for Springfield Pike. However, on February 19th, residents who lived along Springfield Pike came to the council objecting to the use of wood pavers. Ultimately, after discussion by the Village Council, it was decided to not spend the extra money on wood pavers, and just allow the county to pave Springfield Pike with brick through Wyoming.

When I went to the Wyoming Historical Society to consult the Wyoming Village Council Meeting Minute Book for 1917,  to learn what the final decision was on paving materials, I was also shown this stone block, and told that it came out of  Springfield Pike. It is really interesting to hold and touch, as five sides are really rough and the sixth side is worn quite smooth, from years of traffic.

Springfield Pike Paver