Plank Road
California State Historic Landmark 845
05/21/98
#845 Plank Road
1914 to 1927
This unique plank road seven miles long was the only means early motorists had for crossing the treacherous Imperial Sand Dunes. The eight by twelve foot sections were moved with a team of horses whenever the shifting sands covered portions of the road. Double sections were placed at intervals to permit vehicles to pass.
05/21/98
#845 Plank Road Replica
1916-1926
This shows how the Plank Road looked when it was first laid in the desert sands over seventy years ago. Individual segments were pre-assembled and designed to fit together in a tongue and groove fashion.
05/21/98
#845 Plank Road Replica
1915
This prototype proved that the dangerous Imperial Sand Dunes could be bridged by a plank road. This road lasted less than a year before it was replaced.
Algodones Sand Dunes; S side of Gray's Well Rd, 3.3 mi W of intersection with I-8, 18 mi W of Winterhaven.
Return to other landmarks in Imperial county.
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Donald Laird
