The road to [Washington] is paved with good intentions...

You have probably driven on Washington state's oldest paved road and didn't even know it. The road loops, dips, and steeps down with curves, all surrounded by amazing Washington state scenic beauty. Beauty that is, if you consider barren hills and windmills scenic. (I do.) Tucked away in Goldendale, Wash., is the oldest paved road in the state. Do you know it's (not so) hidden history?

If you have never heard the story about Washington's oldest paved road, take a trip down the road (or online) to the Maryhill Museum of Art in Goldendale. Don't confuse the phrase, "What in the Sam Hill are you doing?" as being related to the same guy who paved Washington's oldest road. Our Sam Hill is the man responsible for smoothing out Maryhill Loops Road, not the guy who cussed so much they made a whole saying out of him. 😂

The Oldest Paved Road in WA: Goldendale
Google Maps
loading...

The legend goes that Sam Hill brought in some government peeps from Oregon to see how great of a job he did getting the roads paved. He paved ten miles worth of roads using a blend of techniques not used before in the region.

Today we drive on the Maryhill Loops Rd as a backroads way to the Maryhill Winery or towards Bend and the border between Oregon and Washington. You might even be headed to visit the Stonehenge Memorial that honors World War II veterans or Sam Hill's crypt. That landmark is solemn, indeed.

Sign for Stonehenge in Goldendale WA
Google Maps
loading...
94.5 KATS logo
Get our free mobile app
Lewis and Clark Hwy on the way to Stonehenge Memorial in Goldendale
Google Maps
loading...

The next time you are traveling through Goldendale, make sure to take some time to sightsee. There is a viewpoint exit at US 97 near the state park.

Heritage Site for Maryhill Loops Rd in Goldendale
Google Maps
loading...

 

 

Report a typo or correction

Got a news tip? Email us here.

 

MOST POPULAR STORIES:

 

 

LOOK: Here is the richest town in each state

Just saying the names of these towns immediately conjures up images of grand mansions, luxury cars, and ritzy restaurants. Read on to see which town in your home state took the title of the richest location and which place had the highest median income in the country. Who knows—your hometown might even be on this list.

 

LOOK: The 25 least expensive states to live in

Here are the top 25 states with the lowest cost of living in 2022, using data Stacker culled from the Council for Community and Economic Research.

More From 94.5 KATS