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29FordGuy · 07-31-2012, 02:42 PM

I am sure that in 1903 an "improved" road referred to a macadam road or similar. A macadam at that time consisted of graded, broken rock placed in layers to properly drain moisture and distribute the load from the carriage wheels (horseless or otherwise). The surface was typically compacted and smoothed with a roller or by just traffice in some cases. These rock surfaces were very durable with the slow moving vehicles of that time and were a far cry better than the often muddy roads. There were several macadam roads in the late 1800s like the Cumberland Road. Tar or asphalt was not generally used as a binder until the 1920s. As vehicles drove faster they would kick up a lot of dust from the macadam roads and create pot holes so the tar and asphalt binder allowed for faster moving traffic without destroying the road surface. Hope this helps. I think it is interesting to see what our grandparents etc. drove on. Mine drove their Model T touring from Iowa to California in the early 1920s probably on a lot of mud and dirt roads, but some macadam roads or other improved roads.

07-31-2012, 02:42 PM	#5
29FordGuy Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Brookings, OR Posts: 62	Re: What was an "improved road" I am sure that in 1903 an "improved" road referred to a macadam road or similar. A macadam at that time consisted of graded, broken rock placed in layers to properly drain moisture and distribute the load from the carriage wheels (horseless or otherwise). The surface was typically compacted and smoothed with a roller or by just traffice in some cases. These rock surfaces were very durable with the slow moving vehicles of that time and were a far cry better than the often muddy roads. There were several macadam roads in the late 1800s like the Cumberland Road. Tar or asphalt was not generally used as a binder until the 1920s. As vehicles drove faster they would kick up a lot of dust from the macadam roads and create pot holes so the tar and asphalt binder allowed for faster moving traffic without destroying the road surface. Hope this helps. I think it is interesting to see what our grandparents etc. drove on. Mine drove their Model T touring from Iowa to California in the early 1920s probably on a lot of mud and dirt roads, but some macadam roads or other improved roads.