Map of Babcock Plan or a Trunk Highway System in Minnesota

A call to vote for improving the road network across Minnesota.

This impressive broadsheet shows a proposed system of trunk highways spread across the entire state of Minnesota. Though only embryonic in form, the plan represents over a decade of work by Charles Babcock, originally as a county commissioner but eventually as the first Minnesota State Highway Commissioner (1917). Babcock’s primary achievement in that role was encouraging the adoption of state constitutional Amendment No. 1, which would set the legislative mechanisms for construction, maintenance, and taxation of the trunk highway system.

The map was issued in 1920, the same year the measure was on the ballot for public consideration, and includes bold claims in addition to the convincing map. “Remember that this magnificent road system is to be constructed without increasing the taxation burden in Minnesota a single penny. THERE WILL BE NO INCREASE IN GENERAL TAXES. The motor vehicle owners, who pay increased license fees, will have their money returned to them threefold through decreased cost of operation.”

Accompanying the map is a two-page pamphlet with further details about Amendment Number 1. The measure passed with a huge majority, with 75% of voters in favor. Considering the number of registered vehicles across the state had grown from 920 in 1903 to nearly 325,000 in 1920, it’s no surprise the public was keen to adopt a unified system of roads.

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