So what the heck are charcoal roads?
Basically asphalt made with coal tar, a cancer-causing by-product of coal processing. It is still widely used in India. Besides killing people, It cracks a lot.
This is the Cliffs Notes on Mississippi roads:
Road Tax
The same year Mississippi became a state (1817, if you care), a tax based on 5 percent of public land sales was created to build roads and canals.
Cotton Roads
The rise of cotton as a money crop, around 1850, accelerated road construction. Panola County in the Delta, built a charcoal road. It was a bit of a disaster. However, it is very cool to see how one was uncovered inadvertently in 1936. If you have 24 minutes, watch this. Watch it anyhow, as it has so many great pictures.
Plank Road
So, the charcoal road was replaced by a plank road, used for nearly 50 years! If you have been to California, there is a teeny tiny piece of plank road that is a Historic Place.
Rules of the Road
In 1856, carraiges had to drive on the right and at a speed no more than a fast walk on bridges. That pretty much continued, as cars had not landed in Mississippi or almost anywhere else. Land tax was levied at 1 cent to 5 cents an acre for more roads and bridges.
That Pesky Civil War
No more railroads. Road-roads damaged by heavy traffic.
20 Autos
In 1900, the entire state of Mississippi had 20 automobiles, but the amount grew crazy fast. Yuk, dirt and gravel.
Good Roads Movement
In 1913, roads were so bad, that a movement calling for better roads was created. Think about what this means for our Ghosts.
Mississippi Hot Shots
The first paved road in the south was built in northeastern Mississippi after checking them out in Michigan. Show offs. In 1914, a contract for 49 miles of “good roads” was let, and one concrete road was constructed for $8,100 per mile.
Gas Tax
Imposed by the feds. One cent per gallon. Budgeted $200 per mile of road, a bit ambitious, don’t ya think? 100 road machines were purchased.
Depression
No money for roads.
Now you know.