California's Imperial Sand Dunes today

Imperial Sand Dunes:  The Plank RoadImperial Sand Dunes

This color photo is what California's Imperial Sand Dunes look like today from my vantage point just south of Interstate 8. 

The dunes themselves haven't changed since time immemorial.  What's changed in the last century is the road.  I-10 allows cars and trucks to traverse the dunes at 70 miles per hour in just a few minutes. It wasn't always the cae.

Between 1909 and 1927, Henry Ford built more than 15,000,000 Model T cars and trucks.  The Ford Motor Company transformed the way people in the United States moved around. 

Arizona became the 48th state of the Union in 1912.  People were moving west!  An Arizona business person wanting to travel between southern Arizona and California had to traverse seven miles of sand dunes, and those little skinny tires on the Model T didn't get it!

The original Plank Road

The solution was to create a modular, tongue and groove road in 8' x 12' sections.  Seven miles of plank road!  When the sand dunes would shift, covering the plank road, teams of horses were used to reposition the sections.

Double wide sections at intervals allowed vehicles to pass one another without getting stuck in the sand.

It was the only means motorists had of traversing the Imperial Sand Dunes.  Today, only a few sections of the original plank road remain, and you can see them if you pull off of Interstate 8 at the Imperial Sand Dunes Recreation Area.

Imperial Sand Dunes: The Plank Road

Photos by Mike in Tucson are not copyrighted.  (Model T truck is not my photo.)

Right click, copy, and enjoy!

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27 Comments on Traveling Rainer: California's Imperial Sand Dunes and the Plank Road

20 Most Recent Comments Displayed Show All

JUL
13
2010
187,296 Points 5 Featured Posts

Not to brag, but my grandpa Henry was such a smart entrepreneur!

11:45am • #8
187,296 Points 5 Featured Posts

Well, of course. Are you questioning my lineage? Kate

5:36pm • #10
1,653,518 Points 134 Featured Posts Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Mike,

What an interesting post.  I have never heard of plank roads and I used to live in Arizona.. missed it.  Thank you for posting.

8:31pm • #11
JUL
14
2010
211,114 Points 1 Featured Post

Wow!  I had not heard of these either.  That is so cool that you found it.  Thanks for learning us something new!  

2:56am • #13
JUL
20
2010
211,114 Points 1 Featured Post

What is the water?  I just now noticed it.  Is it a canal or part of a river?

1:00am • #14
214,957 Points 2 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Called Shot Master

What an interesting post, if there was a will there was was a way.  I have never seen a plank road.

7:39am • #15
712,458 Points 118 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog Called Shot Master

Diane,

Neither had I until I stopped to see this.  Thanks for commenting.

Doreen,

It's a canal, I think.  I'd have to google it.

Jennifer,

Thanks for stopping by to comment.

Judi,

Maybe I knew that, but I'd forgotten that you used to live in AZ.

Kate,

Very interesting!

Mike in Tucson

8:54am • #16
AUG
13
2010
565,371 Points 17 Featured Posts Called Shot Master

Very cool and interesting - thanks for sharing.

7:35am • #17
AUG
20
2010
157,350 Points 2 Featured Posts

Hello Mike - Thanks for the great post.  As they say...."where there's a will, there's a way!"

9:09am • #18
DEC
28
2010
250,417 Points

Wow Mike...the dunes in July?  It's rather hot out there. :)  Michael and I love the dunes, of course in the  cool fall.  :)  Thanks for sharing the history!

Cheron

4:49pm • #19
712,458 Points 118 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog Called Shot Master

Cheron,

We were on our way to the oceanfront for our anniversary.

Andy,

Thanks for stopping by to comment!

Carol,

You're welcome!

Mike in Tucson

7:13pm • #20
JAN
25
2011
478,958 Points 15 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Can you imagine a Model T traversing over seven miles of sand dunes?  How long did that take?  Now it just takes a few minutes.  Wow, those sand dunes are awesome.  I've never been to AZ, but would love to visit someday.

9:58am • #21
712,458 Points 118 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog Called Shot Master

Barbara,

I'll bet you would like Arizona!

Mike in Tucson

4:14pm • #22
FEB
02
2011
224,537 Points 4 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog

Mike:  Great bit of info.  Thanks for taking the time to write such an informative post.

1:52am • #23
FEB
14
2011
712,458 Points 118 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog Called Shot Master

Kirsten,

You're welcome!  Blogging in the Rain builds business.

Mike in Tucson

12:16pm • #24
JUN
20
2011
Localism Sponsor

Hi Mike

Thank you for the interesting post.  I love reading about other parts of the country and history.

2:51pm • #25
NOV
15
2011
1 Featured Post

I love th epost and it was very interesting. This gives me another great reason why I should visit California in the near future. 

8:00am • #26
NOV
15
809,276 Points 7 Featured Posts Outside Blog Called Shot Master

That's something i never heard of either!  Thanks for showlng some great pictures of the old plank road and the dunes.

11:46am • #27

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Mike Jones

Mike Jones NMLS 223495

Tucson, AZ

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