Roadside improvement

In recent years, more emphasis has been made on making street and highway corridors more aesthetically pleasing. Two areas which have sometimes proved to be a problem are the boulevard between the curb and sidewalk, and raised medians. Grasses and other natural growths are pleasing to look at, but have not proved to be satisfactory in all cases because of lack of watering and severe exposure to salt and plowed snow. Therefore, durable artificial coating materials were considered to be one solution for these areas. The purpose of this report is to present the results of a literature search and results and comments from discussions with persons knowledgeable of these types of materials. Emphasis was placed on materials or systems which would provide a color contrast from normal asphalt or portland cement concrete pavement color and provide a three-dimensional appearance. The original intent of this report was that it be a state-of-the-art report including a list of products available, along with cost, application procedures and performance characteristics. It did not take long to determine that such a list would be endless. There are so many products on the market that it would be impractical to list them all. Therefore, to avoid any implication of partiality none will be reported, using brand or trade name.

Volume 6 was compiled in circa 1939. Many of the illustrations in the volume are drawings rather than photographs. The volume is organized by topic, but no plate numbers are used. Labeled paper dividers separate the volume into sections, which are generally arranged alphabetically. Nichols hand-lettered an overall index on the first page of the volume, rather than making separate indexes for each section. Volume 6 is divided into the following sections: Concourses, Belt Line Plan, Divided Roadways, Grade Separation, Historic Markers, Intersections, Overheads, Parks, Parking Areas, Right-of-Way, Terracing, Viaducts, and Typical Sections.

Volumes 1 through 5 were originally compiled circa 1937. Photographs were added to the albums in circa 1938 and, again, circa 1941 . The photographs in these five volumes are organized by topic, and the photos are identified by plate numbers. Volume 5 is divided into the following sections: Spring Development, Steps, Tent Sites, Timber Conservation, Wall Details, and Water Supply.

Volume One of the A.R. Nichols albums was complied circa 1937, with additions in 1938 and 1941. The photographs are arranged by topic. Volume one contains the following sections: Approaches, Bridges, Concourses, Council Rings, Culverts, Curbing, Dams, Drainage, Equipment, Erosion, and Erosion Control.

These four albums are the surviving volumes of a seven-volume set complied by Arthur R. Nichols, the Consulting Landscape Architect for the Minnesota Department of Highways from 1932-1940. The four existing Nichols volumes contain about 250 black and white photographs. The photos show roadside development work in at least 130 different locations around the state. It is presumed that Nichols was involved in all of the work depicted. Most of the photographs were taken during the years 1933-1941 . Many were taken immediately after a particular roadside development project was completed, and many show newly-installed plantings. Most of the photos were taken by either Nichols himself, by Roadside Development staff, or by other highway department personnel.

This photograph shows the gravel parking area at Marine on St. Croix Roadside Parking Area.

This photograph shows the bell and the historic marker, surrounded by benches, at Marine on St. Croix Roadside Parking Area.

This photograph shows the stairs at Mantorville Retaining Walls from the side.

This photograph shows one of the sets of stairs and the flag at the Mantorville Retaining Walls.

This photograph shows the Mantorville retaining walls and stairs leading up to the museum