Near Maryhill in Klickitat County, Washington — The American West (Northwest)
Loops Road
The first Asphalt-paved Road in the State of Washington
Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, June 12, 2026
1. Loops Road Marker
The Oregonian, December 19, 1996
The historic Loops Road, located on Maryhill's ranch lands, was completed by Maryhill Museum founder Sam Hill in 1913. Today the remaining 3.6 mile curved road winds through the steep banks of the Columbia Hills two miles east of the Museum. Access to the road is available to pedestrians and bicyclists from WA14 near mile post 103. A Loops Road overlook is located on U.S. 97 at mile post 4.7. A fervent advocate of good road systems, Hill founded the Washington Good Roads and Transportation Association in 1899, served as catalyst for the historic Columbia River Highway and pushed for the creation of a highway linking Canada and Mexico.
Erected by Maryhill Museum of Art.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Roads & Vehicles.
Location. 45° 40.714′ N, 120° 51.72′ W. Marker is near Maryhill, Washington, in Klickitat County. It can be reached from Maryhill Museum Drive near Lewis and Clark Highway (Washington Route 14). The marker is located near the Maryhill
this page online
Regionally, this marker is in Washington’s Columbia River Gorge, in the Columbia Basin and in Yakima Valley. It is also in the American Mountain West and in the Lewis & Clark Corridor. Globally, it is in North America, in the Cascade Range, on the Ring of Fire, in the Pacific Rim, in the Western Hemisphere, in the Western World, and in the Anglosphere.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 4 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Grain Elevators / The Oregon Trail (a few steps from this marker); Lewis & Clark Trail / Samuel Hill Bridge (within shouting distance of this marker); Lewis & Clark Journals (within shouting distance of this marker); First Sight of the Columbia River (approx. 1.2 miles away in Oregon); Stonehenge (approx. 2.9 miles away); Sam Hill Country (approx. 3 miles away); Deschutes River Crossing (approx. 3.9 miles away in Oregon); Deschutes River Crossing Oregon Trail Kiosk (approx. 3.9 miles away in Oregon). Touch for a list and map
Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, June 12, 2026
2. Loops Road Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on September 10, 2026. It was originally submitted on September 10, 2026, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. This page has been viewed 3 times since then. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on September 10, 2026, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California.
