The first plans to build an automobile road across the North Cascades from Bellingham Bay to the Columbia River were approved by the state legislature in 1893. The section through the Methow Valley and Winthrop was completed in 1909 as one of the first highways built by the Washington State Department of Highways and later paved in 1938. Construction of the final across the mountains did not begin until 1961 and was opened to traffic on September 2, 1972. In anticipation of the new highway and the projected tourist traffic through the town, a large-scale remodeling project was approved in 1971 with funding from a lumber magnate and local businesses. A two-block section of downtown was rebuilt to use 1890s Old West architecture, including false fronts and a boardwalk; by September 1972, 22 buildings had been remodeled. The early design work was contracted to Robert Jorgensen, one of the designers of the Bavarian theme town in Leavenworth, and the project was estimated to cost over $350,000. A design review board was established to maintain the architectural theme, enforced by a "Westernization" ordinance.
The first plans to build an automobile road across the North Cascades from Bellingham Bay to the Columbia River were approved by the state legislature in 1893 The section through the Methow Valley and Winthrop was completed in 1909 as one of the first highways built by the Washington State Department of Highways and later paved in 1938 Construction of the final across the mountains did not begin until 1961 and was opened to traffic on September 2 1972 In anticipation of the new highway and the projected tourist traffic through the town a large-scale remodeling project was approved in 1971 with funding from a lumber magnate and local businesses A two-block section of downtown was rebuilt to use 1890s Old West architecture including false fronts and a boardwalk; by September 1972 22 buildings had been remodeled The early design work was contracted to Robert Jorgensen one of the designers of the Bavarian theme town in Leavenworth and the project was estimated to cost over $350000 A design review board was established to maintain the architectural theme enforced by a "Westernization" ordinance