The Historic Sunset Highway
in Washington

"The Trail to Sunset"

Issaquah Creek Bridge

The first concrete bridges for the Sunset Highway were constructed in 1913. The 1913 Latah Creek bridge located in Spokane, is the longest concrete bridge and it is still in use today. There were 4 other concrete bridges constructed in 1913. The first one, located on Tibbetts Creek is now used as a driveway. There were 3 constructed on Issaquah Creek and 2 still survive today. Driving eastbound from Issaquah on Interstate 90, as the freeway crosses Issaquah Creek, the old concrete bridge can be seen on the right.

The first wagon road between Issaquah and Preston was constructed in 1887 as County Road No. 186 or the O. P. Stephenson Road. This wagon Road from Issaquah follows E. Sunset Way and follows the south side of the hill as it climbs toward Highpoint. About a half mile from the exit the old road runs under the freeway to the exit.

The old road then followed what is now 300th Ave SE. and ran on the north end of the Preston Cemetery on it's way down the hill. This was a steep grade so in 1912, County Road 186 was improved and the road turned south just before the cemetery and connected to what is now 307th Ave. SE. and crossed over the railroad tracks. The 1915 Sunset Highway followed the old wagon road from Issaquah to Highpoint. At Highpoint, the 1915 highway stayed on the southern side of the hill to connect to SE Preston Way.