The Quay County Sun in Tucumcari, N.M., has this report about the city receiving federal grants to help replace aging water lines, including along Route 66.
Yeah, it’s not a sexy story. But then there’s this snippet here:
(Charlie) Sandoval did point out, however, he and his crew came across some really ancient waterlines down by the old railroad station, perhaps circa 1900, that were made out of wood.
The redwood pipes had a drilled-out hole in the middle and were wrapped in wire and once covered in tar to keep the water from seeping out. They were part of a water system not unlike those found in ancient Rome.
“They weren’t in service anymore when we found them,