Joshua Paul Douglas

Joshua P. Douglas was a true pioneer. Born in 1872, he made his way west from New York working on irrigation project along the way he took out a homestead near Tonasket and started a peach orchard.  In 1919 he offered to build a road up the Similkameen from Enloe Dam to the head gates for irrigation.  Douglas & his sons were contracted to build roads using horses and a slip scraper.  He built a road for Indian Chief John Tilki whose place was down near the McLaughlin Canyon area, a very difficult stretch of road. Realizing the importance of good roads a local organization was formed call the Tonasket Commercial and Good Roads Club.  Many volunteers used their cash supplies and horse power to build the roads we use today.