Laid in 1911 as the first asphalt road in the state, it achieved low grades with horseshoe curves.

It was bypassed by the present, straighter U.S. Route 97 after World War II.

The road climbs the Columbia Hills from the Columbia River and Spokane, Portland and Seattle Railway to Hill's planned Quaker utopian community at Maryhill, Washington.

Except when rented, it is open to pedestrians and bicycles, but closed to motor vehicle traffic.

The Maryhill Museum of Art rents use of the road for private events by automobile, motorcycle, bicycling, and longboarding clubs.