In 1864 the Glarner Chief Administrative Officer delegated the responsibility cantonal government to plan the construction of a street through the PASS. In 1893 the construction began and six years later 46.6 km long street was built from Altdorf to Linthal.  In 1899 the Klausen Pass street was released for pedestrians and carriages.  The 4.8 meter wide road with its spacious curve and maximum gradient of less than 9 percent was designed for military purposes.

Like most of the Alpine passes in Switzerland, in the beginning it was prohibited for vehicles to travel the winding roads of the Klausen Pass. Free travel was allowed only for stagecoaches and heavy lumber transportation.  In 1922 changes became obvious in the automotive sport.  Spectacular racing cars inspired the masses in different races in France, Italy, and England.  Of course Switzerland was encouraged to follow.  In this year an Alpine Car race was approved for the crossing.  The Klausen Pass served as a testing ground.  For the first Klausen race there was neither program nor placards.  Although disguised as a mountain road test, 14 racing cars participated.

No other hill-climbing course in Europe fascinated its spectators and drivers as intensely as the 21.5 km distance from Linthal over the Urnerboden up to the peak of the Pass.

From 1922 to 1934, the best female and male drivers assembled year after year to compete in the spectacle.  Their spectacular performances and incredible records may fade in ones memory, and yet the sight of an old photograph or a poster brings back memories of unforgettable and enthralling  impressions on the Klausen with prominent names like Caracciola, Stuck, Nuvolari, Chiron and all the other memorable names.  In their fire-spewing racing cars possessed by their daring tempo, they chased, skidded and screeched their way through the winding gravel roads of the Urnerboden, into the wild gorge and up to the finish line at the peak of the Klausen Pass.