History of the National Road

The National Road was the very first roadway to be funded with federal cash, and the first interstate highway in America. Congress allowed it to be built in 1806 under the presidency of Thomas Jefferson and it was built slowly over time in small sections beginning in Cumberland, MD and ending at Vidalia, IL. It served as the primary road for getting settlers and goods from the eastern section of the country to the west back in the early 1800s and essentially spanned a total of 300 miles that extended of six states: Pennsylvania, Maryland, West Virginia, Ohio, Indiana and Illinois.

By 1850, railroad travel eventually took over the National Road before and individual states put sections of the road into their control.

Why The Road Was Built And The Question of Funding

Going back to the history of the road, there were two challenges that first had to be overcome before it was capable of being built in the early 1800s. These were the precise location of where the road was to be built and the question of how to fund it.

The first problem was addressed based on the need for better transportation in a newly built country in dire need of it. Many settlers were complaining of the difficulties in transportation between the eastern and western parts of the country. After Revolutionary War veterans were provided with western tracts, the problem was further exacerbated. The nation had to resolve this critical issue with transportation in order to flourish and survive.

The Swiss-American linguist, Albert Gallatin proposed that federal land sales be exempt from taxation but to take a portion of their earnings to build the road. Farmers had no issues with these requests and hardly anyone protested about the building of the new road that would traverse through their properties.

Within a few short years, committee members began to put together the plans for the road and were hoping that it would be built using a very straight line with little deviation. Although Jefferson signed a document that allowed the National Road to run through the capitals of each major state along the route, it wasn't until 1811 that the real work really started.

All kinds of people used the road regularly including traders, settlers and individuals of all social strata. Some people even waited eagerly for the new sections of the road to open up with their horses and wagons. They immediately filled the road upon the slightest announcement of its opening. Many six-horse teams of wagons (kind of like today's modern truckers) also filled the roads allowing local business to become more profitable thanks to their ability to transport goods around the nation.

CB39.org provides truck drivers and future truck drivers a wealth of information on being a truck driver. For more information on a United States Highways visit http://truck-driver-blog.blogspot.com/2015/01/national-road-history.html or National Road History.

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