The National Road in Pennsylvania

Images of America: Pennsylvania

by Cassandra Vivian

The history of America is written over every mile of the National Road in Pennsylvania. The original National Road can be traced to Native American trails. George Washington, Gen. Edward Braddock, and James Burd converted portions of Native American trails into a roadway suitable for military purposes and westward expansion. Then came the National Road, built in the early 1800s to accommodate increased traffic traveling westward on the existing road. It was the first federally built road in the United States. Alternately called the National Pike and the Cumberland Road, the National Road was overlaid by segments of U.S. Route 40 in the 1920s. Today, the National Road is designated as a National Scenic Byway as well as an All-American Road. From Addison to West Alexander, The National Road in Pennsylvania contains images of important historic sites and towns on the ninety-mile stretch of highway. The defeat of Col. George Washington's troops at Fort Necessity spawned the French and Indian War. One of the most famous instigators of the Whiskey Rebellion, David Bradford, built his home alongside the National Road. The first cast-iron bridge in America was built on the National Road in Brownsville. The road is flanked by toll houses, coal mines, historic taverns, and automobile camps. One will find images of an S-bridge, mile markers, and memorials relating to the history of the area.

130 pages, Hardcover

First published April 21, 2003

Reviews

[Paul Lunger · Rating 5 out of 5]

Out of the "Images of America: Pennsylvania" from 2003 comes the entry by Cassandra Vivian on "The National Road in Pennsylvania". This fascinating and abbreviated look at the history of this road as it enters the state near Addison and exits near West Alexander goes through the history of how the road was originally parts of various military and Native American trails throughout that corner of Southwestern Pennsylvania as well as explaining the struggles in funding it let alone maintaining it as well as the eventual modernization with the creation of US 40. I like the fact that Vivian actually takes the time in some of these various municipalities that the road passes through to explain the building process as well as historical landmark part of each piece to give we the reader a better feel of what it was like along this important highway in American history.

[Emma · Rating 4 out of 5]

I don't think some people realize how important roads can be. Bypasses are becoming more common to make it faster for people to get to their destination but it can negatively impact the town it "bypasses" because it doesn't bring as much to the local economy.

[Aj Drumheller · Rating 3 out of 5]

My MIL got this book for me as my birthday present 🎁. Still trying to figure out why.