10 Questions
Which mode of transportation initially hauled produce from frontier farms to the East Coast?
Conestoga wagons
In what decade did the excitement for the National Road fade when the railroads were introduced?
1870s
Where is the S Bridge located, which is 4 miles east of Old Washington, Ohio?
Ohio
When was the Casselman River Bridge constructed as part of the National Road?
1813 to 1814
What is the current use of the Casselman River Bridge in Maryland?
Pedestrian traffic only
What year did the National Old Trails Road become part of the National Road?
1912
Where is the S Bridge located and what is its current state?
4 miles east of Old Washington, Ohio; deteriorated and used for pedestrian traffic only
What is the significance of the Casselman River Bridge in Maryland?
It is the largest 80-foot span stone bridge in America.
How did the National Road's popularity return in the 1920s?
With the automobile and federal aid for road improvements.
What is the current status of the Casselman River Bridge in Maryland?
Partially restored and now the center of Casselman River Bridge State Park.
Study Notes
National Road History
- The National Road, also known as Route 40, was built between 1811 and 1834 to reach western settlements.
- It was the first federally funded road in U.S. history, authorized by Congress in 1806 and signed into law by President Jefferson.
Construction and Development
- The first 10 miles of road were built in 1811, and by 1818, the road was completed to Wheeling.
- Mail coaches began using the road in 1818.
- By the 1830s, the federal government conveyed part of the road's responsibility to the states through which it ran.
Impact on Settlements
- A settlement pattern developed along the National Road, which is still visible today.
- Original towns and villages are found along the road, many remaining unchanged over time.
- The road became Main Street in these early settlements, earning the nickname "The Main Street of America."
Popularity and Cultural Significance
- The National Road reached the height of its popularity in 1825, celebrated in song, story, painting, and poetry.
- Popularity soared again in the 1840s, with travelers and drovers crowding inns and taverns along the route.
- The road was also known as the Cumberland Road, National Pike, and other names.
Test your knowledge on the history of the National Road, also known as Route 40, which was the first federally funded road in U.S. history. Learn about its significance in connecting western settlements and its construction between 1811 and 1834.
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