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Introduction
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Historians generally view the
process of Westward
movement as having
its genesis in the spread of settlement away from the Atlantic
Coast, a process
that removed the frontier at places up to two hundred miles inland by the
mid-eighteenth century. Despite significant variances in economics and
political orientation within the American Colonies, the first phase of westward migration
exhibited the same trait that permeates American continental expansion during
the 18th and 19th centuries that being the pursuit of
inexpensive land suitable for farming.
Although conflicts with Native-American inhabitants sporadically interrupted early
migrations, by the first decades of the 18th century many colonists had used conveyances such as the
Pennsylvania
Road and the Cumberland
Road to
successfully establish settlements well into the interiors of the Middle Colonies, and were poised to cross the Appalachian
Mountains into the
vast interior of the continent. In Pennsylvania, Virginia and Maryland, colonists initiated westward migrations that
were greatly assisted by two military roads left over from the war: the Braddock
Road, which
carried migrants from the headwaters of the Potomac River in western Maryland to Pittsburgh; and the Forbes Road, which ran from eastern Pennsylvania to also
arrive at Pittsburgh. Not
surprisingly, Pittsburgh became the launching point from which thousands of
settlers migrated farther west down the Ohio River to settle portions of what are now West Virginia and eastern Ohio.
Westward migration from the New England colonies occurred in a similar fashion, although other factors
besides securing land for export crops were at work. The strict religious
requirements imposed by the Puritan-led Congregational
Church alienated
many New England colonists, and spurred them to move west in pursuit of
religious moderation. Environmental conditions were also an important
consideration, as the rocky soil of tidewater New England was poorly suited
for farming. Beginning in 1636 with the Reverend Thomas Hooker and his followers, New Englanders moved into
the lush Connecticut
River Valley via the Old Connecticut Path and spread out into other fertile regions of
New England. Indian resistance to
colonial encroachment in New England was fierce, but by 1676 most native
resistance was eliminated thereby opening the interior of New England to
migrant farmers. By 1750 New
Englanders had reached west to Albany, New York through the widening of the old Mohawk
Trail that ran
from Boston through Deerfield,
Massachusetts.
Settlement and migration patterns in New England differed in the Middle Colonies of New York and Pennsylvania. While the desire for land was no less fierce,
powerful Indian groups managed to blunt much of the early westward flow of
American colonists. The powerful Iroquois nations, who inhabited the rich lands from the Mohawk River in northeastern New York to the upper Allegheny
watershed in northwestern Pennsylvania, checked colonial expansion into their
territory by maintaining a system of satellite tribes who occupied the border
region between the Iroquois and the colonials. All land sales or political treaties
between these dependent peoples and the Americans required Iroquois approval.
This system worked remarkably well until the mid-eighteenth century, when
increasing pressure for land in south-central Pennsylvania forced some of the
aforementioned satellite tribes, such as the Lenapes and Shawnees, to migrate across the Appalachian Mountains
into eastern Ohio. A flood of colonial
migrants, led by fur traders and land speculators, used the Iroquois
(Mohawk) Trail to follow
on the heels of these retreating Native-American peoples. |
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List of routes
Generally these routes are
defined as having their terminus in present day Maine, New Hampshire,
Vermont, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut, New York, Pennsylvania,
New Jersey, Delaware, and Maryland. |
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LOOKING FOR A SPECIFIC Name, Place, or Keyword ?? |
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Use the “Find” function in the Edit
pull down menu. You can also access
this function by holding down the Control key while pressing the F key (Ctrl+F) on your keyboard. |
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Road Trip= link to the “Road Trip” page of
this route. Image Gallery= link to the “Image Gallery” for
this route. Topo Map = link
to a topographic map of this route. Info. Link
=
link to a webpage containing additional facts about this route |
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FROM / TO |
DESCRIPTIVE INFORMATION |
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Albany Post Road |
From: New York
City To: Albany,
NY |
This
historical colonial road was used for mail
delivery. It ran along the east side of the Hudson
River, a service now performed by U.S. Route 9. Info.
Link: (1) |
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Albany and Schenectady Turnpike |
From: Albany,
NY To: Schenectady,
NY |
An
improved eastern portion of the Mohawk
Turnpike undertaken in 1797 with the establishment of the Albany
and Schenectady Turnpike corporation. This road continued to be
profitable until the opening of the Erie
Canal in 1823. Today this historic road follows NY Route 5. Info. Link: (1) |
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Allegheny Path |
From: Philadelphia,
PA To: Pittsburgh,
PA |
This
Native-American route ran from the Delaware River at Philadelphia, through
Morgantown and Paxtang (Harrisburg), to various
points on the Allegheny River. West of
Harrisburg the route followed the Frankstown Path,
the Raystown Path, and the New Path. |
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Ancram Turnpike |
From: Springfield,
MA To: Catskill,
NY |
Originally
called to Catskill Road by 18th
century New Englanders moving west into New York State. The road was
incorporated as a turnpike in 1804. Info. Link: (1);(2) |
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Appian
Way |
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See,
Cochecton –
Newburgh Turnpike |
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Assunpink Trail |
From: New Brunswick, NJ To: Trenton, NJ |
A
Native American
trail in that connected the Raritan
River in the north and the Delaware
River at it southern terminus. The
trail followed along portions of the Old
Dutch Trail, Lincoln Highway, and King’s Highway. Info. Link: (1) |
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FROM / TO |
DESCRIPTIVE
INFORMATION |
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Bald Eagle Creek Path |
From: Lock
Haven, PA To: Frankstown,
PA |
This Native American
footpath was one of the several routes that made up Great Indian Warpath in Pennsylvania. Info. Link: (1) |
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Bank Road |
From: Baltimore,
MD To: Cumberland,
MD |
Built by state funds in 1820 to link existing unimproved roads
with the National Road. Info. Link: (1) |
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Bay Path |
From: Boston,
MA To: Springfield,
MA |
Originally the Native-American long path from
the Bay to the Hudson River, a distance of about 160 miles. The Bay Path was first used by John Oldham
in 1633. On today’s roads it is about
92 miles from Jamacia Pond to Springfield. Info. Link: (1) |
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Bay Road |
From: Sharon,
MA To: Taunton,
MA |
A 17 mile north-south road in southeastern Massachusetts.
Info. Link: (1) |
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Bayley–Hazen Military Road |
From: Newbury,
VT To: Hazens
Notch,
VT |
This
road was constructed between 1776 and 1779 during the American Revolutionary War.
The road is named for Jacob Bayley and Moses
Hazen. The idea for the road was proposed to George Washington
and the Second Continental Congress
for invasions of Quebec by Continental
Army forces following the failed 1775 invasion.
Portions of the road's route are used by modern roads today. Info. Link: (1) |
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Bethlehem Pike |
From: Philadelphia,
PA To: Bethlehem,
PA |
This historic
41 mile road began as a Native American path called the Minsi Trail which evolved into a colonial
highway called the King's Road in
the 1760s. Info. Link: (1) |
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Blue Rock Path |
From: Phoenixville, PA |
Also known as the Blue Rock Road this route connected paths from the Schuylkill River Valley with the Susquehanna River and the Monocacy Path in York County. Info. Link: (1) |
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Boston Post Road |
From: Boston,
MA To: New York,
NY |
A segment of the King’s Highway from MA to SC.
Essentially a system of post roads
containing some of the first major highways in the U.S. The three major alignments were the Lower Post Road, the Upper Post Road, and the Middle Post Road. Info. Link: (1) |
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Boston
Turnpike |
From: Boston,
MA To: Hartford,
CT |
This 19th century
turnpike was chartered in 1797 and
ran mostly along modern US 44 as the direct route from Hartford to Boston. |
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Braddock’s Road |
From: Cumberland,
MD To: Braddock,
PA |
A 1752
wagon road to the Youghiogheny River in western Pennsylvania. In 1755 it was improved and extended to the
Monongahela River by British General Edward Braddock. Info. Link: (1);(2) |
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Burd’s Road |
From: Brownsville,
PA To: Cumberland,
MD |
James Burd
probably travelled this route to the Redstone
Creek where he oversaw the
erection, of Fort Burd.
The eastern portion of this road was the Native-American Turkeyfoot Path. This
route is also known as the Glade
Road. Info. Link: (1);(2) |
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FROM / TO |
DESCRIPTIVE
INFORMATION |
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Canada Road |
From: Reading, PA To: Halton Co., Ontario |
A north-south trail along the
Susquehanna River used by German Mennonites to migrate Ontario, Canada after
the King of Great Britain opened up settlement in this area in 1800. Info. Link: (1) |
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Catawba
Path (PA) |
From: Nichols Run, NY To: Point Marion, PA |
The Catawba Path through Pennsylvania was a
section of the great Native-American footpath that started at the Iroquois
lands in New York State and ran through to Morgantown, WV and on to the
Carolinas, Kentucky and Tennessee. A part of the system of travel routes
known as the Great Indian War and Trading
Path It was one of the most important paths in North America and was
known by many names. Its extensions
served from Florida to Canada and the Mississippi Valley. Info. Link: (1) |
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Catawissa
Path |
From: Catawissa, PA To: Sunbury, PA |
Named
after the Indian town of Catawissa, which was situated at the mouth of the
Catawissa Creek, the Catawissa path ran from Catawissa to Sunbury (then known
as Shamokin). The path was also used by settlers who came into the
Susquehanna River valley from the east. Info. Link: (1) |
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Catskill Road |
From: Springfield, MA To: Catskill, NY |
See Ancram Turnpike Info. Link: (1) |
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Catskill Turnpike |
From: Catskill, NY To:
Bath, NY |
Catskill Turnpike is a general term used for the 200-mile-long route completed 1806.
The eastern portion was known as the Susquehanna Turnpike. The route was of great importance in connecting New England with
the Great Lakes in the Midwest. Info. Link: (1) |
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Centre Turnpike |
From: Reading, PA To: Sunbury, PA |
Completed around 1814 this roadway was 75 miles in
length. It was also known as the Reading-Sunbury
Road. Info. Link: (1) |
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Cherry
Valley Turnpike |
From:
Albany,
NY To:
Cazenovia,
NY |
This road from Albany
heading west to the town of Cherry Valley
was first constructed in 1799 as a toll road. In 1803, an extension to Cazenovia
was authorized, and completed by 1811. This route was heavily used by people
trying to establish new settlements in central New York.
Info. Link: (1) |
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Cochecton – Newburgh Turnpike |
From: Newburgh, NY To: Cochecton, NY |
Completed in 1808
this road connected the Hudson and the Delaware rivers and went from Newburgh
on the Hudson, over the Shawangunk ridge at
Bloomingburg and through the Catskill Mountains to Cochecton
on the Delaware. This roadway was also known as the Appian Way. Info. Link: (1) |
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Conestoga - Newport Path |
From: Washington
Boro, PA To: Newport,
DE |
This
Native-American footpath followed the Great Minquas
Path to Gap, PA where it branched off and led southeast to Newport, Delaware
(on the Christina River).
Today Pennsylvania Route 41
and State Route 41 (Delaware)
follow the route of the path from Gap southeast to Newport, Delaware. Info. Link: (1) |
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Conestoga Path |
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Another name for that section of the Monocacy Path
in Pennsylvania. |
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Conewago Path |
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See Conoy Path |
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Conoy Path |
From: Bainbridge, PA To: Carlisle, PA |
This historic
trail, also known as the Conewago Path, was
named for a band of Conoy Indians who lived from
about 1718 to 1743 at Conoy Town (Bainbridge) at
the mouth of the Conoy Creek. At Carlisle it
connected to the east-west Allegheny Path. The part of the path in
Lancaster County is sometimes seen as an extension of Old Peter's Road.
Info. Link: (1) |
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Culbertson’s Path |
From: Allenwood, PA To: Williamsport, PA |
A Native-American trail in north central Pennsylvania,
which connected the Great Island Path
with the Sheshequin
Path. The southeastern terminus
was on the West
Branch Susquehanna River. The northwestern end was north of the city
of Williamsport.
Info. Link: (1) |
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FROM / TO |
DESCRIPTIVE
INFORMATION |
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FROM / TO |
DESCRIPTIVE INFORMATION |
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Esopus Turnpike |
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Another name for the Ulster and Delaware Turnpike. |
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FROM / TO |
DESCRIPTIVE
INFORMATION |
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Forbes Road |
From: Carlisle, PA To: Pittsburgh,
PA |
The Forbes Road
stretched about 200 miles from Carlisle to the Forks of the Ohio. It was
named for Brigadier General John Forbes, the commander of the 1758 British
expedition that built it. Originally a part of the Raystown Path it later it became the western portion of the Pennsylvania Road. |
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Forbidden
Path |
From: Athens, PA To: Salamanca, NY |
The name of this Native-American trail comes from the Seneca
tribe who were the Keepers of the Western Door of the Six Iroquois
Nations. It was Iroquois national
policy that white men were forbidden to traverse the path as it was the
gateway to Seneca country. In 1767 and
1768 David Zeisberger travelled this route from the
Susquehanna River to the Allegheny River where he established several
missions. Info. Link: (1);(2) |
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Frankstown Path |
From: Harrisburg,
PA To: Kittanning,
PA |
This
ancient Native-American route was often referred to as the Alleghany Path or Ohio Path. It became the
most import route across Pennsylvania during colonial times. Branches of this trail also lead to Tarentum, PA and Pittsburgh, PA. Info. Link: (1)
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French Creek Path |
From: Conestoga,
PA To: Phoenixville, PA |
The French Creek Path led northeast from the Susquehanna River along the Conestoga River to Lancaster, then east into Chester County to the Schuylkill River. Pennsylvania Route 999 follows the course of this path to Lancaster, and Pennsylvania Route 23 continues from there to Phoenixville. Info. Link: (1) |
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French Road |
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See Portage Road |
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FROM / TO |
DESCRIPTIVE
INFORMATION |
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Gist’s Trace |
From: Cumberland,
MD To: Brownsville,
PA |
Named after Christopher
Gist
this early route began as a wagon road around 1782. It followed the
Native-American footpath known as Nemacolin's Trail.
Sixty
miles in length, this road formed a means of passage between the Potomac and
Ohio rivers. Info. Link: (1) |
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Glade Road |
From: Bedford,
PA To: Washington,
PA |
A name for a section of the Raystown Path, and Forbes Road
as well as the later Pennsylvania Road.
Info. Link: (1) |
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Glocester Turnpike |
From: Chepachet, RI To: Smithfield, RI |
This 19th century turnpike was chartered in
1804. It follows along US
Route 44 in Rhode Island. Info. Link: (1) |
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Goshen Turnpike |
From: Goshen, NY To: Wallkill, NY |
The entire length of this early
American road is about 12 miles. The
oldest section of the route, from the village of Goshen to Mount Joy Road and
the Wallkill River, was probably built by the families who had settled the
frontier lands of Goshen Township about 1720. Info. Link: |
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Great Genesee Road |
From: Utica,
NY To: Buffalo,
NY |
This historic American road is recognized as the western 200
miles of the Native-American foot path known as the Iroquois Trail. A later improvement to this route became known as
the Seneca Turnpike. Info. Link: (1);(2) |
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Great
Indian War & Trading Path (MD) |
From: State Line, To: Williamsport, MD |
A segment of the Great Indian War and Trading
Path called the Virginia
Path that ran through the Great Appalachian Valley
in Maryland. The routing of this ancient trail approximates present U.S. Route 11 and runs for
12 miles through Washington Co., MD. Info. Link: (1);(2);(3) |
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Great
Indian War & Trading Path (NY) |
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The segment of the Native-American footpaths
that ran through the Great Appalachian Valley
in New York State. This route was also known as the Great Indian War and Trading
Path, as well as the Seneca Trail. |
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Great
Indian War & Trading Path (PA) Topo Map:(1);(2); Image Gallery |
From: Athens,
PA To: State Line, |
The segment of the Native-American footpaths
that ran through the Great Appalachian Valley
in Pennsylvania. From Athens to
Sunbury it was primarily known as the Great Warriors Path and from Harrisburg to State Line it was
called the Virginia Path. This entire route was also known as the Great
Indian War Path. Info. Link: (1) |
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Great Island Path |
From: Sunbury,
PA To: Lock
Haven, PA |
A major Native American trail along the right
bank of the West
Branch Susquehanna River north and then west to the
Great Island (near modern day Lock
Haven). Info. Link: (1);(2);(3) |
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Great Minquas Path |
From: Conestoga,
PA To: Philadelphia,
PA |
Also known by European colonists as The Great
Trail this trail was a 17th-century trade
route that ran through southeastern Pennsylvania from the Susquehanna River,
to the Schuylkill River,
The 80-mile (130 km) east-west trail was the primary route for fur trading
with the Minquas (or Susquehannock)
people. Info. Link: (1);(2) |
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Great Path |
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see Great Trail |
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Great Shamokin Path |
From: Sunbury,
PA To: Kittanning,
PA |
Native-American Trail that connected the
Susquehanna River with the Allegheny River,(and the
Ohio River downstream of Kittanning). aka. Shamokin Path. Info. Link: (1);(2);(3);(4);(5) |
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Great Trail |
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A network of footpaths, created by Native-Americans, that connected the Great Lakes to New England
and the mid-Atlantic
Regions. aka. Great
Path. Info. Link: (1) |
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Great Warriors Path |
From Athens,
PA To: Sunbury,
PA |
The name for the northern portion of the Great Indian War and Trading Path in Pennsylvania.
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Greenwood Road |
From: Hartford,
CT To: Albany,
NY |
This route was a 100 mile long western extension
of the Old Connecticut Path. It was
extensively utilized by New Englanders to move west into New York State and
beyond during the 18th and 19th centuries. The route is generally replicated on US Route 44, between
Hartford and Caanan, CT., US Route 7 to Pittsfield,
MA and US Route 20
from there to Albany, NY. |
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Greenwoods
Turnpike |
From: North
Canaan, CT To: New
Hartford, CT |
A 19th-century turnpike, now US Route 44, in Connecticut that was in operation from about 1799 to
1872. Originally a part of the Greenwood Road. Info. Link: (1) |
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FROM / TO |
DESCRIPTIVE
INFORMATION |
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Hinman Settler Road |
From: Greensboro, VT To: Derby, VT |
The
Hinman Settler Road was constructed by
former Revolutionary War
veteran Timothy Hinman
from 1791-1795. The road is 30 miles (48 km) long. Info. Link: (1) |
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Hudson River Road |
From: New York City,
NY To: Albany,
NY |
This route follows present day U.S.
Route 9
to Albany and the Mohawk River Valley.
It began as the land route alternative for travel up the Hudson River
Valley. The Hudson River Road was only
a horse path in the early 1700’s, but became a wagon trail by the
1750’s. Info.
Link: (1) |
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Huntington Turnpike |
From
Bridgeport, CT To:
Shelton, CT |
This toll road was chartered in 1828 and
operated until 1886. The northern portion followed current Route 108. The southern end of the Turnpike is now
designated as SR 730 (East Main Street to Route 8) in Bridgeport and SR 711
(Route 8 to Route 108) in Trumbull. Info. Link: (1) |
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FROM / TO |
DESCRIPTIVE
INFORMATION |
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Iroquois (Mohawk) Trail |
From: Albany,
NY To: Fort
Niagara, NY |
This Native-American footpath extended east-west from the Hudson
River to Niagara
River. A branch of the trail
extended from Utica to Fort Oswego, NY. Early colonists used this route to
penetrate the New York wilderness and beyond into Ohio and the Old Northwest
Territory. As improvements were made
to the route the eastern portion to Utica, NY became known as the Mohawk Turnpike and from Utica it was
called the Great Genesee Road. Info. Link: (1); (2) |
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FROM / TO |
DESCRIPTIVE
INFORMATION |
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Jericho Turnpike |
From: Kingston,
NY To: Bainbridge,
NY |
Named after to town of
Jericho, now Bainbridge, NY. The portion of the Ulster and Delaware Turnpike constructed after 1800 to connect
the Hudson Valley with the Susquehanna River. Info. Link: (1);(2) |
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Juniata Path |
From: Dalmatia,
PA To: Huntingdon,
PA |
This native-American footpath began at McKee’s
Upper Trading Post (Dalmatia) then forded the Susquehanna River at McKee’s
Half Falls. It ran to Thompsontown on the Juniata River then through Lewistown
to near Mt. Union where it joined the Frankstown Path. Much of the path follows modern U.S. Route
22 ( William Penn Highway). |
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FROM / TO |
DESCRIPTIVE
INFORMATION |
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Kennebunk
Road |
From: Boston,
MA To: Augusta, ME |
A coastal trail used from 1630-1761 as a migration
route for settlers from Rhode Island, Connecticut, and New Hampshire into
Maine. Info. Link: (1) |
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King’s Highway (ME) |
From: Kittery,
ME To: Calais,
ME |
The first section was built 1653 in order to
connect Kittery and York to Boston. The road was soon extended to Portland.
Over the next century, the route was expanded and upgraded to a military road
in 1761. Today this historic road approximates U.S. Route 1. Info. Link: (1);(2) |
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King’s Road |
From: Philadelphia,
PA To: Bethlehem,
PA |
See Bethlehem Pike. |
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Kittanning Path |
From: Frankstown,
PA To: Kittanning,
PA |
A local name for the western section of the Frankstown Path a major east-west Native
American trail in western Pennsylvania used during the 18th century. Info. Link: (1);(2) |
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FROM / TO |
DESCRIPTIVE
INFORMATION |
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Lackawanna Path |
From: Pittston, PA To: Windsor,
NY |
This
Native-American trail ran from the Lackawanna River to the North Branch of
the Susquehanna River. It is also known as the Opuaga Path or the Onaquaga Path. |
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Lehigh Path |
From: Easton, PA To: Wilkes-Barre,
PA |
A
Native-American footpath that ran from the Forks of the Delaware by way of
Fort Allen (Weissport) to the Nanticoke Creek. |
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Lower Post Road |
From: Boston,
MA To: Greenwich,
CT |
This
road generally corresponds to the original alignment of U.S.
Route 1 in Massachusetts, Rhode
Island, and eastern Connecticut. This is now the best-known of the Boston Post Road routes. Info. Link: (1) |
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FROM / TO |
DESCRIPTIVE
INFORMATION |
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Middle Post Road |
From: Dedham,
MA To: Hartford,
CT |
This Boston
Post Road route split off from the Upper
Post Road in Hartford, and generally ran along current U.S.
Route 44 to Mansfield, Connecticut. From Mansfield,
it headed into Massachusetts and progressed along sections of modern Route 16
and Route 109
to Dedham
where it meets with the Lower Post Road (old U.S. Route 1) heading into
Boston. Info. Link: (1) |
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Minsi Trail |
|
See Bethlehem
Pike. |
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Mohawk Trail |
From: Boston,
MA To: Albany,
NY |
Began use as an improved path in 1753. It followed the Millers
River,
Deerfield River and crossed the Hoosac
Range
into the Hudson River Valley of New York State. Aka. Rice Road. Info. Link: (1) |
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Mohawk Turnpike |
From: Albany,
NY To: Utica,
NY |
Chartered in 1800 this historic road follows the Iroquois Trail to Utica were it joins
with Great Genesee Road. Info. Link: (1);(2);(3) |
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Monocacy Path |
From: Lancaster,
PA To: Frederick,
MD |
This ancient
native-American footpath became a migration route used by early German
pioneers as they moved out of
Pennsylvania into Maryland, and finally as they settled the Valley of
Virginia. Aka. Monocacy Road. |
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Mount
Hope – Lumberland Turnpike |
From: Mount
Hope, NY To: Narrowsburg,
NY |
This route was
started in 1812. It traveled over the Shawangunk Mountain, past present day Cuddebackville
and up the Oakland Valley corridor, ultimately reaching Narrowsburg on the
Delaware River. Info. Link: (1) |
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FROM / TO |
DESCRIPTIVE
INFORMATION |
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Nanticoke Path |
From: Calvert, MD To: Nanticoke,
PA |
At its southern
terminus this route converged with other paths to places on the Eastern Shore
of the Chesapeake Bay. From there it followed the ridge between the
Susquehanna and Delaware (Brandywine Creek) watersheds thus seldom did it
cross streams. By the early 1800’s
much of this route was incorporated into the old Limestone Road. Today
routes PA
10
and PA
309
approximate parts this ancient footpath. Info.
Link: (1) |
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Naraticong Trail |
|
See Old York Road |
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Nemacolin's Path |
From: Cumberland,
MD To: Brownsville,
PA |
Nemacolin's Path,
was an ancient Native American
trail that crossed the great barrier of the Allegheny Mountains
via the Cumberland Narrows
Mountain pass
and connected the Potomac
River and the Monongahela River
watersheds on either side of the Allegheny
range of the present-day southern
Pennsylvania. Also known
later as Gist’s Trace. Info. Link: (1) |
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New
Path |
From: Middlesex,
PA To: Shirleysburg,
PA |
This trail was a short cut on the Frankstown
Path between Paxtang (Harrisburg) and Aughwick (Shirleysburg). It was well used by European traders after
1749. Info. Link: (1);(2) |
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New Castle Path |
From; Peach
Bottom, PA To: New Castle, DE |
The New
Castle Path ran from the Susquehanna River east to the Delaware
River. It was sometimes known as the Susquehanna
Path. Info. Link: (1) |
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New
Haven & Milford Turnpike |
From: New
Haven, CT To: Milford,
CT |
This road was chartered in 1802 to the New
Haven and Milford Turnpike Company, which was allowed to build a road
from the courthouse in New Haven to the
meeting-house in Milford. Info. Link: (1) |
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New
London & Lyme Turnpike |
From: New
London, CT To: Lyme,
CT |
This road was chartered in 1807 to the
New London and Lyme Turnpike Company for the purpose of making
improvements to a section of the Boston
Post Road that ran between New London and Killingworth
through Waterford and Lyme. The westerly terminus
of the turnpike was at the Connecticut
River. Info. Link: (1) |
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New
Milford & Sherman Turnpike |
From: New
Milford, CT To: Sherman,
CT |
Established
in 1818 this toll road ran from New Milford to Sherman to the state line in Pawling, New York
where it connected with the Phillipstown
Turnpike. Today much of the old turnpike is designated ast CT Route 37. |
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FROM / TO |
DESCRIPTIVE
INFORMATION |
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Ohio
Path |
|
See Alleghany Path and
Frankstown Path |
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Old Connecticut Path |
From: Cambridge,
MA To: Hartford,
CT |
In the 1630’s colonists began using this Native-American Trail
which extended westward to the Connecticut River.
Info.
Link: (1) |
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Old
Dutch Trail |
From: New Brunswick, NJ To: Trenton, NJ |
Originally the
Native-American footpath known as the Assunpink Trail. This trail roughly corresponds with today's
NJ Route 27 and was used during colonial
times by Dutch fur traders and other early travelers. Info. Link: (1) |
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Old
Mine Road |
From: Delaware Water
Gap |
A 104 mile road in New
Jersey and New
York said to be one of the oldest
continuously-used roads in the United States of America.
Info.
Link: (1) |
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Old Peter's Road |
From: Downingtown,
PA To: Bainbridge,
PA |
The
name of this route comes from Peter Bezaillon, who
had a trading post at the village of Conoy (now
Bainbridge). The road was laid out in
1718 on Bezaillon's bridle path,
which followed an old Native-American path. U.S.
Route 30, as well as Pennsylvania
Routes 340, 897,
283,
and 230 all follow
parts of Old Peter's Road. For a time it was "the main artery between
Philadelphia and the western frontier of Pennsylvania. Info. Link: (1) |
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Old Province Road
|
From:
Durham, NH To: Coos County, NH |
One of the earliest highways in New Hampshire, it
was authorized in 1765 as a supply route from the tidewater port of Durham to the colony's northern settlements in Coos County. The section of the road through Gilmanton was built in 1770. Info. Link: (1) |
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Old
Roebuck Road |
From:
Boston, MA To: Providence, RI |
This early
colonial route was one of the principal roads that came out of Boston. At
Providence it connected with the Pequot
Path to form a link in the chain of paths which reached from Boston to
New York, over which a monthly post was established about 1690. This later
became known as the Lower Post Road. Info. Link: (1) |
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Old York Road |
From:
Elizabeth, NJ To: Philadelphia, PA |
Also known
as the York Road or King's Highway
this roadway was built in the 18th century through New Jersey. It followed
along the Lenni-Lenape
path known as the Naraticong Trail. Info. Link: (1) |
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Onaquaga
Path |
|
See Lackawanna Path |
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Ontario &
Genesee Turnpike |
From: Canandaigua, NY To: Buffalo, NY |
The western extension of the Great Genesee Road that follows NY Route 5. Info. Link: (1) |
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Opuaga Path |
|
See Lackawanna
Path |
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FROM / TO |
DESCRIPTIVE
INFORMATION |
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Paxtang Path |
From: Conestoga,
PA To: Sunbury,
PA |
This ancient Native-American footpath went north
from Conestoga along the Susquehanna River to Paxtang
(modern Harrisburg),
then mostly followed the river north to the village of Shamokin
at modern Sunbury,
where the Susquehanna River forks. Info. Link: (1) |
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Peach Bottom Path |
From: Hayesville,
PA To: Peach
Bottom, PA |
This Native-American footpath led west and
slightly south from Chester County to the Susquehanna River. At its eastern
terminus it connected to the Nanticoke Path. Info. Link: (1) |
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Penns Creek Path |
From: Sunbury,
PA To: Frankstown,
PA |
The Penns
Creek Path began on the Susquehanna River at the Native-American town of
Shamokin (now Sunbury). This route is
now closely approximated on PA Routes 304, and 45, as well as US 22 to Frankstown. Info. Link: (1) |
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Pennsylvania Road |
From: Harrisburg,
PA To: Pittsburgh,
PA |
In 1785 the
State of Pennsylvania authorized this new route from Harrisburg to Pittsburgh
following the old Forbes Road. By
its completion in 1818 this newer route changed the old road in many ways. It
now ran through Greensburg rather than Hannastown
and took a south branch through Wilkinsburg. See Forbes Road Info. Link: (1) |
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Pequot
Path |
From: Providence,
RI To: New
London, CT |
A Native-American trail that
traversed south and westward to the lands of the Pequots. It was the earliest traveled highway used
by the English settlers of Rhode Island. See Upper Post Road. Info. Link: (1) |
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Philadelphia - Lancaster Turnpike |
From: Philadelphia,
PA To: Columbia,
PA |
Originally a segment of the Great
Wagon Road. The 62 mile improved
turnpike road opened in 1795 as the first long-distance, paved road
built in the United States according to engineered plans and specifications. Info. Link: (1) |
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Philipstown Turnpike |
From: Cold
Spring, NY To: Pawling,
NY |
In 1815, the Philipstown
Turnpike Company was organized to improve upon a road from Cold Spring
to the Connecticut
border to overcome a lack of transportation when
the Hudson River froze
during the winter months. East of the
Connecticut border, the turnpike continued as the New
Milford and Sherman Turnpike. Info. Link: (1);(2);(3) |
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Pomfret & Killingly Turnpike |
From: Int.
of US 44 & CT 101 41.86166, -71.96561 41.8497, -71.7942 |
This 8.5 mile long road was formally established
in 1802. It ran east-west from the intersection of US Route 44 (Boston Turnpike) and CT Route 101
through the Town of Killington to the Rhode Island state line. |
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Portage Road |
From:
Westville, NY To: Mayville, NY |
Circa
1755 the French constructed a portage road between Lake Erie and the head of
Chautauqua lake. Later this became one of the first routes in Chautauqua
county over which, much merchandise, including large amounts of salt from
Onondaga county, were annually transported to Pittsburgh, and places on the
river below. Aka Old Portage Road
or French Road. Info. Link: (1);(2);(3);(4) |
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Powder Hill Turnpike |
From:
Johnston, RI To:
Providence, RI |
This 19th
century turnpike follows along US
Route 44 (Smith Street) through North
Providence and Providence, Rhode Island. This road was named
for a
Revolutionary War powder mill that was located in the town of Johnston. Info. Link: (1) |
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FROM / TO |
DESCRIPTIVE
INFORMATION |
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FROM / TO |
DESCRIPTIVE
INFORMATION |
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Raystown Path |
From: Harrisburg,
PA To: Pittsburgh,
PA |
A Native-American trail that was a section of the Allegheny Path from Philadelphia to Pittsburg
and Kittanning. It later became a part of the Forbes Road, and eventually the Pennsylvania Road. Info. Link: (1) |
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Reading-Sunbury
Road |
From: Reading,
PA To: Sunbury,
PA |
see Centre Turnpike |
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Rensselaer
& Columbia Turnpike |
From: Rensselaer,
NY To: Brainard,
NY |
This historic roadway was chartered in
1799. It is 28 miles long and runs in
a southeasterly direction following modern day US Route 20
through Nassau
to the Massachusetts state line. Info. Link: (1);(2) |
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Rice Road |
|
see Mohawk Trail |
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FROM / TO |
DESCRIPTIVE
INFORMATION |
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Salisbury & Canaan Turnpike |
From: Huntsville,
CT To: Millerton,
NY |
Chartered in 1801, this private toll road was s created from the
Native-American Sepasco Trail. The turnpike ran from Huntsville along modern
CT Routes 63 and 126 to Falls
Village, then it proceeded west through the town of Salisbury
and on into the village of Lakeville.
From there, the turnpike used modern Route 44 to reach the village of Millerton, New York,
where the road connected with the Ulster and Delaware Turnpike.
Info.
Link: (1);(2) |
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Seneca Road |
From: Utica,
NY To: Buffalo,
NY |
A major part of the Great
Genesee Road,
also known as the Seneca
Trail. Info. Link: (1) |
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Seneca Trail |
|
see Seneca Road |
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Seneca Turnpike |
From: Utica,
NY To: Canandaigua,
NY |
This 160 mile road was chartered in 1800 as an improved portion
of the Great Genesee Road that ran
along modern NY
Route 5. Also known as the Seneca Road, or Seneca Trail. Info. Link: (1);(2) |
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Sepasco Trail |
From: Rhinebeck,
NY To: Sepasco
Lake, NY |
Named for the Native-American Sepasco people this trail ran eastward roughly following
current day Route 308. It was used by
European settlers as early as 1685. Later became a segment of the Salisbury & Canaan Turnpike. Info. Link: (1) |
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Shamokin
Path |
|
see Great Shamokin Path. |
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Sheshequin Path |
From: Williamsport,
PA |
This Native American trail that was a shortcut
between the west and north branches of the Susquehanna River and was used by
early settlers. |
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Susquehanna Path |
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Another name for the Maryland portion of the Monocacy Path. Another name for the New Castle Path. |
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Susquehanna Turnpike |
From: Catskill,
NY To: Unadilla,
NY |
The original portion of the Catskill
Turnpike that ran from Catskill, NY to Unadilla, NY (Wattles Ferry). Link: (1);(2);(3) |
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FROM / TO |
DESCRIPTIVE
INFORMATION |
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Talcott Mountain Turnpike |
From: New
Hartford, CT To: Hartford,
CT |
A 19th-century
turnpike, now US Route 44, in Connecticut that was incorporated in 1798. It connected with the Greenwoods Turnpike and was originally a part of the Greenwood Road. Info. Link: (1), |
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Tulpehocken Path |
From: Sunbury,
PA To: Womelsdorf,
PA |
The Tulpehocken Trail from Shamokin
(Sunbury) to the Tulpehocken Creek at Womelsdorf
was used by the Iroquois coming from Onondaga (Syracuse) and parts of the Six
Nations to the Tulpehocken Creek and Philadelphia
region. Info. Link: (1);(2);(3);(4) |
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Turkeyfoot Path |
From: Cumberland,
MD To: Confluence,
PA |
This Native-American trail connected the
Potomac River to junction of three waterways: the Youghiogheny River, the Casselman
River, and Laurel Hill
Creek.
Here also was the junction of several other paths. Also known as the Glade Road, as well as the Turkey
Foot Road. |
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Tuscarora
Path |
From: Bertie
Co., NC To: Sunbury,
PA |
This ancient footpath began
in the ancestral home of the Southern Tuscarora Indian Nation in northeastern
North Carolina. It was created as a route to connect the Tuscaroras
with the Iroquois Confederacy. |
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FROM / TO |
DESCRIPTIVE
INFORMATION |
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Ulster and Delaware Turnpike |
From: Kingston,
NY To: Bainbridge,
NY |
This historic roadway was also called the Jericho Turnpike or Esopus Turnpike was begun in 1802 and
chartered in 1806. It ran for 25 miles from Kingston via Delhi
to Bainbridge (then called Jericho) on the Susquehanna River. To the east it
connected to the Salisbury and Canaan
Turnpike in Connecticut via a section that crossed the Hudson at
Rhinebeck. |
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Ulster and Salisbury
Turnpike |
From: Salisbury,
CT To: Kingston,
NY |
another
name for the Salisbury and Canaan Turnpike |
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Upper Post Road |
From: Boston,
MA To: New
Haven, CT |
A
part of the Boston Post Road that
was originally a Native-American called the Pequot Path. Starting in 1673 Colonists used this route to
deliver mail Info. Link: (1)
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FROM / TO |
DESCRIPTIVE INFORMATION |
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Venango Path |
From: Pittsburgh,
PA To: Presque
Isle, PA |
A
Native American
trail
that was named after the Native American village of Venango where French Creek
empties into the Allegheny
River. The village is now the site
of the small city of Franklin,
Pennsylvania. Shortly after the Revolutionary War,
the Venango Path was replaced by the Franklin Road, the first wagon road in
the region. Info. Link: (1);(2);(3) |
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FROM / TO |
DESCRIPTIVE
INFORMATION |
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West Glocester
Turnpike |
From: West
Glocester, RI To: Chepachet, RI |
This 19th century turnpike ran along the alignment of modern US Route 44 from the
Connecticut state line to Chepachet, RI where it connected with the Glocester Turnpike. Info. Link: (1) |
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FROM / TO |
DESCRIPTIVE
INFORMATION |
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FROM / TO |
DESCRIPTIVE
INFORMATION |
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DESCRIPTIVE
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Image Gallery
During our research we have collected images and
photographs that are of general interest to a variety of historic American
roads, trails and migration routes.
Some of them are presented on this website because we believe they
tend to provide the reader with additional
information which may aid in the
understanding of this topic as well as our ancestors past lives. |
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