The National Road West is the government’s first project

Boonsboro

May 8, 1811

Categories: American Innovation, Immigration, Transportation
Tags: 1776 – 1816, Allegany County, Garrett County, Washington County

Maryland builds the first interstate road. After Maryland completes a toll road from Baltimore to Cumberland with private funding, the Federal Government funds its first big project in 1811, a free National Road west from Cumberland to link the Potomac to the Ohio River at Wheeling.

Many Irish immigrants join the workforce on the road for subsistence pay. Their job is to break large rocks into small pieces to form a flat surface for the road. By 1837, the road stretches 620 miles and opens a new gateway to the west. A flood of settlers push into Indian lands.

View Other Mosaic Pieces

Chinese and Asian immigrants arrive

John O’Donnell brings the first Asian immigrants to the US in 1785 as sailors on his ship that carries a cargo of Chinese goods. His statue in O’Donnell Square has been recently removed.

Benjamin Banneker, free man of color, is the first Black scientist

Benjamin Banneker joins the 1791 survey team for DC boundaries. He later publishes six annual almanacs.

Carla Hayden becomes the Librarian of Congress

Carla Hayden heads the country’s oldest federal institution, The Library of Congress, in 2019. She is the first professional librarian, first woman and first African American in the post. Previously she directed the Enoch Pratt in Baltimore for 13 years.