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.

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National Road Museum

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