National Road
, U.S. highway, built in the early 19th cent. At
the time of its construction, the Natl. Road was the most ambitious
road-building project ever undertaken in the U.S. It finally extended
from Cumberland (Md.) to St. Louis and was the great highway of Western
migration. Agitation for a road to the West began c.1800. Congress
approved the route and appointed a committee to plan details in 1806.
Contracts were given in 1811, but the War of 1812 intervened, and
construction did not begin until 1815. The 1st sect. (called the
Cumberland Road) was built of crushed stone. Opened in 1818, it ran
from Cumberland to Wheeling (W.Va.), following in part the Native Amer.
trail known as Nemacolin's Path. Largely through the efforts
of Henry Clay it was continued (1825-1833) W through Ohio, using part
of the road built by Ebenezer Zane. By this time the older part of the
road was badly in need of repair. Control of the road was therefore
turned over to the states through which it passed, where tolls for
maintenance were collected. It was carried on to Vandalia (Ill.), and
finally to St. Louis. The old route became part of U.S. Highway 40. At
points on the road copies of a statue called the Madonna of the
Trail have been erected to honor the pioneer women who went West
over the Natl. Road.
Capital city or county seat is shown by the symbol
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