It has been said that the greatest invention in history is the wheel. If so, then today's modern superhighways are surely one of humankind's greatest achievements. The Ohio Turnpike is a modern revival of an ancient form of transportation.
Toll roads go back to Roman times.
In the early days of the United States, the U.S. Congress authorized a national toll road to be carved out of the wilderness. In time, the new road came through Ohio, thus easing travel for horsemen, buggies and Conestoga wagons on their way west. A toll of two cents per every 10 miles was charged for horses. Over the years, new paths were carved as the population of Ohio grew. With the coming of the automobile, dirt roads and wooden bridges gave way to concrete surfaces and spans of steel.