Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1888-03-16
WESTERN RESERVE AND
nIAUMEE TURNPIKE,


The Western Reserve and Maumee
Turnpike was first built as a macadamizcd
road somewhere about 1910. 1t had be-
fore been for some years mud pike.
After it was macadamized 1t was princi-
p lhoroughiare between the east and
the west. 1t was built with the proceeds of
land donated to the State of Ohio by the
general government. When built it was
really for national purpose, and was TO
furnish road for western emigration.
The travel upon it was mainly of people
outside of OHIO. 1t was proper enough
then TO charge toll ; nearly all those who
used the pike for travel were not taxpayers
within the State. The people along the
road were too poor to build any such road.
There were no railroads then and the lake
was closed with ice one-half the year. As
compared with the use of the road with
through travellers, he local travel was insig-
nificant up TO 1852 The road then never
cost the State of OHIO nor the people along
il anything. The toll exacled was simply
to keep the road in repair.
In 1852 the present Lake Shore road
was built and as soon as opened for busi-
meas virtually put an end to all through
travel on this pike. The mails were after
that carried upon the trains and the stage
coaches ceased 10 run. The whole condi-
tion of affairs has become changed there
Is no through travel on the pike now, but
all the travel is local and consists simply
OF people gong 10 their local markets ior
purposes Of trade, using the turnpike pre-
cisely as other roads are used and for nj
l other purpose. All the parties who liv,
on and near this road and who use il L
', 60 to their farms or to carry their produc
q to the market or to go to town for grocer
=, les, must pay toll. Yeton all their tax
= able property they must pay the same pc
cent. OF road tax as those who live ava,
from the pike and do not use il at all.
Every land owner or taxpayer living o.
- or near this pike must pay taxes TO kee
:. up and repair every other highway With
the county, and lie is compelled to pay
20 grossly exhorbitant toll to keep up th
70 pike which Is only local neighborhoo 90
"a road for him. Thus l own land on II
,d w. r. & NJ. pike; TO go to my land froI
a town or from town to the land / must pa
~ toll, and yet must pay and do pay II
n 8 me rate Of tax to keep up and repair Il
~ Greensburg or the Ok Harbor pike, th
70 one pays whose lands borders on either
n, those roads.
ty Those who use the Western Reserve an
TO Maumee road are entitled to free roa
who live along the Rollersvile road or Il
it North Ridge road. Some urge that Il
e, State should put this in good repair befo
at surrendering it, This objection is capt
s. ious. For 20 years repeated effort h
Il. been made to get the Stale Legislature
a appropriate money TO repair this road, an
ne without success, There is no posslb
Or chance OF getting dollar IRON tho Stat
Of This is the only turnpike or highway oy
w winch the Slate has or prelends any col
: troll. The road being purely local in
l. use the State cannot and will not apprc
priste public money TO repair il. 1t
=, absurd 10 either claim or expect the Sta
If will ever appropriate one dollar 10 reps
II the road. But II is said to give up Il
Il road 10 the county will increase take
"a This is hardly correct. It will ligh,e
: the burden OF some, those certainly vii
to now pay toll on this pike and their fu
a. share oi taxes for all other roads.
n. Toll ia collected 10 the amount Of 81
ne $4,000, on the whole road-47 miles Ion
st Ii requires $500 10 pay the Superintenda
and $I40O TO pay gate keepers, leaviI
7. about S2s00 to repair the road. or the b.
miles, 35 miles are IN Ssndusky coun
U. and therefore the part or proportion
money applicable for repairs in Sandusl
~ county would he sboni S2l0O.
y, The Grand Duplicate Of Sandusky cou
}" ty shows that we have fifteen millions
Ut dollars of property Tor taxation. In ord
en- to raise S2l00 The tax wonll I've less III,
49, II Of one mill on the dollar. The I,
- on 100 acres of land wonlh he about
'is cents. Justice aud honest dealing fair
,rs require that the people vl,o live aloI
al this turnpike aud are compelled to pay Il
,or in getting to marke, aud other necessa
" local travel should have their lands Who'll
NJ exempted from road tax. One burden
nix enough, but double burden il unjust ~
p- ought not TO be tolerated.