The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1930-05-15

who have motored over the National
Highway during the last year are a
negligible quantity in comparison
with the multitude of pioneers who
made this pike one of the most i'm
portant, historically and Economically,
in our country. The name National
is partly indicative Of the Importance
of this road, although the term "Na-
tional Pike" is misnomer inasmuch as
that was neither the official nor the
original name of the road.
The lack of good roads was dis
cussed frequently by our infant
Congress, but nothing was done about
it until 1906, when, under Jefferson,
an appropriation of $4,000 was made
for a preliminary survey for a road
from Cumberland, Nd, through the
Narrows and across the mountains to
the Ohio river at Wheeling, W. Va.
! This road was to be called the Cum
berland Road, and it is so designated
in all the official documents pertain
ing to it. In May, 1920, Congress
passed an act extending this road
from Wheeling through the States of
Ohio, Indiana and Illinois to point
on the left bank of the Mississippi
river at St. Louis. This road, plan
ned in 1806-and officially and correctly
known as the Cumberland Road, forms
the nucleus of the present National
Highway. The word National" affixed
itself to the name of this pike be-
cause it was planned, built and kept
in good repair by the National Gov
eminent. This Government support
continued until 1882, when it was de-
clared unconstitutional for tn e
National Government to sponsor this
type of "internal improvement" The
management and cost of upkeep was
then delegated to the States through
which the road passed.
For many years there was con-
siderable contention as to whether
Henry Clay or Albert Gallatin was the
originator of the idea for this high
way. Although Gallatin is now gen.
orally acclaimed, Clay was one of its
ablest and most conspicuous cham
pions. Even though the plans had
been made, appropriations set aside
and some of the work begun, the War
of 1872 and few antagonistic Gov
eminent officials nearly caused the
death of this project before it was
fairly started. A few friends, such
as Clay, did not come amiss.
From the time of it's opening in
1918 until the building of the railroads
west of the Allegheny mountains in
1852 the Cumberland Road was one of
the great channels over which passed
the bulk of the freight, mail and pas
senger transportation between the
Eastern and Western States. Taken
at it's face value, the construction of
such a road might be considered a
great economic step, but actually it
was of paramount political impor-
lance. AS a means of cementing the
feeling of union between the pioneers
of the West and the people of the At
lantic seaboard, this road was of in
estimable value. Gallatin said of the
Importance of this project: "No other
single operation within the power of
the Government can more effectively
tend to strengthen and perpetuate the
Union" Before the completion of the
road eight to ten days were required
in transporting mail from Baltimore
to Wheeling (about 27O miles). After
the completion fifty to fifty-six hours
were required to carry the mail that
distance. And, from a military view
point, highway of this type would be
great asset in time of war.
Those who are familiar with the
topography of Maryland know that
Cumberland is located in the western
part of the State, and may wonder,
therefore, how this road, which starts
lao miles inland, can be of value to
the tidewater communities. It must
be remembered that series of roads,
many in very poor condition, connect
ing Cumberland with Hagerstown,
Frederick, Ellicott City and Balti-
more were constructed and owned by
associations or individuals.
The road was established at sixty
feet in width from Cumberland to
Wheeling and from Wheeling to the
Mississippi at fifty feet. The surface
was macadamized and the rivers and
creeks were spanned by stone bridges.
Some of these are standing today as
monuments to the perfection of work.
manship Of those early surveyors and
as curses to the modern motorist be-
cause of their narrowness and difficult
angles. The distances were indicated
by triangular iron mile posts.
Over this old historic pike Presi-
dents-elect have ridden to their inau-
l