US 40 - The National Road

If there is a highway that can capture the early pioneer spirit of this nation, it is the National Road. America's Original Interstate Highway, generations of Americans have followed parts of what now is US 40 on their sojourns west. From early Indian paths to a federally funded route to the west, to a toll horse and wagon route, and finally into the automobile era, the National Road has served not only as a method of travel. It is also a source of history, commerce, recreation, and exploration.

An old segment of US 40 and the National Road in West Alexandria, PA

This site explores the history, the lure, and the features of this route through Maryland, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, and Ohio. The essay is a compilation of photos, research, and information by myself and others interested in exploring and sharing the splendor of this highway. I am honored to include their fine efforts on this site. If you wish to contribute to this site or have comments or links I can add, please contact me at aprince27@gmail.com.

Maryland:

Pennsylvania:

West Virginia:

Ohio:

Illinois:

Vandalia

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Cajon Pass; Cajon Pass Toll Road, National Old Trails Road, US Route 66/91/395 and Interstate 15

This past weekend I spent some time in Cajon Pass traversing the many historic road alignments. Cajon Pass is located in San Bernardino County, California along the San Andreas Fault. Cajon Pass serves the boundary line between the Mojave Desert, the San Gabriel Mountains, San Bernardino Mountains and San Bernardino Valley. Cajon Pass is historically one of the most traveled transportation corridors in American California and presently is served by four rail lines, Interstate 15 and California State Route 138. While Cajon Pass is known mostly for carrying US Route 66 it has carried numerous other signed highways that have had a significant impact on regional and national road travel. While this is my best attempt to compile everything from the best sources I could find into one single transportation history blog regarding road travel in Cajon Pass I suspect as time goes on this article will be frequently updated. If you have any information that you ...

Pardee Dam Road

Pardee Dam is a 358-foot-high concrete structure located near Campo Seco at the Calaveras County and Amador County Line. Pardee Dam impounds the Mokelumne River which forms the namesake Pardee Reservoir. Pardee Dam was completed during 1929 and is part of the East Bay Municipal Utility District. Pardee Dam is accessed by the namesake Pardee Dam Road which crosses the structure via the one-lane road seen as the blog cover photo. Part 1; the history of Pardee Dam Road The closest community to Pardee Dam is that of Campo Seco on the Calaveras County side of the Mokelumne River. Campo Seco was founded in 1850 by Mexican Miners who worked placer claims in Oregon Gulch during the height of the California Gold Rush. Campo Seco would reach a population of about three hundred by 1860 spurred by the numerous mining claims in the area. Main Street of Campo Seco flowed directly into the Campo Seco Turnpike which had been authorized by the California L...

The last 1956-63 era California Sign State Route Spade?

Along southbound California State Route 170 (the Hollywood Freeway Extension) approaching the Hollywood Freeway/Ventura Freeway interchange a white California State Route 134 Sign State Route Spade can be observed on guide sign. These white spades were specifically used during the 1956-63 era and have become increasingly rare. This blog is intended to serve as a brief history of the Sign State Route Spade. We also ask you as the reader, is this last 1956-63 era Sign State Route Spade or do you know of others? Part 1; the history of the California Sign State Route Spade Prior to the Sign State Route System, the US Route System and the Auto Trails were the only highways in California signed with reassurance markers. The creation of the US Route System by the American Association of State Highway Officials during November 1926 brought a system of standardized reassurance shields to major highways in California. Early efforts to create a Sign State Route ...

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