Boonsboro in Washington County, Maryland — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
The National Road
The Road that Built the Nation
— The Historic National Road - The Road That Built The Nation —
“. . . so many happy people, restless in the midst of abundance.” —Alexis de Tocqueville, 1840.
Americans are an adventurous people. From past to present, they have used feet, horses, wagons, stagecoaches, canals, railroads, bicycles, automobiles, trucks and buses to “perpetually change their plans and abodes.”
Centuries ago, George Washington dreamed of a highway joining east and west. In 1806, Thomas Jefferson made that roadway a reality when he risked his Presidency by authorizing, “an Act to regulate the laying out and making [of] a road from Cumberland in the State of Maryland to the State of Ohio.”
The next generation built that “United States Road,” a thirty-foot wide, crushed stone thoroughfare that spanned rivers, traversed mountains and opened up America’s western frontier to the Mississippi. Merchants, traders and families from all over the world journeyed along this route in their quest to claim land, expand markets and form new lives.
Today, you can trace that same path along the Historic National Road. Discover the places, events and stories that shaped this nation. To have your own adventure, stop by any Welcome Center or local visitor center to speak to a travel counselor and pick up a Historic National Road map-guide.
(sidebar) Built in the early 1800s, a paved highway west was America’s first federal project. Much of the approximately 800 mile long National Road is still marked by historic milestones.
(photo caption) Are we there yet? These early 20th century travelers speak to all of us who at one time or another couldn’t wait to get out of the car. Today, we have the luxury of taking our modern interstates for granted. But who can’t relate to those faces?
Erected by America's Byways.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Roads & Vehicles. In addition, it is included in the Former U.S. Presidents: #03 Thomas Jefferson, and the The Historic National Road series lists. A significant historical year for this entry is 1840.
Location. 39° 30.582′ N, 77° 39.237′ W. Marker is in Boonsboro, Maryland, in Washington County. Marker is at the intersection of Old National Pike (Alternate U.S. 40) and Orchard Drive / Shafer Park Road, on the right when traveling east on Old National Pike. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Boonsboro MD 21713, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Gettysburg Campaign (here, next to this marker); Boonsboro (here, next to this marker); Cannon of Revolutionary War (about 700 feet away, measured in a direct line); Gravesite of William Boone (approx. 0.2 miles away); The Boys from Boonsboro District (approx. ¼ mile away); Washington Monument (approx. 0.4 miles away); Town of Boonsboro (approx. 0.4 miles away); Korean War Memorial (approx. ¾ mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Boonsboro.
More about this marker. The marker displays a picture of a family standing beside an early 20th Century car along the National Road. The marker also has a map showing the general path of the National Road from Baltimore to St. Louis.
Regarding The National Road. This is a standard informational marker often used along the National Road in Maryland and is duplicated at other locations.
Also see . . . National Road Museum. Town of Boonesboro website entry (Submitted on March 1, 2022, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.)
Credits. This page was last revised on March 24, 2024. It was originally submitted on July 29, 2007, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. This page has been viewed 1,755 times since then and 20 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on July 29, 2007, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. • J. J. Prats was the editor who published this page.