Near Uniontown in Fayette County, Pennsylvania — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Searight’s Tollhouse
Erected by Pennsylvania, 1835, to collect tolls on the old National Road. Administered by The Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission
Erected 1966 by Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Landmarks • Roads & Vehicles. In addition, it is included in the National Historic Landmarks, the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission, and the The Historic National Road series lists. A significant historical year for this entry is 1835.
Location. 39° 56.77′ N, 79° 47.566′ W. Marker is near Uniontown, Pennsylvania, in Fayette County. Marker is on National Pike (U.S. 40) west of Dearth Road, on the right when traveling east. Marker is in the Menallen area west of Uniontown. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Uniontown PA 15401, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 5 other markers are within 4 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Toll House (within shouting distance of this marker); America's First Iron Puddling Furnace (approx. 2.7 miles away); New Salem Veterans Memorial (approx. 2.9 miles away); Ernie Davis (approx. 3.1 miles away); Footedale Honor Roll (approx. 3.2 miles away).
More about this marker. This marker replaced an earlier marker entitled "Toll House" reading, "One of the six original toll houses on the Cumberland or National Road. It was built by the State after the road was turned over to it by the U.S. in 1835. The road was completed through this section in 1817–18."
Also see . . .
1. Searights Tollhouse, National Road. Wikipedia entry (Submitted on July 5, 2022, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.)
2. Searight's Tollhouse - Behind the Marker. Explore PA History website entry (Submitted on June 29, 2011, by Mike Wintermantel of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.)
3. The Old Pike. Project Gutenberg website entry:
A History Of The National Road, With Incidents, Accidents, And Anecdotes Thereon. by Thomas B. Searight, 1894. Searight's Toll House was named for local tavern keeper William Searight. Thomas Searight was his son. (Submitted on July 2, 2017, by Allen C. Browne of Silver Spring, Maryland.)
Additional commentary.
1. Rates of Toll on the Cumberland Road in Pennsylvania
(from the list of tolls posted at the tollhouse)
Every score of sheep, 6¢
Every score of Hogs, 6¢
Every score of Cattle, 12¢
Every Horse and Rider, 4¢
Every led or drove Horse, Mule or Ass, 3¢
Every sled or sleigh drawn by one horse or pair or oxen, 3¢
Every Dearborn, Sulky Chair or Chaise with one horse, 6¢
Every horse in addition, 3¢
Every Chariot, Coach, Coachee, Stage Phaeton or Chaise with two horses and four wheels, 12¢
Every Horse in addition, 3¢
Every other carriage of pleasure by whatever name it may be called, the same according to the number of wheels and horses drawing the same.
Every cart or wagon whose wheels do not exceed three inches in breadth, drawn by one horse or pair of oxen, 4¢
Every Horse in addition, 3¢
Every cart or wagon whose wheels exceed three inches and does not exceed four inches in breadth, for every horse or pair of oxen drawing the same, 4¢
Every cart or wagon whose wheels exceed four inches and do not exceed six inches in breadth for every horse or pair of oxen drawing the same, 3¢
Every cart or wagon whose wheels exceed six inches and do not exceed eight inches in breadth, for every horse or pair of oxen drawing the same, 2¢
All Carts and wagons whose wheels exceed eight inches in breadth, FREE
Any person refusing or neglecting to pay the toll, the fine of, $3.00
— Submitted April 16, 2006.
Credits. This page was last revised on July 5, 2022. It was originally submitted on April 16, 2006, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio. This page has been viewed 3,390 times since then and 79 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on April 16, 2006, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio. 5. submitted on April 18, 2011, by Mike Wintermantel of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. 6, 7, 8. submitted on June 28, 2017, by Allen C. Browne of Silver Spring, Maryland.