Grantsville in Garrett County, Maryland — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
The 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, travelers, 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, visit marylandnationalroad.org where you can download a free mobile app or stop by any Welcome Center or local visitor center to
this page online
[Captions:]
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.
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; Maryland National Road Association.
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° 41.81′ N, 79° 9.428′ W. Marker is in Grantsville, Maryland, in Garrett County. Marker is at the intersection of South Yoder Street (Maryland Route 495) and Main Street (Alternate U.S. 40) on South Yoder Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 168 Main Street, Grantsville MD 21536, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Leo J. Beachy (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Casselman Hotel (approx.
Credits. This page was last revised on March 24, 2024. It was originally submitted on May 26, 2019, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 270 times since then and 23 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on May 26, 2019, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.
