McHenry in Garrett 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 | — |
Photographed by J. J. Prats, August 25, 2007
1. The National Road Marker
“. . . 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
this page online
(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. This marker has been replaced by another marker nearby. It was located near 39° 33.696′ N, 79° 21.51′ W. Marker was in McHenry, Maryland, in Garrett County. It could be reached from the intersection of Visitors Center Drive and Garrett
Photographed by J. J. Prats, August 25, 2007
2. Entrance to Garrett County Visitors Center
Two markers at the Visitors Center in the Deep Creek Lake Recreation Area of the county, this one is on the right.
Regionally, this marker was in the Baltimore Metro Region and in Western Maryland. It was also in the American Mid-Atlantic, in Appalachia, and specifically in Northern Appalachia. Globally, it was in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it found itself in what was once one of the original Thirteen Colonies.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this location: An Attraction for Visitors (a few steps from this marker); a different marker also named The National Road (a few steps from this marker); Western Maryland (a few steps from this marker); Wisp Ski Resort (approx. half a mile away); African American History (approx. half a mile away); Deep Creek Volunteer Fire Company (approx. 0.6 miles away); In Honor and Remembrance (approx. 0.6 miles away);
Photographed by J. J. Prats, August 25, 2007
3. The Garrett County Visitors Center
Another marker is no longer nearby. Gettysburg Campaign (was a few steps from this marker but has been replaced with another marker now near it).
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. This one, however, is 13 miles south of the National Road, now U.S. 40.
Related marker. Click here for another marker that is related to this marker. This marker has been replaced with the linked marker. It has a slightly different set of subtitles.
Also see . . . Scenic Byway: Historic National Road. Visit Maryland website entry (Submitted on January 31, 2022, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.)
Credits. This page was last revised on October 27, 2023. It was originally submitted on August 26, 2007, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio. This page has been viewed 1,713 times since then and 17 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on August 26, 2007, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio.
