Historic Highway

Historic Highway. The Pleasant Hill Turnpike. , The main path through the center of Pleasant Hill is now a quiet walkway, but for more than a century it was part of the chief thoroughfare between Lexington and Harrodsburg. Between 1837 and 1839, the Shakers completed the two-and-a-half mile stretch of the turnpike that passed through Pleasant Hill., The turnpike gave the Shakers access to markets in the outside world, and it also allowed the world access to Pleasant Hill. The road brought returning Trade Deacons, visiting Shakers, and other travelers. It also brought bandits, angry mobs, and thousands of Federal and Confederate troops., In 1926, the turnpike became part of U.S. Highway 68. It was paved in the 1920s and remained a highway for automobiles until 1965 when the road was rerouted to allow guests to explore safely on foot., "About 4 P.M. an army of cavalry hove in sight from Harrodsburg and the street was soon filled with a dense column as far as the eye could see on both ends of the road.... Thus we are invaded from every public avenue to the village except the one towards Lexington...", - Journal of the East Family Deaconness, October 11, 1862 , Credit: Filson Historical Society, (Captions):, Background Image: Shakers and non-Shakers stand along the turnpike, with the 1815 Carpenters' Shop in the background. Note the signage listing the distance to Lexington and Harrodsburg. , c. Late 19th century , Credit: Courtesy, the Winterthur Library: The Edward Deming Andrews Memorial Shaker Collection, A wagon loaded with barrels stopped on the turnpike in the East end of the village. The turnpike greatly facilitated trade with the outside world upon its completion. , c. Late 19th century , Credit: Arthur Younger Ford (1861-1926) photograph albums, 1977.01.155, Photographic Archives, University of Louisville, Louisville, Kentucky, An unidentified man riding a mule that is dragging supplies along the turnpike. , c. Late 19th century , Credit: Arthur Younger Ford (1861-1926) photograph albums, 1977.01.128, Photographic Archives, University of Louisville, Louisville, Kentucky