Cumberland in Allegany County, Maryland — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)

Where the Road Began

— The Road That Built The Nation —

Photographed by Devry Becker Jones (CC0), September 12, 2026

1. Where the Road Began Marker

Inscription.
You are standing at the starting point of this country's first federal road building project, the Cumberland or National Road. A vision of George Washington as a means to develop the continent and to unite the country, his idea was championed by Thomas Jefferson and authorized by congress in 1806. Actual construction work began in the summer of 1811. The adjacent monument was erected to commemorate the 2011 Bicentennial of the start of construction on the road at the Zero Mile Marker that you will find in the traffic island in the intersection before you. The flags surrounding the monument represent each state that the road traverses and the official U.S. flag of 1811.

Nestled in the Allegheny Mountains, Cumberland sat on the edge of the frontier in the early 19th century. Crossing the mountainous landscape was challenging. The eastern continental divide was a barrier for westward expansion and trade in the Ohio Valley. Still, daring pioneers pushed westward.

The initial route began before you on Greene Street and Braddock Road roughly following the original Nemacolin Trail and the route of General Braddock's 1755

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march to what became the City of Pittsburgh. This route was blazed and improved between 1750 and 1754 by Delaware Indian Chief Nemacolin, Thomas Cresap and George Washington. Near Brownsville, PA, the route diverged from "Braddock's Road" and headed west towards the Ohio River at Wheeling. Within Cumberland, the route of the National Road changed over time as the city developed and new roads were carved into the landscape. In 1833, the official route shifted to Mechanic Street to take advantage of the improved passage through the "Narrows."

"Easily first among the several through highways running west from the Atlantic seaboard, and ranking with the Santa Fe and Oregon Trails of the far west, is the Old National Road, which, though completed as a government project only from Cumberland, Maryland to Wheeling (then Virginia, now West Virginia) was connected up with the older pikes from Baltimore, Frederick and Hagerstown, and subsequently with the newer lines west of the Ohio river, making for all time the shortest and most natural way for road travel from tidewater at Chesapeake Bay to the junction of the Mississippi and Missouri
Photographed by Devry Becker Jones (CC0), September 12, 2026

2. Where the Road Began Marker
rivers at St. Louis, Missouri."
(Robert Bruce, 1916)

[Captions:]
Robert Bruce traveled the National Road in 1916, and produced a guidebook that included, "a series of detailed maps, showing topography and principal points of historic interest." His insight all those years ago continues to enlighten today's traveler on the historical significance of this great highway that for so many years ago was "a vital factor in the life, politics and industry of the country." Thank you, Mr. Bruce.

Erected by America's Byways.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Indigenous Peoples and Communities • Roads & Vehicles. In addition, it is included in the The Historic National Road series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1806.

Location. 39° 38.985′ N, 78° 45.888′ W. Marker is in Cumberland, Maryland, in Allegany County. It is at the intersection of Greene Street and Bridge Street, on the right when traveling south on Greene Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 36 Greene St, Cumberland MD 21502, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally,

Photographed by Jason Voigt, April 17, 2024

3. Where the Road Began Marker

Marker is located at Riverside Park next to the National Road Monument

this marker is in Western Maryland.

It is also in the American Mid-Atlantic,

in Appalachia,

and specifically in Northern Appalachia. Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds 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 marker: Riverside Park (here, next to this marker); Fort Cumberland Trail (here, next to this marker); National Road Monument (here, next to this marker); Headquarters of George Washington (a few steps from this marker); George Washington at Will’s Creek (a few steps from this marker); Col. Thomas Cresap (a few steps from this marker); Col. Joshua Fry (within shouting distance of this marker); The Old National Pike (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Cumberland.

Another marker is no longer nearby. Where the Road Began (has been replaced with this marker).

Credits. This page was last revised on September 13, 2026. It was originally submitted on September 13, 2026, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 6 times since then. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on September 13, 2026, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. 3. submitted on November 27, 2024, by Jason Voigt of Glen Carbon, Illinois.