Wharton Township near Farmington in Fayette County, Pennsylvania — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
The National Road
Fort Necessity National Battlefield
— National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior —
This "National Road" connected east and west in the 1800s. George Washington proposed a route to join the western frontier to the eastern seaboard in the late 1700s. His idea was later promoted by Albert Gallatin, Secretary of the Treasury under Presidents Thomas Jefferson and James Madison—and Congress authorized the road in 1806.
Work started in 1811. While a privately funded road connected Baltimore with Cumberland, Maryland, this first federally funded highway tied Cumberland to Wheeling, Virginia, in 1818. By 1839 the road stretched more than 600 miles to Vandalia, Illinois. Although railroads eventually displaced it, the National Road's success set the stage for today's national highway system.
Erected by National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior.
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, the Former U.S. Presidents: #04 James Madison, and the The Historic National Road series lists. A significant historical year for this entry is 1806.
Location. 39° 49.076′ N, 79° 35.251′ W. Marker is near Farmington, Pennsylvania, in Fayette County. It is in Wharton Township. Marker can be reached
this page online
Other nearby markers. At least 5 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Mount Washington Tavern (here, next to this marker); Fort Necessity (a few steps from this marker); The Great Meadows (about 700 feet away, measured in a direct line); a different marker also named Fort Necessity (approx. ¼ mile away); Building Fort Necessity (approx. ¼ mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Farmington.
Photographed By J. J. Prats, April 11, 2006
3. A Conestoga Wagon, The "Tractor-Trailer" of the 19th Century
Photographed By J. J. Prats, April 11, 2006
4. Marker at the Conestoga Wagon Display
Searight-Shuman Memorial. In Memory of pioneer families of Western Pennsylvania. Hon. William Searight, Rachel Brownfield Searight and descendants, Captain Thomas Bowman Shuman, Jean Ramsey Searight Shuman and descendants, beloved daughter Jean Elizabeth Searight Shuman-Shipley. Erected by Mrs. Rachel Searight Shuman Shipley.
Photographed By Christopher Light, 2002
5. Historic Mile Marker
Located in the Mount Washington Tavern Museum, is this iron road marker originally located on the National Road nearby.
Credits. This page was last revised on February 7, 2023. It was originally submitted on May 8, 2006, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio. This page has been viewed 2,005 times since then and 58 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on July 13, 2020, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. 3, 4. submitted on May 8, 2006, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio. 5. submitted on March 31, 2008, by Christopher Light of Valparaiso, Indiana.
