National Road

From West Virginia (WV) Cyclopedia

The National Road, the first highway built by the United States Government, was completed from Cumberland, Maryland, to Wheeling, West Virginia in 1818. The primary purpose of the road was to connect Atlantic coast points with the waters of the Ohio River.

The road was routed via Comberland, Marland, to Wheeling, then west to Columbus, and was to have extended to St. Louis, but was never completed that far. The National Road played an important role in the development ot the territory northwest of the Ohio River. Until the building of the railroads, the National Road was the most important avenue of commerce over the mountains.

Much of the route of the National Road was apparently an ancient path used by Native Americans. The path was first revealed by the Delaware (Lenape (http://www.delawaretribeofindians.nsn.us/)) Indian, named Nemacolin, to the white explorer, Christopher Gist, in 1749. The trail first became known as Nemacolin's Path, later becoming known as Braddock's Road, then still later as the Cumberland Road or National Road.