Leave the highway behindTake the scenic route
From panoramas of the Allegheny Mountains to the epitome of organic architecture, from 18th-century taverns to luxury resorts, the Historic National Road offers the curious traveler an abundance of ways to rediscover America and explore our nation’s heritage from a new perspective. The history of the corridor is a story of the growth and development of a nation and its expansion westward.
Travel the National Road and discover the Road That Built America.
The National Road Heritage Corridor tells the story of the 90 miles of the Road that cut across the southwest corner of Pennsylvania, home to some of the most important, course-changing events of early America’s history and a timeline of many of our country’s social, industrial and cultural revolutions. Though earlier paths such as Nemacolin’s Trail and Braddock’s Road were significant overland routes, the National Road was the nation’s first federally-funded interstate highway, built with the vision of unifying a growing country.
Stretching over 600 Miles, The National Road takes you on a journey.
Beginning in Cumberland, Maryland and crossing six states, the Historic National Road stretches 600 miles westward past historic landmarks, mountain vistas, industrial towns, rich farmland, and pastures, to reach the Mississippi River and the Eads Bridge in East St. Louis, Illinois.
The history of the corridor is a story of the growth and development of a nation and its expansion westward.
The history of the corridor is a story of the growth and development of a nation and its expansion westward. Our National Scenic Byway All-American Road is a peaceful two lane highway through southwestern Pennsylvania, and through some of the most historically significant locations in our nation—locations with a story to tell and a lesson to be learned.
Today, the National Road Heritage Corridor hearkens back to the memories of our past and is a stunning gateway to the future.
The road is rich with outdoor recreation opportunities that attract adventure-seekers looking to paddle our rivers, pedal our trails, and hike our mountains. For those who enjoy the finer things in life, the road is home to Nemacolin Resort, a five-diamond resort destination featuring the finest accommodations, cuisine, and luxury. The story of the National Road Heritage Corridor is one that is constantly evolving and expanding. New businesses and attractions continue to open along the corridor telling a new story and creating a new journey through the hills and towns of southwestern Pennsylvania.
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Stagecoaches on the National Road weren’t just for passengers. Pete Burdine, one of the best and fastest drivers on the road was employed by the Good Intent Stage Company to transport oysters from Baltimore to Cincinnati in record time. It was reported in the November 28, 1835 edition of the Washington Reporter that, "Oysters are now carried from Baltimore to Cincinnati in five days, by the line recently established on the National Road for that purpose. This we believe is traveling more rapidly, or full as fast, as the United States Mail."
In 1843, Samuel Morse built a telegraph system from Washington, D.C., to Baltimore with Congress’s support. The first message, ‘What hath God wrought?’ was sent on May 24, 1844. Four years later, Washington, PA received its first telegraph line via the National Road.
Image Credit: The Washington Reporter, August 15, 1908
Miss Lucy Warren Long was the last tollgate keeper for the West Alexander Tollhouse, the last active tollhouse in Washington County. She passed away on June 5, 1926, at the age of 97.
Image credit: Washington County Historical Society