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The Philadelphia and Lancaster Turnpike Road-1795, by Carl Rakeman, circa 1933.
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In this snowy scene a tavern owner welcomes an arriving carriage with passengers.

Credit: Courtesy of the Federal Highway Administration

In 1792, the Federalists persuaded the state of Pennsylvania to authorize the privately funded Philadelphia-Lancaster Turnpike Company, and soon created America's first broken-stone and gravel surfaced road built within formal plans and specifications. This turnpike had the desired effect of redirecting commerce from the rich, bread basket of central-western Pennsylvania toward the capital port city of Philadelphia, rather than to Baltimore, Maryland.

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