The Old National Road

The Old National Road: A Chapter of American Expansion is a historical book written by Archer Butler Hulbert and first published in 1901. The book explores the history and significance of the National Road, which was the first federally funded highway in the United States. Hulbert begins by tracing the origins of the National Road, which was authorized by Congress in 1806 and built between 1811 and 1837. He describes the challenges faced by the road's builders, including difficult terrain, political opposition, and funding shortages. The bulk of the book focuses on the impact of the National Road on American expansion and development. Hulbert argues that the road played a crucial role in opening up the western frontier, facilitating trade and commerce, and connecting the disparate regions of the young nation. He also discusses the social and cultural changes brought about by the road, such as the spread of new ideas and the growth of towns and cities along its route. Throughout the book, Hulbert draws on a wealth of primary sources, including government reports, diaries, and letters, to provide a detailed and engaging account of the National Road's history. He also includes numerous maps and illustrations to help readers visualize the road and its surroundings. Overall, The Old National Road is a fascinating exploration of an important chapter in American history, and a must-read for anyone interested in the country's early development and expansion.This scarce antiquarian book is a facsimile reprint of the old original and may contain some imperfections such as library marks and notations. Because we believe this work is culturally important, we have made it available as part of our commitment for protecting, preserving, and promoting the world's literature in affordable, high quality, modern editions, that are true to their original work.