The National Road was the first federally-funded interstate highway. Construction began in Cumberland, Maryland in 1811 and wound its way west to Vandalia, Illinois in 1834. Before the railroads arrived it was an important route to the western parts of the country. The road became popular again with the rise of the automobile in the 1920s. In 1926 the National Road became part of US-40 and stretched from coast-to-coast. The interstate system pretty much killed the popularity of US-40 beginning in the 1960s.
This part of the National Road east of Cambridge cuts off from US-40 and is now named Peacock Rd. It was paved with bricks in 1918 to speed up World War I shipments.
Interesting! I live just off of Rt. 40, and for me, it's almost always the road home from anywhere. I love hearing about the history of it.
Posted by: Dane | 27 April 2009 at 09:19 PM
Is that Broad St. in Columbus? There must still be a bunch of old motels and signs along the road, right?
Posted by: Joe | 28 April 2009 at 11:00 PM
On the west side of town, it's Broad; on the east, it's Main. And oh yes, there are! Just not so many anymore.
Posted by: Dane | 29 April 2009 at 01:43 PM
Ha, I remember a little bit about Columbus. Though mostly I stuck to trips down High St. to the Out-R-Inn.
Posted by: Joe | 29 April 2009 at 07:29 PM