One of the lesser know early US highways is the 1758 Forbes Road which was built by British General John Forbes from Philadelphia to Fort Duquesne, present-day Pittsburgh. It measured 300 miles and helped open the west to settlement. Although primitive by today's standards, although this winter's potholes around the Chicagoland are turning our roads primitive, it was still a major accomplishement.
Some 7000 men helped build it. After the French Fort Duquesne was captured, the name was changed to Fort Pitt.
Laura Fisher, director of the French and Indian War 250 Inc is currently editing a book about the road which is going to be published in May.
For more info: www.forbestrail.org
Feb. 11th Pittsburgh Tribune-Review "Digital mappers rediscover Forbes Trail" by Allison M. Hendrichs.
Also, work is underway to use historical sources, computer programs, and mapping software to produce the first digital map of the road. Once computerized, it will be laid over current roads to be used as an aid to folks driving the road.
One More Road to Travel. --RoadDog
RoadDog's RoadLog Blog: Being my travels down those great two lane highways of this nation as well as news I learn about them from media sources. Since I'm also very interested in historic preservation, there will be a lot of that as well.
The Shamrock Court Motel in Sullivan, Missouri. It can be yours for $125,000. Lots of possibilities. Actually, now you're too late. Missouri's Roamin' Rich bought it.
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