The National Road, Gateway to Ohio

The National Road served as one of the primary migration routes for thousands of settlers migrating west in early history the United States; it also represents one of first improved highways in the U.S., built by the Federal Government. In his article, "The National Road, Gateway to Ohio," Alan Smith reflects, "Genealogists can appreciate the date coincidence in many family migrations with the building of roads, railways, and canals. Suddenly we find entire families moving by leaps and bounds across America, instead of a few counties."