National Road Heritage Corridor
The
National Road Heritage Corridor traverses the 90-mile stretch of
the Historic National Road in Pennsylvania. The first federally
funded road in the United States, a portion of which is currently
known as Route 40, this corridor celebrates the history and heritage
of the southwest corner of the region. The "road" tells
the story of four distinct historic eras: Early Trails & Military
Roads (pre-1800: Nemacolin's Trail and Mingo's Path), Construction
of the National Road (1806-1835), Toll Road Era (1836-1900) the
road is turned over to individual states, and the Automobile Era
(1900s), when automobile touring becomes a popular pastime.
A
visit to Fort Necessity National Battlefield will take you back
to the site of the first battle of the French & Indian War,
where a young army colonel named George Washington commanded troops.
While you're in the park, visit Washington's Tavern, one of 48 standing
tavern and inn structures along the "road" dating back
to the early 1800s. Many of these are still in operation today as
restaurants and bed and breakfast facilities.
It was the National Road that opened up land west of the Alleghenies and allowed a budding nation to expand its boundaries into the new territories. In 1806 ,President Thomas Jefferson signed the Act to construct this first federally funded highway, with strong urging of Albert Gallatin, Secretary of the Treasury and the "father" of the National Road. The Historic National Road began in Cumberland, Maryland and construction ceased when it reached Vandalia, Illinois. Here in Pennsylvania, the Petersburg and Searight's Toll Houses, the stone "S" bridge and the obelisk shaped milemarkers (every mile for the entire 90 miles) provide a glimpse back to those prosperous National Pike days.
If you like the small town charm of yesteryear, visit the historic districts of Uniontown, Brownsville and Washington. Other small communities (pike towns of the past) include Addison, Beallsville, Centerville, Claysville, Hopwood, Scenery Hill and West Alexandria. While you're in Brownsville, visit the restored Flatiron Building to learn more about the National Road and the Rivers of Steel Heritage Areas and don't miss Nemacolin Castle overlooking the Monongahela River. You'll want to visit Scenery Hill for some wonderful antique shopping and some refreshments at one of the "road's" longest continuously operated taverns.
Be sure to mark your calendar for a return trip for the annual National Road Festival held every year on the third weekend in May. You won't want to miss the festivities or the wagon train as it comes into town. It's quite a sight to see.
So...take your time...take a drive...and enjoy the Historic National Road!
Heritage Park Description
U.S. Route 40 as it runs through Somerset, Fayette and Washington counties is the spine of the National Road Heritage Corridor and the focal point of an effort to preserve, enhance and promote the transportation heritage of the first public works project funded by the federal government.
Size: 90 miles long
Counties: Fayette, Somerset, Washington
Population: 431,564
Municipalities:
Major Highways:
Key Communities:
Major Attractions:
Welcome Centers:
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Milestones
- 1991 – National Road State Heritage Park Feasibility Study
- September 1994 – National Road designated a State Heritage Park
- 1996 – Designated a state scenic by-way
- 2001 – Designated a National Scenic Byway – All-American Road
- Preservation and restoration of the Addison (Petersburg) and Searights Toll Houses
- Stabilization and Restoration of the “S” Bridge, Buffalo Township
- Refurbishment of Nemacolin Castle
- Restoration of 90-miles of historic, obelisk, National Road markers
Heritage Park Organization
National Road Heritage Corridor
65 West Main Street
Second Floor
Uniontown, PA 15401
(724) 437-9877
Fax: (724) 437-6550
Email: info@nationalroadpa.org
Web: www.nationalroadpa.org
Contact: Donna Holdorf
Title: Executive Director
Organization Type: non-profit
Mission/Purpose: The National Road Heritage Corridor envisions a region where communities proudly welcome visitors to share their traditions and resources. Where the story of the "road" is told at information centers, explained at interpretive centers and lived at many interpretive sites. It envisions a corridor that will draw people to learn, to enjoy and a place in which to stay. Finally, it envisions the story of the National Road in Pennsylvania as an important part of the story of America...its movement, its growth, its development. It is a story of the past, for the present and for the future.
Staff and Volunteers: Eight
Involved Organizations
Additional Project Supporters
- Southwestern Pennsylvania Heritage Preservation Commission
- Eberly Foundation
- National City Bank of Pennsylvania
- DCNR
- Westsylvania
- Community Foundation of Fayette County
Tourist Promotion Agencies (TPAs) within the Region
- Laurel Highlands: (724) 238-5661
- Washington County: (724) 228-5520
Pennsylvania's Heritage Regions
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