Finding the unexpected in the everyday.
January 7, 1813 A little over eight months after construction on it had begun, a wooden bridge crossing the Schuylkill River in the Philadelphia neighborhood of Fairmount was officially opened. This bridge was built by Lewis Wernwag (1769-1843). This structure had a clear span of 340 feet and three inches (103.7 meters) and it became... Continue Reading →
January 24, 1809 The New Castle and Frenchtown Turnpike Company was chartered in Delaware to provide a needed trade and travel route in that region of the United States. The original commissioners selected to oversee this company were George Read, James Riddle, Kensey Johns, James McCalmont, and Jesse Higgins. This company was likewise chartered in... Continue Reading →
November 30, 1951 While not yet completed at the time, the New Jersey Turnpike (NJTP) was officially dedicated with a great deal of fanfare. The New York Times reported, “A major engineering feat, the new highway is an unimpeded route, without traffic lights, no cross roads, no lefthand turns and no grades over 3 percent.”... Continue Reading →
The Connecticut Turnpike was formally opened. Ribbon-cutting ceremonies for the new expressway were held in the morning at its western terminus in the town of Greenwich and then during the afternoon at the eastern end in the town of Killingly on the Rhode Island border. Abraham A. Ribicoff, Connecticut’s incumbent governor, took part in both... Continue Reading →
Transportation History 