Misc:  Toll House article from the Heritage Press, Allegany County, Maryland

File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by Connie Beachy.

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This is from an old issue of the Heritage Press, which went out of
business after only one year:

In 1806, Pres. Thomas Jefferson signed a bill for construction of a
National Road.  From Cumberland, Md., in 1811, it reached Wheeling, WV,
in 1818l  It was later extended to St. Louis, Mo.  The National Road,
now Route 40, included the road planned by Col. Thomas Cresap,
Christopher Gist and Nemacolin, in 1749.
No toll charge, on this road, was made until 1831 and not more than 2
toll gates were authorized in Md.  The only Too House yet standing in
this state was built in 1833, a few miles through the Narrows west of
Cumberland on the National Road.  It was palced on the National Register
in 1972. 
Coaches for travelers began around 1815.  Troy and Concord Coaches were
called "Post" coaches because they carried the U.S. Mail.  The first
coach from Philadelphia, Pa, by James Reside, in 1829 for Pres. Andrew
Jackson, to ride from Cumberland, Md. to Washington, DC.  Charles Howell
was the driver.  He said "The vichicle was the finest he had ever seen."
Relays changed horses every 10 to 12 miles, for their speed was 6 to 7
miles an hour.  Other Presidents travelling through here on thier way to
their inauguration were Harrison, Tyler, and Polk.  Stagecoach hotels
were "upper crust."  They charged passengers 50 cents a meal.  Samuel
Luman and Genrad Fisher were two of the early local stagecoach drivers. 
Approximately 100 persons a day traveled west during the season. 
The Toll Road was under State control from 1835 to 1905.  The National
Road was the only highway west until 1853.  It enjoyed full sway in
transportation until 1842 when the B & O RR reached Cumberland.  In
1850, the C&O Canal reached Cumberland bringing in another source of
transportation, for passangers as well as freight.  All of this activity
increased business on the Toll Road. 
David T. Shriver was appointed Superintendent of the National Road in
1822 at a $500 salary.  Tolls from a low 2 cent charge to a high one of
12 cents for various vehicles were charged.  When the Toll House was no
longer used as such, it was used as a dwelling and changed hands several
times.  Finally, it was to be demolished.  When this was learned, the
State of Md. purchased it in 1958 and placed it in the custody of the
Allegany Historical Society.  Cresap Chapter DAR assumed responsibility
for it and took over the maintenance of the inside of the building until
1965, at which time the LaVale Century Club assumed responsibility for
aperation of the Toll House, with the Historical Society retaining
custody.  Through teh efforts of the Century Club the complete
restoration of the Toll House was done by the Md. Historical Trust for
ths state owned property.  It was recently placed on the National
Register.
Citizens of the area and those of the State of Md. owe the women of the
Century Club a vote of thanks for their superior efforts in preserving
one of our landmarks.  


This file is located at:
http://files.usgwarchives.net/md/allegany/history/local/tollhouse2.txt