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'''Toll roads'''. Massachusetts and Rhode Island developed turnpike (toll) systems for wagon roads in the early 1800s including most of the route from Boston to Providence. The Norfolk and Bristol Turnpike in Massachusetts charged tolls from 1806 to 1856.<ref>Wood, map between 56 and 57, and 86-100.</ref> The Providence and Pawtucket Turnpike in Rhode Island was authorized in 1807 and the last toll houses were closed in 1869.<ref>Wood, map between 286 and 287, and 302-306.</ref> Most of these early pathways continue as roads today. Modern freeways usually parallel the older road systems. | '''Toll roads'''. Massachusetts and Rhode Island developed turnpike (toll) systems for wagon roads in the early 1800s including most of the route from Boston to Providence. The Norfolk and Bristol Turnpike in Massachusetts charged tolls from 1806 to 1856.<ref>Wood, map between 56 and 57, and 86-100.</ref> The Providence and Pawtucket Turnpike in Rhode Island was authorized in 1807 and the last toll houses were closed in 1869.<ref>Wood, map between 286 and 287, and 302-306.</ref> Most of these early pathways continue as roads today. Modern freeways usually parallel the older road systems. | ||
'''Decline'''. However, the use of early roads and turnpikes for moving settlers waned with the introduction of railroads. Settlers could travel faster, less expensively, and safer on railroads than on wagon roads. So, as railroads entered an area, the wagon-road traffic in that area declined. The first railroad from Boston to Providence opened in 1835.<ref>[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boston_and_Providence_Railroad Boston and Providence Railroad] in ''Wikipedia: the Free Encyclopedia'' (accessed 29 October 2014).</ref> Also, another important railroad from Boston reached Worcester in 1835,<ref>[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boston_and_Albany_Railroad Boston and Albany Railroad] in ''Wikipedia: the Free Encyclopedia'' (accessed 29 October 2014).</ref> and then reached to Providence, Rhode Island in 1847.<ref>Wood, 305.</ref> In 1863 a horse-rail line from Providence to Central Falls laid its tracks in part of the Providence - Pawtucket Turnpike and travelers on that horse-rail line had the experience of passing toll houses until they were closed six years later.<ref>Wood, 305-306.</ref> | '''Decline'''. However, the use of early roads and turnpikes for moving settlers waned with the introduction of railroads. Settlers could travel faster, less expensively, and safer on railroads than on wagon roads. So, as railroads entered an area, the wagon-road traffic in that area declined. The first railroad from Boston to Providence opened in 1835.<ref>[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boston_and_Providence_Railroad Boston and Providence Railroad] in ''Wikipedia: the Free Encyclopedia'' (accessed 29 October 2014).</ref> Also, another important railroad from Boston reached Worcester in 1835,<ref>[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boston_and_Albany_Railroad Boston and Albany Railroad] in ''Wikipedia: the Free Encyclopedia'' (accessed 29 October 2014).</ref> and then reached to Providence, Rhode Island in 1847.<ref>Wood, 305.</ref> In 1863 a horse-rail line from Providence to Central Falls laid its tracks in part of the Providence - Pawtucket Turnpike and travelers on that horse-rail line had the experience of passing turnpike toll houses until they were closed six years later.<ref>Wood, 305-306.</ref> | ||
=== Route === | === Route === | ||