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''[[United States|United States]] [[Image:Gotoarrow.png]] [[United States Migration Internal|Migration]] [[Image:Gotoarrow.png]] [[US Migration Trails and Roads|Trails and Roads]] [[Image:Gotoarrow.png]] [[New York|New York]] [[Image:Gotoarrow.png]] [[Great_Genesee_Road|Great Genesee Road]]'' | ''[[United States|United States]] [[Image:Gotoarrow.png]] [[United States Migration Internal|Migration]] [[Image:Gotoarrow.png]] [[US Migration Trails and Roads|Trails and Roads]] [[Image:Gotoarrow.png]] [[New York|New York]] [[Image:Gotoarrow.png]] [[Great_Genesee_Road|Great Genesee Road]]'' | ||
[[Image:Great Genesee map.png|border|right|300px]]The '''Great Genesee Road''', | [[Image:Great Genesee map.png|border|right|300px]]The '''Great Genesee Road''', also known as Mohawk Trail, Iroquois Trail, Seneca Turnpike, and Great Indian Trail, was built by New York State to connect [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fort_Schuyler Fort Schuyler] (now [[Utica, New York]]) on the [[Mohawk Trail]] and Mohawk River with Canawaugus (now Caledonia), [[Livingston County, New York]] on the Genesee River in 1794. In 1798 the legislature authorized a road extension to [[Buffalo, New York]] on [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lake_Erie Lake Erie]. Another fork also went to [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fort_Niagara Fort Niagara] on the border with [[Canada]].<ref name="Rte5">Wikipedia contributors, "New York State Route 5" in ''Wikipedia: the Free Encyclopedia'' at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_York_State_Route_5 (accessed 28 June 2011).</ref> Each end of the Great Genesee Road connected to other important migration pathways. The length of the road from Utica to Buffalo was 205 miles (330 km). | ||
=== Historical Background === | === Historical Background === | ||
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However, the road construction was spotty and in places incomplete. In 1800 the legislature chartered the Seneca Road Company to charge tolls for improving the road. The road was [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Macadam macadamized] to reduce pot holes. High-quality, privately-controlled, toll roads were called turnpikes. This one was completed in 1808<ref name="SenTur">"Seneca Turnpike" in ''Clinton Historical Society'' at http://www.clintonhistory.org/A011.html (accessed 29 June 2011).</ref> and was called the "Seneca Turnpike," 157 miles (253 km) from Utica to Canandaigua, longest such road in New York. In 1805 the western extension to Buffalo was changed from a public road to a private turnpike. This "Ontario and Genesee Turnpike" was completed in 1813.<ref name="SenTur" /> In 1806 the Seneca Road Company began developing a more northerly alternate route to the Seneca Turnpike (Great Genesee Road) through Syracuse. In time this became the more popular route west.<ref name="Rte5" /> | However, the road construction was spotty and in places incomplete. In 1800 the legislature chartered the Seneca Road Company to charge tolls for improving the road. The road was [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Macadam macadamized] to reduce pot holes. High-quality, privately-controlled, toll roads were called turnpikes. This one was completed in 1808<ref name="SenTur">"Seneca Turnpike" in ''Clinton Historical Society'' at http://www.clintonhistory.org/A011.html (accessed 29 June 2011).</ref> and was called the "Seneca Turnpike," 157 miles (253 km) from Utica to Canandaigua, longest such road in New York. In 1805 the western extension to Buffalo was changed from a public road to a private turnpike. This "Ontario and Genesee Turnpike" was completed in 1813.<ref name="SenTur" /> In 1806 the Seneca Road Company began developing a more northerly alternate route to the Seneca Turnpike (Great Genesee Road) through Syracuse. In time this became the more popular route west.<ref name="Rte5" /> | ||
The completion of the [[Erie Canal]] in 1825 reduced traffic on the turnpikes. Later railroads also began to compete for traffic. Reduced revenue on the turnpikes made the road companies unprofitable. By 1852 the Seneca Road Company was dissolved and the turnpikes became public roads again.<ref name="Rte5" /> | The completion of the [[Erie Canal]] in 1825 reduced traffic on the turnpikes. Later railroads starting in the 1840s also began to compete for traffic. Reduced revenue on the turnpikes made the road companies unprofitable. By 1852 the Seneca Road Company was dissolved and the turnpikes became public roads again.<ref name="Rte5" /> | ||
=== Route === | === Route === | ||