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Great Genesee Road: Difference between revisions
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As westward expansion began after the American Revolution, the only central New York pathways west of [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fort_Schuyler Fort Schuyler] ([[Utica, New York]]) were rivers and a footpath called the [[Mohawk Trail]] or Iroquois Trail. The land companies which began developing large tracts of land for settlement started clamoring for the state to make better roads for their customers.<ref name="Rte5" /> | As westward expansion began after the American Revolution, the only central New York pathways west of [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fort_Schuyler Fort Schuyler] ([[Utica, New York]]) were rivers and a footpath called the [[Mohawk Trail]] or Iroquois Trail. The land companies which began developing large tracts of land for settlement started clamoring for the state to make better roads for their customers.<ref name="Rte5" /> | ||
In 1794 the state | In 1794 the state legislature authorized the Great Genesee Road from Fort Schuyler to Canawaugus to help settlers reach the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_Military_Tract New Military Tract]. This eight county tract was set aside to allow 500 acres of bounty land to pay each New York Revolutionary War veteran for his service. The new state road followed the route of the old Mohawk Trail. A state road extension to Buffalo was authorized four years later.<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 (six cents per mile) for improving the road. The road was [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Macadam macadamized] to reduce pot holes. High-quality, privately-maintained, 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 (six cents per mile) for improving the road. The road was [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Macadam macadamized] to reduce pot holes. High-quality, privately-maintained, 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 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 company's 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 company's turnpikes became public roads again.<ref name="Rte5" /> | ||
=== Route === | === Route === | ||