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The Old Connecticut Path was used by members of the Massachusetts Bay Colony as early as 1630. In those first years Indians also carried corn from the Connecticut River Valley over the path to help supply starving colonists in Boston.<ref>[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Old_Connecticut_Path Old Connecticut Path].</ref> The route continued to attract settlements in the interior of Massachusetts and Connecticut because it provided access to markets for settler goods and services. Over time the route was shortened and straightened. A more direct road from Boston to Hartford (which skipped Springfield) also came to be called the '''Old Connecticut Path''', and also become the middle fork of the [[Boston Post Road]].<ref>[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Old_Connecticut_Path Old Connecticut Path].</ref> <ref>[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boston_Post_Road Boston Post Road].</ref> | The Old Connecticut Path was used by members of the Massachusetts Bay Colony as early as 1630. In those first years Indians also carried corn from the Connecticut River Valley over the path to help supply starving colonists in Boston.<ref>[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Old_Connecticut_Path Old Connecticut Path].</ref> The route continued to attract settlements in the interior of Massachusetts and Connecticut because it provided access to markets for settler goods and services. Over time the route was shortened and straightened. A more direct road from Boston to Hartford (which skipped Springfield) also came to be called the '''Old Connecticut Path''', and also become the middle fork of the [[Boston Post Road]].<ref>[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Old_Connecticut_Path Old Connecticut Path].</ref> <ref>[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boston_Post_Road Boston Post Road].</ref> | ||
Massachusetts and Connecticut developed turnpike (toll) systems for wagon roads in the early 1800s including part of the route from Boston to Springfield (Palmer to Warren "Massachusetts 1st Turnpike").<ref>Wood, map between 56 and 57, and 63-64.</ref> Likewise, most of the more direct Boston to Hartford route became a turnpike (Hartford and Dedham,<ref>Wood, map between 56 and 57, and 138-40.</ref> Centre,<ref>Wood, map between 330 and 331, and 396.</ref> and Hartford Tolland,<ref>Wood, map between 330 and 366-67.</ref> turnpikes). Most of these early pathways continue as roads today. Modern freeways usually parallel the older road systems. | Massachusetts and Connecticut developed turnpike (toll) systems for wagon roads in the early 1800s including part of the route from Boston to Springfield (Palmer to Warren "Massachusetts 1st Turnpike").<ref>Wood, map between 56 and 57, and 63-64.</ref> Likewise, most of the more direct Boston to Hartford route became a turnpike (Hartford and Dedham,<ref>Wood, map between 56 and 57, and 138-40.</ref> Centre,<ref>Wood, map between 330 and 331, and 396.</ref> and Hartford Tolland,<ref>Wood, map between 330 and 331, and 366-67.</ref> turnpikes). Most of these early pathways continue as roads today. Modern freeways usually parallel the older road systems. | ||
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 railroads in Massachusetts and Connecticut were built in the late 1830s. A rail line from Providence, Rhode Island reached Hartford, Connecticut and New York City about 1847.<ref>[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_York_and_New_England_Railroad#West_from_Providence:_1846-1863 New York and New England Railroad] in ''Wikipedia: the Free Encyclopedia'' (accessed 28 October 2014).</ref> | 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 railroads in Massachusetts and Connecticut were built in the late 1830s. A rail line from Providence, Rhode Island reached Hartford, Connecticut and New York City about 1847.<ref>[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_York_and_New_England_Railroad#West_from_Providence:_1846-1863 New York and New England Railroad] in ''Wikipedia: the Free Encyclopedia'' (accessed 28 October 2014).</ref> | ||
=== Route === | === Route === | ||