73,385
edits
t
(Ancram Trnpk) |
(t) |
||
| Line 5: | Line 5: | ||
=== Background History === | === Background History === | ||
The '''Catskill Turnpike''' was an important early route for New England emigrants headed to western New York and beyond. By 1800 stagecoach lines from Hartford, Connecticut (on the Greenwood Road) and Springfield, Massachusetts (on the Catskill Road | The '''Catskill Turnpike''' was an important early route for New England emigrants headed to western New York and beyond. By 1800 stagecoach lines from Hartford, Connecticut (on the Greenwood Road) and Springfield, Massachusetts (on the Catskill Road, later Ancram Turnpike<ref name="Ancr">"Map and Timeline: 1800 to 2020 (and Beyond)" in Susquehanna Turnpike.org at http://www.susquehannaturnpike.net/15901.html (accessed 28 December 2011).</ref>) were bringing travelers to the Hudson River Valley. From 1804 to 1824 about 300,000 mostly New Englanders settled in the counties along the Catskill Turnpike and its extensions.<ref name="Gall">Lyman H. Gallagher, "The Catskill Turnpike in Stage Coach and Tavern Days," ''Crooked Lake Review'' (Fall 2005) at http://www.crookedlakereview.com/articles/136_167/137fall2005/137palmer2.html (accessed 28 December 2011).</ref> | ||
In 1800 the New York legislature commissioned turnpikes (toll roads), inspectors, mail, and stagecoach service from the Hudson River to the Susquehanna River. Tolls were to be collected at gates every ten miles. Once stagecoach service began, inns were soon established every few miles to provide the beverages, food, and lodging needed for people and animals.<ref name="Gall" /> | In 1800 the New York legislature commissioned turnpikes (toll roads), inspectors, mail, and stagecoach service from the Hudson River to the Susquehanna River. Tolls were to be collected at gates every ten miles. Once stagecoach service began, inns were soon established every few miles to provide the beverages, food, and lodging needed for people and animals.<ref name="Gall" /> | ||
| Line 13: | Line 13: | ||
Stagecoaches usually took four days and nights to drive from Ithaca to Catskill. This service continued year around even in the snow. Some years the traffic was so heavy two passenger coaches were hitched together followed by a baggage wagon. Before the railroads, cattle drovers also used the turnpike to take their herds to market usually in Dutchess County.<ref name="Gall" /> | Stagecoaches usually took four days and nights to drive from Ithaca to Catskill. This service continued year around even in the snow. Some years the traffic was so heavy two passenger coaches were hitched together followed by a baggage wagon. Before the railroads, cattle drovers also used the turnpike to take their herds to market usually in Dutchess County.<ref name="Gall" /> | ||
Soon after it was built the turnpike began to turn a profit. It was most prosperous from 1820 to 1830. Competition from railroads and the Erie Canal was responsible for a decline in turnpike traffic and revenues after 1830. The western parts of the road were abandoned by the stock company, and the number of toll gates in Greene County was gradually reduced from ten in 1830, to five in 1842, and three in 1884.<ref>J. G. Beers, "The Susquehanna Turnpike" (1884) appearing in Susquehanna Turnpike.org at http://www.susquehannaturnpike.net/15301/index.html (accessed 28 December 2011).</ref> Stagecoach service was discontinued in 1850 when the Erie Railroad built through to Owego.<ref>Morgan, 14.</ref> | Soon after it was built the turnpike began to turn a profit. It was most prosperous from 1820 to 1830. Competition from railroads and the Erie Canal was responsible for a decline in turnpike traffic and revenues after 1830. The western parts of the road were abandoned by the stock company, and the number of toll gates in Greene County was gradually reduced from ten in 1830, to five in 1842, and three in 1884.<ref>J. G. Beers, "The Susquehanna Turnpike" (1884) appearing in Susquehanna Turnpike.org at http://www.susquehannaturnpike.net/15301/index.html (accessed 28 December 2011).</ref> Stagecoach service was discontinued in 1850 when the Erie Railroad built through to Owego.<ref>Morgan, 14.</ref> | ||
=== Route === | === Route === | ||
| Line 36: | Line 36: | ||
The migration pathways connected at the east end of the '''Catskill Turnpike''' in [[Catskill, New York]] included: | The migration pathways connected at the east end of the '''Catskill Turnpike''' in [[Catskill, New York]] included: | ||
:*[[Catskill Road or Ancram Turnpike]]<ref | :*[[Catskill Road or Ancram Turnpike]]<ref name="Ancr" /> | ||
:*[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hudson_River Hudson River] a navigable river stretching from north of [[Albany, New York|Albany]] then flowing south to empty into the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Atlantic_Ocean Atlantic Ocean] at [[New York City, New York|New York City]] | :*[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hudson_River Hudson River] a navigable river stretching from north of [[Albany, New York|Albany]] then flowing south to empty into the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Atlantic_Ocean Atlantic Ocean] at [[New York City, New York|New York City]] | ||