TRANSPORTATIONTRANSPORTATION

ROADSROADS

1795 Wilderness Road (trail blazed by 1795 Wilderness Road (trail blazed by Daniel Boone)Daniel Boone)

– – opened to covered wagons and opened to covered wagons and stagecoachesstagecoaches

KY to Knoxville, TN.KY to Knoxville, TN. 4 mph4 mph Travel difficult, about 12 people per coachTravel difficult, about 12 people per coach

Usually did some walking and riding to ease pain!Usually did some walking and riding to ease pain! Wagon – avg. 2 mphWagon – avg. 2 mph Coach – avg. 6-8 mphCoach – avg. 6-8 mph

Carried passengers, mail, packages, etc.Carried passengers, mail, packages, etc.

Map of Wilderness RoadMap of Wilderness Road

PHILADELPHIA-PHILADELPHIA-LANCASTER TURNPIKELANCASTER TURNPIKE

- privately built- privately built- First important turnpikeFirst important turnpike- 11stst broken-stone gravel surface in broken-stone gravel surface in

America built to formal plansAmerica built to formal plans- Opened up territory northwest of the Ohio Opened up territory northwest of the Ohio

RiverRiver- Provided cheap transportation between Provided cheap transportation between

the coast and the “bread basket”.the coast and the “bread basket”.

General InformationGeneral Information

Stimulated construction of short toll roadsStimulated construction of short toll roads By mid 1820s connected most major citiesBy mid 1820s connected most major cities

About 4,000 miles of turnpikes completed by 1821About 4,000 miles of turnpikes completed by 1821 Paved with crushed stones.Paved with crushed stones. Western traffic moved along the Frederick Western traffic moved along the Frederick

Turnpike to Cumberland, and then along the Turnpike to Cumberland, and then along the National Road to Wheeling on the Ohio River National Road to Wheeling on the Ohio River in 1818, and then to Columbus and the in 1818, and then to Columbus and the Northwest Territory and on to Vandalia, IL. By Northwest Territory and on to Vandalia, IL. By mid century mid century

Funding?Funding?

States’ righters blocked the spending of States’ righters blocked the spending of federal money on internal improvements.federal money on internal improvements.

Kept highways from crossing state linesKept highways from crossing state lines This really doesn’t change until the Federal This really doesn’t change until the Federal

Highways Act of 1916.Highways Act of 1916. Places that need the roads desperately Places that need the roads desperately

support government involvement, and those support government involvement, and those that didn’t (east coast) and had the least to that didn’t (east coast) and had the least to gain don’t want government involvement.gain don’t want government involvement.

NATIONAL NATIONAL ROAD/CUMBERLAND ROADROAD/CUMBERLAND ROAD

EXCEPTION – the National Road a/k/a Cumberland EXCEPTION – the National Road a/k/a Cumberland RoadRoad 1806 Jefferson signed a measure for a survey and 1806 Jefferson signed a measure for a survey and

construction of the road.construction of the road. Paved highwayPaved highway Major route westMajor route west MD to Ill. MD to Ill. Begun 1811, completed 1850sBegun 1811, completed 1850s By 1818 it ran from the Atlantic Coast to OhioBy 1818 it ran from the Atlantic Coast to Ohio B y 1838 to IllinoisB y 1838 to Illinois Federal and state $Federal and state $

Reduced transportation costs and opened up new marketsReduced transportation costs and opened up new markets 600 miles, road twenty feet wide, clearing of 80 feet.600 miles, road twenty feet wide, clearing of 80 feet.

National RoadNational Road

three major stagecoach lines which three major stagecoach lines which carried passengers carried passengers

estimated there was about one tavern estimated there was about one tavern every mile every mile Stagecoach taverns – for travelers with Stagecoach taverns – for travelers with

moneymoney Wagon stand – like a truck stop! Wagon stand – like a truck stop! Both provided food, lodging, drinkBoth provided food, lodging, drink

traffic was heavy throughout the day and traffic was heavy throughout the day and into the early evening into the early evening

two most common vehicles were the two most common vehicles were the stagecoach and the Conestoga wagon stagecoach and the Conestoga wagon

Stagecoach travel was designed with Stagecoach travel was designed with speed in mind. Stages would average 60 speed in mind. Stages would average 60 to 70 miles in one day. to 70 miles in one day.

Conestoga WagonConestoga Wagon

Conestoga wagon was the "tractor-Conestoga wagon was the "tractor-trailer" of the 19th Century trailer" of the 19th Century

designed to carry heavy freight both east designed to carry heavy freight both east and west over the Allegheny Mountains. and west over the Allegheny Mountains.

pulled by a team of six horses, averaged pulled by a team of six horses, averaged 15 miles a day. 15 miles a day.

Henry Clay’s American Henry Clay’s American SystemSystem

Based on protection and internal improvements – roads, canals Based on protection and internal improvements – roads, canals and other transportation needs. Proposed a protective tariff for and other transportation needs. Proposed a protective tariff for manufacturers, an improved market for farmers, and better manufacturers, an improved market for farmers, and better transportation for agricultural and industrial goods. transportation for agricultural and industrial goods.

Would pay for transportation improvements with money Would pay for transportation improvements with money from the tariff.from the tariff.

Hoped it would bring prosperity to all sections of the Hoped it would bring prosperity to all sections of the country and to the nation – economic independence from the rest country and to the nation – economic independence from the rest of the world.of the world.

Problem was resistance by state’s right people who didn’t Problem was resistance by state’s right people who didn’t want the federal government to interfere in their state even by want the federal government to interfere in their state even by spending money on internal improvements!spending money on internal improvements!

CANALSCANALS

Erie Canal – 1825Erie Canal – 1825 connected east to westconnected east to west stimulated growth and canal buildingstimulated growth and canal building lower food prices in the east and more settlement in lower food prices in the east and more settlement in

the westthe west 360 miles from Albany to Buffalo, NY360 miles from Albany to Buffalo, NY Reduced travel time from 20 days to 6 Reduced travel time from 20 days to 6 Reduced cost of moving a ton of freight from $100 to Reduced cost of moving a ton of freight from $100 to

$5$5 By 1837 – 3000 miles of waterwaysBy 1837 – 3000 miles of waterways

Canals in Ohio and Indiana, from north to south, through Canals in Ohio and Indiana, from north to south, through much of the Ohio River Valley.much of the Ohio River Valley.

Erie CanalErie Canal

effect of the Canal was immediate and dramatic and effect of the Canal was immediate and dramatic and settlers poured west settlers poured west

Within 15 years of the Canal's opening, New York was Within 15 years of the Canal's opening, New York was the busiest port in America, moving tonnages greater the busiest port in America, moving tonnages greater than Boston, Baltimore and New Orleans combined.than Boston, Baltimore and New Orleans combined.

Early 1820s – flatboats on riversEarly 1820s – flatboats on rivers Carried the bulk of goods to marketCarried the bulk of goods to market

3000 flatboats a year on the Ohio River3000 flatboats a year on the Ohio River Water travel was much more comfortableWater travel was much more comfortable

Basic and affordableBasic and affordable Named b/c of flat undersideNamed b/c of flat underside Large deckLarge deck Hard to steerHard to steer Could carry heavier loadsCould carry heavier loads

FlatboatsFlatboats

FlatboatsFlatboats

75 tons/day75 tons/day 50 miles/day downstream50 miles/day downstream Upstream – 10 miles/dayUpstream – 10 miles/day 1830’s – steamboats towed flatboats1830’s – steamboats towed flatboats

Later steamboats replaced flatboatsLater steamboats replaced flatboats

STEAMBOATSSTEAMBOATS

1807 – Fulton’s Clermont – faster and cheaper1807 – Fulton’s Clermont – faster and cheaper 1836 – 361 steamboats navigated western waters1836 – 361 steamboats navigated western waters steamboats brought two-way traffic to the rivers – could steamboats brought two-way traffic to the rivers – could

go upstream against the current.go upstream against the current. Villages at strategic locations evolved into commercial Villages at strategic locations evolved into commercial

centerscenters 1840s – shallow draft boats on river rather than in it.1840s – shallow draft boats on river rather than in it.

Traveled the far reaches of the Miss. RiverTraveled the far reaches of the Miss. River

flatboats still used a lotflatboats still used a lot

a 150-mile trip taking 32 hours at an average a 150-mile trip taking 32 hours at an average speed of about 5 miles-per-hour. speed of about 5 miles-per-hour.  Later improved to 20 mph Later improved to 20 mph

1811 - passenger and freight route on the 1811 - passenger and freight route on the lower Mississippi River. lower Mississippi River.

Safer, easier, relatively safe Safer, easier, relatively safe Whole families could travel together, rather than Whole families could travel together, rather than

send father ahead and family join him later.send father ahead and family join him later.

Picture!Picture!

OVERLAND TRAILSOVERLAND TRAILS

Santa Fe Trail 1820’s – 30’sSanta Fe Trail 1820’s – 30’s thousand mile trail from St. Louis to Santa Fethousand mile trail from St. Louis to Santa Fe begun by traders who braved deserts, mountains, and begun by traders who braved deserts, mountains, and

Indian attackIndian attack soon had so much traffic that Mexican traders started soon had so much traffic that Mexican traders started

leading caravans east to Missouri and the peso leading caravans east to Missouri and the peso became the main medium of exchange in Missouri.became the main medium of exchange in Missouri.

Pioneers showed that wagons could cross the plains Pioneers showed that wagons could cross the plains and mountains and developed a new technique of and mountains and developed a new technique of organized caravans for common protection.organized caravans for common protection.

8 week journey 8 week journey experienced dust, mud, gnats, experienced dust, mud, gnats,

mosquitoes, and heat occasional swollen mosquitoes, and heat occasional swollen streams, wildfires, hailstorms, strong streams, wildfires, hailstorms, strong winds, or blizzards could imperil wagon winds, or blizzards could imperil wagon trains. trains.

OREGON TRAILOREGON TRAIL

Oregon Trail (Overland Trail)Oregon Trail (Overland Trail) people bound for Oregon and Californiapeople bound for Oregon and California didn’t travel in big caravans like on the Santa Fe Trail – most traveled in family groups and didn’t travel in big caravans like on the Santa Fe Trail – most traveled in family groups and

came from all over the UScame from all over the US trail went from Independence, MO. Along the North Platte River into what is now Wyoming, trail went from Independence, MO. Along the North Platte River into what is now Wyoming,

through South Pass down to Fort Bridger, then down the Snake River to the Columbia River through South Pass down to Fort Bridger, then down the Snake River to the Columbia River and along the Columbia to the Willamette Valley in Oregon.and along the Columbia to the Willamette Valley in Oregon.

2000 mile trip, 6 months, usually left in late spring (up to a year by boat until 1854 – Flying 2000 mile trip, 6 months, usually left in late spring (up to a year by boat until 1854 – Flying Cloud - 3 months)Cloud - 3 months)

wagon train averaged 12-15 miles/daywagon train averaged 12-15 miles/day ox-drawn, canvas covered wagons, called “prairie schooners”ox-drawn, canvas covered wagons, called “prairie schooners” about 5000 people/year went (1845)about 5000 people/year went (1845) by 1850, about 55,000/yearby 1850, about 55,000/year

rarely attacked by Indiansrarely attacked by Indians many never saw an Indianmany never saw an Indian By 1850 more problems b/c more settlersBy 1850 more problems b/c more settlers

Few were adequately preparedFew were adequately prepared Sickness/deathSickness/death Chores/hard laborChores/hard labor Division of labor changed – women took on more tasks associated with men – gathering buffalo dung for Division of labor changed – women took on more tasks associated with men – gathering buffalo dung for

fuel, helping get wagons unstuck, making bridges, etc.fuel, helping get wagons unstuck, making bridges, etc.

Expense?Expense?

the fare for a sea journey to Oregon was the fare for a sea journey to Oregon was quite expensive--few pioneer families quite expensive--few pioneer families could afford itcould afford it

most Oregon-bound pioneers came from most Oregon-bound pioneers came from the central states--far from any sea port. the central states--far from any sea port.

the sea journey often took up to full the sea journey often took up to full year--versus 4-6 months by wagon. year--versus 4-6 months by wagon.

Ferry crossings – avg. $16Ferry crossings – avg. $16

Supplies?Supplies?

should provide himself with, at least, 200 should provide himself with, at least, 200 pounds of flour, 150 pounds of bacon; ten pounds of flour, 150 pounds of bacon; ten pounds of coffee; twenty pounds of sugar; pounds of coffee; twenty pounds of sugar; and ten pounds of salt."and ten pounds of salt."

family of four would need over a thousand family of four would need over a thousand pounds of food to sustain them on the 2000 pounds of food to sustain them on the 2000 mile journey to Oregon. The only practical way mile journey to Oregon. The only practical way to haul that much food was a wagon. to haul that much food was a wagon.

For every person on a wagon train, an For every person on a wagon train, an estimated 11 animals accompanied themestimated 11 animals accompanied them Oxen, mules, horses, cattle, sheepOxen, mules, horses, cattle, sheep

Wagons?Wagons?

Huge Conestoga wagons were never used by Huge Conestoga wagons were never used by the pioneers--they were just too unwieldy. the pioneers--they were just too unwieldy.

used small farm wagons used small farm wagons wagon box measured only four feet by ten feet wagon box measured only four feet by ten feet loaded them to the brim with food, farm loaded them to the brim with food, farm

implements and furniture--often over a ton of implements and furniture--often over a ton of cargo. cargo.

toolbox on the side, a water barrel, and most toolbox on the side, a water barrel, and most importantly, hardwood brakes. importantly, hardwood brakes.

Early RailroadsEarly Railroads

Early railroads riskyEarly railroads risky Iron straps on wooden rails, worked loose and curled Iron straps on wooden rails, worked loose and curled

up, pierced railroad coachesup, pierced railroad coaches

Wood for fuel – sparks caused fires, damaged Wood for fuel – sparks caused fires, damaged clothingclothing

Jerky, bumpy, wearying – water was the most Jerky, bumpy, wearying – water was the most comfortable way to travel.comfortable way to travel.

Railroads were economical, fast and reliableRailroads were economical, fast and reliable 10 mph average10 mph average Twice as fast a stage coachTwice as fast a stage coach Four times as fast a waterFour times as fast a water

RAILROADSRAILROADS

late 1820s – cheaper to build than canals (1/3 the cost)late 1820s – cheaper to build than canals (1/3 the cost) early safety problemsearly safety problems 1830s competing with canals1830s competing with canals 11stst regular service was B & O Railroad - 1828 regular service was B & O Railroad - 1828 Quickly changed towns like Cleveland, Cincinnati, Detroit, Chicago into booming Quickly changed towns like Cleveland, Cincinnati, Detroit, Chicago into booming

commercial centerscommercial centers 1840s and 1850s – railroad building, especially in the Northeast1840s and 1850s – railroad building, especially in the Northeast

Cheap and rapid transportation promoted western agriculture by linking Il and Io to Cheap and rapid transportation promoted western agriculture by linking Il and Io to northeastnortheast

Strategic advantage to civil warStrategic advantage to civil war 1867 NY Central Railroad – NY to Chicago1867 NY Central Railroad – NY to Chicago

4500 miles of track4500 miles of track Baltimore, Ohio and Penn. Railroad – connected eastern ports with Chicago and Baltimore, Ohio and Penn. Railroad – connected eastern ports with Chicago and

MidwestMidwest May 10, 1869 Promontory Point, Utah – transcontinental railroad completed.May 10, 1869 Promontory Point, Utah – transcontinental railroad completed. 1883 – Atchison, Topeka and Sante Fe Railroad – carried between Kansas City 1883 – Atchison, Topeka and Sante Fe Railroad – carried between Kansas City

and CA.and CA. North Pacific – MN to WashingtonNorth Pacific – MN to Washington

Transcontinental RailroadTranscontinental Railroad

Promontory, Utah, on May 10, 1869, as Promontory, Utah, on May 10, 1869, as the Union Pacific tracks joined those of the Union Pacific tracks joined those of the Central Pacific Railroad. the Central Pacific Railroad.

Expense? Dangers? Expense? Dangers? Time?Time?

Omaha to CaliforniaOmaha to California 11stst class $111.00 class $111.00 22ndnd class $80.00 class $80.00 33rdrd class $40 class $40

Dangers: washouts, buffalo, train Dangers: washouts, buffalo, train robberies, Indiansrobberies, Indians

Time? 4 days, 4 hours, 40 minutesTime? 4 days, 4 hours, 40 minutes

OCEAN TRAVELOCEAN TRAVEL

early 1800s regular service weekly from NY to early 1800s regular service weekly from NY to LiverpoolLiverpool

1845 – 52 transatlantic shipping lines in NYC 1845 – 52 transatlantic shipping lines in NYC with 3 sailings a weekwith 3 sailings a week

1845 – first clipper ship (Rainbow) – doubled 1845 – first clipper ship (Rainbow) – doubled the speedthe speed Built for speed, sleek construction, fast but lacked Built for speed, sleek construction, fast but lacked

cargo space.cargo space. 1854 – Flying Cloud – 89 days, 8 hours from 1854 – Flying Cloud – 89 days, 8 hours from

NY to San FranciscoNY to San Francisco

Flying Cloud – Clipper Flying Cloud – Clipper ShipShip

Expense?Expense?

Steamship from NY to California (1862)Steamship from NY to California (1862) 300.00300.00 Via Panama (overland)Via Panama (overland)