Road Paving
The history of road paving in the United States traces the development of the highway system as it has changed and expanded throughout the years. In its earliest days, roads consisted of dirt and gravel, or even tree stumps. These were rarely wide enough for horses and wagons. However, man and his horse needed to travel to hunting and fishing areas, and the ability to travel long distances quickly on his wagon was essential.
Roads Paving became organized networks of paths, providing the ability to move heavy loads and large quantities of goods to markets. As the population increased and the need for trade and commerce grew, a need for more reliable transportation became evident. Ultimately, the United States road system evolved into a complex network of physical structures and bridges. This system has grown to a size that accommodates the needs of millions of Americans.
Although the United States road system is vast, it is still largely dependent on human ingenuity. Ancient road systems were used by the ancient natives of North America. Many of these roads were resurfaced many times over the centuries.
The History of Road Paving in the United States
When cars first began to replace horse and wagons in the early 1900s, an interest in road paving began to develop. Several factors influenced this interest: public policies, technological advances, and the availability of resources.
Car owners began to demand that roads be paved in order to avoid the hassles of driving in snow. As a result, a gas tax was imposed by the states. By 1923, 33 states had imposed a tax on the sale of gasoline. This tax was then converted into a dedicated trust fund for the construction of roads.
Toward the end of the century, the federal government was also involved in the construction of roads. They constructed roads for the development of the interior lands of the United States. Additionally, the federal government built roads to support national postal services and to defend remote territories.
Another important source of revenue for road building was the purchase of land from the government. Those who bought land would be able to receive taxes from the government for the use of the land. In turn, the land owner was required to maintain the roads that crossed his property.
Throughout the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, local governments showed little interest in improving the roadways in their areas. It wasn’t until the late 1890s that an effort was made to improve the roads in New York State. During that time, the Chamber of Commerce in Putnam County began to seek the construction of new and improved roadways.
As a result, the County Board of Supervisors invited a state engineer to plan a new road for the community. The proposed route was to run through the town of Carmel and the village of Patterson. This road would then run into Dutchess County.
A petition was signed by the largest taxpayers in eastern Putnam County. This petition stated that a “state” road was necessary to help bring business to the area.
