Susquehanna and Tioga Turnpike

rdf:langString Susquehanna and Tioga Turnpike

rdf:langString Susquehanna and Tioga Turnpike

rdf:langString Susquehanna and Tioga Turnpike

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rdf:langString The Susquehanna and Tioga Turnpike; also called the Berwick and Tioga Turnpike, and Susquehanna & Tioga Turnpike connecting via the high ground of tributary valleys Berwick and upstream, Tioga—chartered & incorporated in 1806, the toll road, like many middle ages toll roads in Europe was opened initially as an animal power (foot traffic) turnpike in northeastern Pennsylvania (eventually) connecting early Central & Northern Eastern Pennsylvania along the Main Branch Susquehanna River to Lower New York State. Established in the early American canal age, and undercapitalized, it took several years to gradually extend improved trails in stages 100 miles (160 km) to Elmira, New York from its southern terminus at Berwick, Pennsylvania opposite Nescopeck across the Susquehanna River—in this manner it initially also sufficed as a bridle trail as well. Where demand existed from sources of natural resources or farmers seeking to ship farm goods to markets, it was systematically widened and improved into a wagon road. Built south to north, the path was opened initially along Amerindian trails, which were widened and improved to enable local farm commerce. When first completed, several northern ascents were far too steep for conversion into a wagon road so required later expensive engineering works by building shoulders into slope traversing roadbeds. Inspired by the earlier Lehigh & Susquehanna Turnpike, the two toll roads connected Philadelphia and New Jersey (Delaware & Lehigh Valley communities) to Lake Erie at Buffalo, New York via the toll bridge across the Susquehanna River between Berwick and Nescopeck—the northern terminus of the Lausanne-Nescopeck Turnpike. After the War of 1812, much of Berwick's post war growth and industrial development was because it was one of the first towns with foundries, mills and smithies that could be regularly supplied by the new wonder fuel, Anthracite coming from across the river via the Nescopeck river port from the modest mines at Jeddo, Pennsylvania. Between Nescopeck and Lausanne Landing, the Lehigh & Susquehanna Turnpike passed through the future Beaver Meadows settlement near the Jeddo works (& lands) that were the predecessor to, and inspiration of the industrial pioneers of the Beaver Meadow Railroad and Coal Company. Along its route passing through Columbia County, Luzerne County, Sullivan County, and Bradford Counties. Via the Lausanne-Nescopeck Turnpike across the river, the turnpike offered a road connecting to the Lehigh River and Lehigh Valley, and after 1818, the Lehigh Canal connecting communities serviced by the road to Allentown, Bethlehem, Easton, and, via the Delaware River or Delaware Canal, Bristol and Philadelphia. The turnpike was established in 1807 and completed in 1825 and provided the shortest route between Elmira and Berwick. Traffic along it mostly ceased in 1907, during the era when auto-clubs had pressed state and local governments to connect American cities and towns by a system of paved roads, in response to the explosion of interest in owning and driving "horseless carriages"—early automobiles and motor trucks (Lorries). Tolls along the turnpike ranged from $0.03 to $0.20. The turnpike was commonly used for lime, iron, salt, and plaster (gypsum) mineral transportation by pack mule trains, and, later, wagons. After the 1826 passage of the initial Main Line of Public Works legislation created the Pennsylvania Canal System, Berwick and at several other places, the Turnpike also connected to the Pennsylvania Canal system.

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