Local residents often take for granted that the four-state area is steeped in history, dating all the way back to the days when this country was founded.  One event that celebrates the transportation systems of an earlier time is coming up this weekend – National Pike Days.

One of the first major “improved” highways funded by the federal government (and authorized by President Thomas Jefferson in 1806), the National Pike (also known as the “Cumberland Road” or its more common designation – Route 40 [and Alt Route 40]) was built between 1811 and 1837, serving as the gateway from Cumberland, MD to all points west – providing reliable road access between the Potomac and Ohio Rivers [1].

East of Cumberland, a series of toll roads and turnpikes was constructed that linked the road from Cumberland to Baltimore, following much of the same route that Route 40 (and Alt Route 40) traverses – even today.  People and goods flowed on the road in both directions, and small towns sprung up as stopping points for horses, stagecoaches, wagons, and other forms of transportation.   They provided lodging, food, services, and maintenance for both vehicles and patrons.  Local towns such as Boonsboro, Clear Spring, Funkstown, and Hagerstown flourished as regular stopping points along the route.

National Pike Days celebrates this time gone by with a wagon train that travels this historic road from west to east – although these days the horse and buggy must share the roadway with the cars and trucks of the modern era.  The wagon train consists of all types of transportation vehicles from the time period, including covered wagons, stagecoaches, buggies, as well as horse and rider.

The festivities kick-off on Friday, May 19^th, when wagons will gather at Plumb Grove in Clear Spring to prepare for the weekend journey.  Here, visitors can mingle among the wagons, animals, and machinery as well as talk to the participants to get a deeper understanding of the technology and mechanics involved in the vehicles of the time period.  Bluegrass music will also be available at the evening festivities, which start at 5:00 PM.

At 9:00 AM on Saturday, May 20^th, the wagon train commences, heading east from Clear Spring and following the National Pike towards Hagerstown (there will also be a town parade in Clear Spring at 9:30 AM – following the passing of the wagon train).  The train will plod eastward, with scheduled stops at historic Wilson’s Store, Huyetts Crossroads, and Hagerstown’s City Park before arriving in Funkstown for another overnight encampment.

On Sunday, May 21^st, the wagon train departs again at 10:00 AM, traveling to Boonsboro’s Shafer Memorial Park, where the journey ends.

For an interesting look at America’s past, check out the sights and sounds of the National Pike Festival this coming weekend.

For more information, visit their website at  http://www.nationalpikefestival.org.

 

 

[1] All historical background taken from Wikipedia contributors, “National Road,” Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=National_Road&oldid=779650757 (accessed May 11, 2017).