Early American travelers generally followed Indian trails. Thus Thomas Walker crossed the Cumberland Gap in 1750, demonstrating a trade route via land. Of course, moving freight via the sea or down river was much, much cheaper.
The Erie Canal (1825) was preceded by the Mohawk Trail and there were a few turnpikes in the late Federal Era. Later efforts kept the Erie Canal viable and Governor DeWitt Clinton's outstanding effort to finance the canal established NYC. Chicago later did likewise with railroad lines.
During the Jackson administration trade trails to the Southwest were popularized. The Chihuahua Trail began in Vera Cruz and later met the new Santa Fe Trail.
The Oregon Trail soon followed. Indians were everywhere troublesome; note that the Chickasaw defeated De Soto in the 1540s.
Beginning in 1841, every Spring saw westbound emigrants gathering in Independence, Missouri.
The Erie Canal (1825) was preceded by the Mohawk Trail and there were a few turnpikes in the late Federal Era. Later efforts kept the Erie Canal viable and Governor DeWitt Clinton's outstanding effort to finance the canal established NYC. Chicago later did likewise with railroad lines.
During the Jackson administration trade trails to the Southwest were popularized. The Chihuahua Trail began in Vera Cruz and later met the new Santa Fe Trail.
The Oregon Trail soon followed. Indians were everywhere troublesome; note that the Chickasaw defeated De Soto in the 1540s.
Beginning in 1841, every Spring saw westbound emigrants gathering in Independence, Missouri.
