Preview: This drive covers 64 miles of the 90-mile National Road Heritage Park in Pennsylvania and offers an unforgettable journey through the past. It follows the trace used by native peoples, American militias, stagecoaches, and the westward migration. A 35.4-mile round-trip side excursion leads to Friendship Hill, the home of Albert Gallatin—“Father of the National Road.” As Secretary of the Treasury, Gallatin cleared the financial way to build this link between the commercial east and frontier west. This drive follows an arc of history across the southwest corner of Pennsylvania. By 1818, the National Road spanned between Cumberland, Maryland, and Wheeling, Virginia. It was later extended to Illinois and now continues all the way to California. A transportation landmark, it was the first federally financed road in the country. The path it cut through this mountainous corner of Pennsylvania is still among the route’s most beautiful and impressive stretches. From start to finish on the National Road, sites and tales of historical consequence come rapid fire. Three presidents-elect traveled the National Road to the White House: Andrew Jackson, James Polk, and Zachary Taylor. Special attractions: David Bradford and LeMoyne houses; Fort Necessity National Battlefield; Friendship Hill National Historic Site; historic tollhouses and taverns; monuments and mileposts; vistas; Youghiogheny Lake; history tracking, walking tours, hiking, picnicking, fishing, boating, dining, shopping. This chapter is a complete description of a scenic drive with a route map and information on the best travel seasons, interesting sites, recreation opportunities, camping locations, and much more.
© Copyright Rhonda & George Ostertag published by Falcon Publishing all rights reserved.
Best Time to Go: Year-round
This travel guide comes from:
Scenic Driving Pennsylvania Guide Book
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Date of Trip: 9/2/2003
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The trip from Washington, Pa to the Mason Dixon line is a testament to the long and varied history of this area. From centuries old farms to abondoned coal mines Route 40 has it all. Brownsville has Nemacolin Castle, an icon of better times when Fayette County had more millionaires per capita than anywhere else in the world. Follow 40 east into Uniontown to see more of this displayed at Mt Saint Macrina, a former mansion turned nunnery. Hard times hit when the mines closed and many of the mansions were razed or turned into apartments. The almost famous Summit is next, with an overlook where you can see all the way into WV and Ohio. The historic Mt. Summit Resort is on top. In it's history it has hosted Presidents and captains of industry such as Thomas Edison, Henry Ford, and Harvey Firestone. The resort proudly displays it's history in it's lobby and halls with old guest registries and newspaper clippings, reminding us once again of what 40 once was.
Head east to Fort Necessity where George Washington surrendered to the French. Now that you are in the mountains the scenery really improves. There are flea markets, fruit stands, antique shoppes, many things to keep one from rushing back home too quickly. After crossing Yough Lake one soon finds themselves at the Mason Dixon Line, but Route 40, also known as Old Route 40, winds into Maryland and continues to be as scenic as it was in PA.
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