Facts About King's Highway - The Oldest Road In The US

Rosemary April 29, 2023 | 22:55

How old is the The King's Highway - the oldest road in the US? You will find the answer in this article.

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What Is The Oldest Road In the US - The King's Highway

New Jersey is awash in heritage! For instance, the Lincoln Highway is one of the first automobile-designed transcontinental highway routes in America. It used to run from Times Square in New York to Lincoln Park in San Francisco, and it is now more than a century old. While the history of the Lincoln Highway is fascinating, there is an even older road in New Jersey. Let's examine the King's Highway in New Jersey, which is the oldest road in the United States.

The King's Highway in New Jersey is now the oldest road in continuous use in the nation.

The King's Highway Historic District was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2000. It's home to a host of important sites, including the Kingston Bridge which was built 1798. It replaced one destroyed by George Washington's troops to prevent British pursuit.

When Was The King's Highway Built?

In the 1600s, the King's Highway was built to go from Boston, Massachusetts to Charleston, South Carolina. In Philadelphia, William Penn had the King’s Highway Bridge built by residents via royal edict.

This bridge, built in 1697 is the oldest roadway bridge in continuous use in the nation. When it comes to Philadelphia however, Independence Hall and the Liberty Bell are still the popular tourist attractions.

The King's Highway: Dangerous Deeds and Historical Events

People are surprised to learn that the Continental Congress' representatives frequently convened in taverns in Frankford, which was previously a neighborhood of Philadelphia before the consolidation of 1854, to discuss their independence from Britain.

Benjamin Franklin, George Washington, and other notable individuals frequently traveled to, worked in, and stayed in Northeast Philadelphia. When African Americans became more numerous during the Civil War, you will discover that Northeast Philadelphians were heavily involved in the Underground Railroad and the abolition of slavery.

The National Register of Historic Places lists six structures and eight different historic districts that the road passes through.

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These include: Drumthwacket (the governor's mansion), Morven (now a museum & garden), the Maclean House, the Lawrenceville School, Nassau Hall (now part of Princeton University and once the United States' capitol building), and the Joseph Henry House.

History of The King's Highway

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The King's Highway and the historical sites found there serve as the film's framework. The documentary is designed to provide us with a window into the past by supplementing that with in-depth historical coverage, expert speakers, archival footage, historical documents, photographs, maps, and artifacts.

Viewers will be able to see the beauty that has almost completely been forgotten thanks to time lapse and walkthrough footage of various locations. The movie aims to raise awareness of the area's historic significance as well as to highlight the historians and preservationists who are battling to preserve our lovely city. In the end, our goal is to let people know that Center City is not the only location where American history can be found.

From 1650 to 1735, the 1,300-mile (2,100-kilometer) King's Highway, which connected Charleston, South Carolina, and Boston, Massachusetts, was constructed. Despite the fact that Charles II of England had ordered its construction, it was crucial to the United States' eventual separation from England.

It was essentially a trail in 1735. The entire road was built by 1750. Because there were so many river crossings and few bridges, it was difficult for wagons and stagecoaches to travel. A lot of the sections were impassable.

Most of the original route is now covered by highways and contemporary roads.

The King's Highway: Historic Sites

The King's Highway was built on the order of King Charles II of England and ran through his American Colonies

Important historical components have been preserved in many locations. For instance, the U.S. Route 206 and New Jersey Route 27 that run through Princeton to connect Lawrenceville with Kingston are included in The King's Highway Historic District in New Jersey. Just along that stretch of road, there are five National Historic Landmarks: the Joseph Henry House, Maclean House, Nassau Hall, and Morven Museum and Garden. The National Register of Historic Places and the New Jersey Register of Historic Places both list numerous associated historic buildings.

Along the 1,300-mile highway, there are countless historic sites, but for now, let's focus on what's happening in northeast Philadelphia.

The King's Highway Historic Site offers interesting locations where locals and guests can stroll along paths that have been used by people for hundreds of years. Follow a portion of Washington's Army as it made its way to Yorktown, pass by Rippon Lodge, one of the county's oldest homes, connect with nearby waterways, and discover old trails at the National Museum of the Marine Corps where you least expect them.

Located within the Neabsco Regional Park is the King's Highway Historic Site. Neabsco Creek Boardwalk, Julie J. Metz Neabsco Creek Wetlands Preserve, and Rippon Lodge Historic Site are additional features of this park. Neabsco Regional Park information can be found by clicking.