National Pike Milestones
Mark the route of the old National Pike

Historic Site

Open to the public

Things to do and see
They can be found on the north side of the National Pike, primarily MD Route 144, but also found along sections of U.S. Route 40, Alt. U.S. Route 40, MD Route 165, and "Scenic 40" west of Hancock.

Historic Marker

Location

, MD
On the north side of the National Pike, primarily MD Route 144

Contact information

On the Web

National Pike Milestone

These milestones mark the route of the old National Pike from Baltimore to Cumberland, Maryland. The Baltimore-Fredericktown Turnpike Company was franchised by the state in 1805 to construct, maintain, and collect tolls on 62 miles of toll road from Baltimore to Boonesboro, Maryland. The first tollgate was opened in April of 1807. Jonathan Ellicott, President of this company, was instrumental in having three other turnpikes formed which extended the road over the mountains to Cumberland where it met the federally funded National Road, opened in 1818. A group of banks, mostly from Baltimore provided the capital for the construction. This made possible overland transportation all the way from Baltimore to St. Louis with the result that through the Cumberland Narrows passed over half of the emigrants and freight of our westward migration in its early days. It is significant that Maryland was the first of the Mid-Atlantic states to finance and maintain its road with the turnpike system, and the method quickly spread throughout the eastern seaboard.

The Old National Pike Milestones were laid beginning at the Baltimore courthouse, spaced one mile apart and placed on the north side of the National Pike, primarily MD Route 144, but also found along sections of U.S. Route 40, Alt. U.S. Route 40, MD Route 165, and "Scenic 40" west of Hancock.

Dimensions of the stones vary from section to section. Generally they are about 12 inches wide, 8 inches deep, and project about 30 inches above grade. The stone material also varies. The first 39 stones are of Baltimore gneiss from the Ellicott City area. From West Friendship through Frederick to Boonesboro, the material is quartzite, plentiful along the Monocacy River. From Boonesboro to Funkstown, a very white limestone was used and also a different stone cutters whose lettering is very distinctive. West of Hagerstown, the stones are of a gray limestone.

Designations
National Register of Historic Places

National Pike Milestones Mark the route of the old National Pike

National Pike Milestones
Mark the route of the old National Pike