The Road That Stitched America Together

When George Washington feared a divided nation, he set the stage for America’s first great highway—the National Road. Built through rugged mountains with clever financing from western land sales, it stitched the East and West together, enabling commerce and settlement. Despite local drama and shifting routes, it reached Illinois by 1839, becoming a lifeline for westward expansion. Today, its legacy lives on as U.S. Route 40, celebrated by drivers and preserved in museums, proving that America’s roads were always more than just pavement—they were the arteries of a nation. Support the show:Get a discount at https://solipillow.com/discount/dnn. Advertise on DNN:[email protected] This is an automated, high-level news summary based on public reporting.Report issues to [email protected]. View sources & latest updates:https://sources.thednn.ai/8432fdd638da3c78