National Road

From Encyclopediak

National Road, a road built by the United States Government from Cumberland, Md., to Vandalia, Illinois. It was authorized by act of Congress in 1806, and the original plan contemplated constructing the road only as far as the Ohio River. It was extended by subsequent appropriations, the last being made in 1838. This road was one of the first internal improvements undertaken by the government, and it was strongly opposed on the ground that the appropriation for it was unconstitutional. It is sometimes called he Cumberland Road.