Bedford Public Library

The King's best highway, the lost history of the Boston Post Road, the route that made America, Eric Jaffe

Type
Label
The King's best highway, the lost history of the Boston Post Road, the route that made America, Eric Jaffe
Language
eng
Bibliography note
Includes bibliographical references
Index
no index present
Literary Form
non fiction
Main title
The King's best highway
Nature of contents
bibliography
Responsibility statement
Eric Jaffe
Sub title
the lost history of the Boston Post Road, the route that made America
Summary
During its evolution from Indian trails to modern interstates, the Boston Post Road, a system of over-land routes between New York City and Boston, has carried not just travelers and mail but the march of American history itself. Eric Jaffe captures the progress of people and culture along the road through four centuries, from its earliest days as the king of England's "best highway" to the current era
Table Of Contents
pt. 1. From Indian path to post road -- The "ordinary way" -- Of fidelity and fate -- Benjamin Franklin, postman -- Inflammatory papers and tavern politicians -- The general and the blacksmith -- Setting the business in motion -- pt. 2. The railroad as highway -- The great Boston-New York rivalry -- Toward union -- Barnum, Morgan, and New England's "invisible government" -- pt. 3. The nation's road standard -- Colonel Pope and the good roads movement -- "Rocks, ruts, and thank-you-marms" -- Highway Route 1, relocated -- Changing the face of America -- Cruising the BPR
Classification
Creator
Subject

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