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18th century
Transportation by water, on trails, or through wilderness
1794
Lancaster Turnpike opened, first successful toll road
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1800-30
Turnpike building (toll roads) improves communication and commerce
between settlements
1807
Robert Fulton demonstrates practicability of steamboats
1815-20
Steamboats become important in western trade
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1825
Erie Canal finished; canal building era begins (1825-40)
1830
Peter Cooper's railroad steam engine, the Tom Thumb, runs 13 miles;
beginning of railroad era
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1840
3,000
miles of railroad track constructed
1845-57
Plank road movement
1850s
Major rail trunk lines from eastern cities cross the Appalachian Mountains;
steam and clipper ships improve overseas transportation
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1860
30,000
miles of railroad
1869
Illinois passes first designated "Grander" law regulating
railroads; Union Pacific, first transcontinental railroad, completed
1870s
Refrigerator cars introduced, increasing national markets for fruits
and vegetables
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1880
160,500 miles of railroad
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1909
The Wrights demonstrate the airplane
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1910-25
Road-building accompanies increased use of automobiles
1916
Railroad network peaks at 254,000 miles; Rural
Post Roads Act begins regular Federal subsidies to road building
1917-20
Federal Government operates railroads during war emergency
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1920s
Truckers begin to capture trade in perishables and dairy products
1921
Federal Government gives more aid for farm-to-market roads
1925
Hoch-Smith Resolution requires the Interstate Commerce Commission
(ICC) to consider agricultural conditions in setting railroad rates
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1930s
Farm-to-market roads emphasized in Federal road building
1938
Motor Carried Act brings trucking under ICC regulation
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 1942
Office of Defense Transportation established
to coordinate wartime transport needs
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1950s
Trucks and barges compete successfully for agricultural products as
railroad rates rise
1956
Interstate Highway Act
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1960s
Financial condition of northeastern railroads deteriorates; rail abandonments
accelerate; agricultural shipments by all-cargo planes increase, especially
shipments of strawberries and cut flowers
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1972-74
Russian grain sale causes massive tie-ups in rail system
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1980
Railroad and trucking industries deregulated
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1990s
Consolidation of rail lines reduces transportation options for rural
residents
1998
Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century greatly increases highway
spending
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