 17th-18th Centuries
|
18th century
Transportation by water, on trails, or through wilderness
1794
Lancaster Turnpike opened, first successful toll road |
1800
|
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 |
1820
|
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 |
1840
|
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 |
1860
|
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 |
1880
|
1880
160,500 miles of railroad |
1900
|
1909
The Wrights demonstrate the airplane |
1910
|
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 |
1920
|
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 |
1930
|
1930s
Farm-to-market roads emphasized in Federal road building
1938
Motor Carried Act brings trucking under ICC regulation |
1940
|
1942
Office of Defense Transportation established to coordinate wartime
transport needs |
1950
|
1950s
Trucks and barges compete successfully for agricultural products as
railroad rates rise
1956
Interstate Highway Act |
1960
|
1960s
Financial condition of northeastern railroads deteriorates; rail abandonments
accelerate; agricultural shipments by all-cargo planes increase, especially
shipments of strawberries and cut flowers |
1970
|
1972-74
Russian grain sale causes massive tie-ups in rail system |
1980
|
1980
Railroad and trucking industries deregulated |
1990-2000
|
1990s
Consolidation of rail lines reduces transportation options for rural
residents
1998
Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century greatly increases highway
spending |
|
