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Sunday, January 07, 2007

1899: The Trenton-Allentown Turnpike Controversy 1 of 3

One of the questions I am asked very frequently is the location of the many toll roads which were placed along the roads leading to and from Trenton from all points on the compass. Years ago, before there was a Route 33, Route 206, etc. the roads were privately owned and operated. As you will read in these three posts, the maintenance on these roads was anything but satisfactory. Muddy, rutted roads were the order of the day. The farmers were up in arms and took their complaints to the commission. While these 3 posts refer to the Trenton to Allentown turnpike which involved Mercerville, Hamilton Square, Newtown (Robbinsville), and Allentown, there was also an ongoing problem with the White Horse Turnpike. Future posts will undoubted turn up as I continue my search through these very interesting pages.

THANKS TO GARY LIPPINCOTT OF GROVEVILLE FOR THE FOLLOWING ADDITION TO THE TURNPIKE CONTROVERSY. GARY WRITES:

There was a toll house for the Trenton-Allentown turnpike located at the intersection of the Yardville-Allentown Road and the Crosswicks-Hamilton Square. It was torn down within the last ten years for the widening of that intersection. Friends of my parents lived there , Ed and Alma Randall, during the late fifties, early sixty's, till they moved to Allentown.
There is a house that I have been told is a toll house and is exactly like their's. It still remains at the corner of the Crosswicks-Chesterfield Road and Hogback Road, in Bordentown Township.
They both have the same shape, square with a flat roof.
Gary
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Thanks again Gary for your input. There was also a toll house at the intersection of Cedar Lane, (then known as Cedar Street), and South Broad Street. Also at the intersection of Hamilton (Sandtown Road) and today's Nottingham Way.

1 comment:

Anonymous said...

Tom - Interesting how the word 'turnpike' came into being - in the old days an actual log or pike was placed across the road before anyone could pass and a toll had to be paid. When the toll was satisfied, the pike was turned so the traveler could pass - hence the name 'turn pike'.
Lakeside Girl