"Shank describes in detail the evolution of the state's roads. He starts with Indian trails at the time of the Penn Grant and moves along through pack-horse trails and numerous other types of roads, including military, corduroy, plank, stone-surfaced, brick and concrete. His journey ends with today's limited-access expressways and includes plenty of maps, drawings, photos and human interest stories." [from Abebooks.com]
Chapters: PENNSYLVANIA INDIAN TRAILS --- EARLY ROAD DEVELOPMENT --- EARLY RIVER TRAVEL IN PENNSYLVANIA --- LAND VEHICLES AND ROADCONDITIONS, EARLY 1800's --- THE FIRST STONE-SURFACED ROADS --- PENNSYLVANIA PIONEER BRIDGE BUILDERS --- THE CANAL ERA -- AQUEDUCTS AND CANAL ENGINEERING -- INCLINED PLANES AND GRAVITY RAILWAYS --- STEAM RAILROADS IN PENNSYLVANIA --- THE PLANK ROAD--- THE BICYCLE CRAZE --- URBAN RAIL CARS --- THE AUTO ERA OPENS--- PENNSYLVANIA HIGHWAYS IN THE TWENTIETH CENTURY --- AIR TRAVEL IN PENNSYLVANIA --- THE PENNSYLVANIA TRAVELER TODAY AND TOMORROW
Summary
Pennsylvania's unusual topography and location at the hub of the original 13 colonies make the state's transportation history unique.This comprehensive, 156-page book with four-color cover employs delightful, often humorous, perceptions of the problems which beset Pennsylvania pioneers. It also details an amazing assortment of vehicles and unusual means of crossing streams and mountains, perhaps unequalled in any other state.
