Great Valley Road
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The American Indians developed a network of eastern trade and warrior trails stretching from the Great Lakes to the Gulf Coast. One of these trails, the Great Warrior Path from New York to the Carolinas, also served as the western boundary of British settlement until 1744. In that year a new treaty gave control of the east side of the trail to European colonists in Virginia. This opened the way for the trail to evolve into one of the most important roads for settlers in Colonial America.<ref name="DollarM">William Dollarhide, ''[http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/38096564 Map Guide to American Migration Routes 1735-1815]'' (Bountiful, Utah: Heritage Quest, 1997)[[{{DollarhideMigration}}]], 5.</ref> | The American Indians developed a network of eastern trade and warrior trails stretching from the Great Lakes to the Gulf Coast. One of these trails, the Great Warrior Path from New York to the Carolinas, also served as the western boundary of British settlement until 1744. In that year a new treaty gave control of the east side of the trail to European colonists in Virginia. This opened the way for the trail to evolve into one of the most important roads for settlers in Colonial America.<ref name="DollarM">William Dollarhide, ''[http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/38096564 Map Guide to American Migration Routes 1735-1815]'' (Bountiful, Utah: Heritage Quest, 1997)[[{{DollarhideMigration}}]], 5.</ref> | ||
| − | After 1744, the Great Valley Road was most heavily used by Ulster-Irish immigrants called Scots-Irish in America to spread through most of Appalachia bringing their [[United States Church Records#Presbyterian|Presbyterian]] religion. Pennsylvania Germans also used the trail to spread into the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia. The first settlements in Tennessee were associated with the end of the trail in that region. | + | After 1744, the Great Valley Road was most heavily used by Ulster-Irish immigrants called Scots-Irish in America to spread through most of Appalachia bringing their [[United States Church Records#Presbyterian|Presbyterian]] religion. Pennsylvania Germans also used the trail to spread into the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia. The first settlements in Tennessee were associated with the end of the trail in that region. |
| − | The [[Wilderness Road]] opened in 1775 into Kentucky branched off the Great Valley Road in southwest Virginia at Bristol (Sapling Grove).<ref>Dollarhide, 12-13.</ref> | + | The [[Wilderness Road]] opened in 1775 into Kentucky branched off the Great Valley Road in southwest Virginia at Bristol (Sapling Grove).<ref>Dollarhide, 12-13.</ref> |
=== Route === | === Route === | ||
| − | (Northeast to Southwest) | + | ''(Northeast to Southwest)'' |
| − | *Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (often called the Philadelphia Wagon Road through Pennsylvania) | + | *Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (often called the Philadelphia Wagon Road through Pennsylvania) |
*Lancaster, Lancaster, Pennsylvania | *Lancaster, Lancaster, Pennsylvania | ||
*Gettysburg, Adams, Pennsylvania | *Gettysburg, Adams, Pennsylvania | ||
| Line 23: | Line 23: | ||
*Roanoke, Roanoke, Virginia (trail forks toward Knoxville and Augusta) | *Roanoke, Roanoke, Virginia (trail forks toward Knoxville and Augusta) | ||
| − | + | '''''Western fork''''' | |
*Bristol, Washinton, Virginia (start of [[Wilderness Road|Wilderness Road]] to Boonesborough | *Bristol, Washinton, Virginia (start of [[Wilderness Road|Wilderness Road]] to Boonesborough | ||
| Line 29: | Line 29: | ||
*Knoxville, Knox, Tennessee (connects with Avery's Trace to Nashville, and the Georgia Road to Athens) | *Knoxville, Knox, Tennessee (connects with Avery's Trace to Nashville, and the Georgia Road to Athens) | ||
| − | + | '''''Southern fork''''' | |
*Martinsville, Henry, Virginia (on south fork of the Great Valley Road) | *Martinsville, Henry, Virginia (on south fork of the Great Valley Road) | ||
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=== Settlers and Records === | === Settlers and Records === | ||
| − | For partial list of settlers who used the Great Valley Road to settle in | + | For partial list of settlers who used the Great Valley Road to settle in Tennessee, see . |
{{Wikipedia|Great Wagon Road}} | {{Wikipedia|Great Wagon Road}} | ||
| Line 46: | Line 46: | ||
=== Internet Sites === | === Internet Sites === | ||
| − | ** | + | *<br> |
| + | * | ||
=== Sources === | === Sources === | ||
Revision as of 00:36, 1 August 2010
United States
Migration Trails and Roads Great Valley Road 
The Great Valley Road, also called in various parts the "Great Wagon Road," "Great Warriors' Trail," "Valley Pike," "Carolina Road," or "Trading Path," was the most important Colonial American route for settlers of the mountainous backcountry of the southern British colonies. It went from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania over to the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia forking into the Tennessee Valley and Knoxville. The other fork went more south into the Piedmont Region of North Carolina, and then to its terminus on the Savannah River at Augusta, Georgia. Several other important early pathways merged with, or split off from the Great Valley Road.
Contents |
Historical Background
The American Indians developed a network of eastern trade and warrior trails stretching from the Great Lakes to the Gulf Coast. One of these trails, the Great Warrior Path from New York to the Carolinas, also served as the western boundary of British settlement until 1744. In that year a new treaty gave control of the east side of the trail to European colonists in Virginia. This opened the way for the trail to evolve into one of the most important roads for settlers in Colonial America.[1]
After 1744, the Great Valley Road was most heavily used by Ulster-Irish immigrants called Scots-Irish in America to spread through most of Appalachia bringing their Presbyterian religion. Pennsylvania Germans also used the trail to spread into the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia. The first settlements in Tennessee were associated with the end of the trail in that region.
The Wilderness Road opened in 1775 into Kentucky branched off the Great Valley Road in southwest Virginia at Bristol (Sapling Grove).[2]
Route
(Northeast to Southwest)
- Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (often called the Philadelphia Wagon Road through Pennsylvania)
- Lancaster, Lancaster, Pennsylvania
- Gettysburg, Adams, Pennsylvania
- Hagerstown, Washington, Maryland (crosses Cumberland Road)
- Winchester, Frederick, Virginia (Pioneer Road from Alexandria joined here)
- Staunton, Augusta, Virginia (start of Kanawah Trail to West Virginia)
- Roanoke, Roanoke, Virginia (trail forks toward Knoxville and Augusta)
Western fork
- Bristol, Washinton, Virginia (start of Wilderness Road to Boonesborough
- Jonesboro, Washington, Tennessee
- Knoxville, Knox, Tennessee (connects with Avery's Trace to Nashville, and the Georgia Road to Athens)
Southern fork
- Martinsville, Henry, Virginia (on south fork of the Great Valley Road)
- Salem, Forsyth, North Carolina
- Salisbury, Rowan, North Carolina
- Charlotte, Mecklenburg, North Carolina
- Camden, Kershaw, South Carolina (where it merged with the Fall Line Road)
- Augusta, Richmond, Georgia
Settlers and Records
For partial list of settlers who used the Great Valley Road to settle in Tennessee, see .
Internet Sites
Sources
- ↑ William Dollarhide, Map Guide to American Migration Routes 1735-1815 (Bountiful, Utah: Heritage Quest, 1997)[FHL Ref Book 973 E3d], 5.
- ↑ Dollarhide, 12-13.
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