We take our roads for granted today not realizing that as early as the 1920's good roads were almost non existant.  The articles featured here will deal with news of the history of road construction in the United States.

ARTICLES FOR JAN 2012

The league of American Wheelman were instrumental in promoting the development of roads.

The League was founded as the League of American Wheelmen in 1880. Bicyclists, known then as "wheelmen", were challenged by rutted roads of gravel and dirt and faced antagonism from horsemen, wagon drivers, and pedestrians.

In an effort to improve riding conditions so they might better enjoy their newly discovered sport, more than 100,000 cyclists from across the United States joined the League to advocate for paved roads. The success of the League in its first advocacy efforts ultimately led to our National Highway system.

$5,000,000 FOR GOOD ROADS.

I,. A. W. to Work w i t h Automobile

P e o p l e for Great Military H i g h w a y s.

The New York Times.

SCHENECTADY. N. Y., Jan. 5.1900—W. E.

Underhill, Chief Consul of this division of

the League of American Wheelmen and a

prominent factor in the affairs of the National

body, said to-day that the bill introduced

in Congress recently providing for an

appropriation of $5,000,000 for good roads

throughout the Nation was a step on the

part of the League of American Wheelmen

toward preparing the highways of the country

for the new conditions.

" The plan of the League of American

Wheelmen in asking for this appropriation."

continued Mr. Underhill, "is to secure the

construction of three or four great militarv

roads connecting large Eastern cities like

Boston, New York, and Philadelphia, and

extending from New York to Chicago by

way of Albany.

" The significance of the project is only

realized when it is taken in connection with

the introduction of the automobile. The

organization desires to conserve the interests

of the automobile people as well as its

own members."

ur national highway system.

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