{"id":1383,"date":"2017-06-01T02:31:56","date_gmt":"2017-06-01T09:31:56","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/explore.globalcreations.com\/theblog\/?p=1383"},"modified":"2021-05-03T21:28:39","modified_gmt":"2021-05-04T04:28:39","slug":"exploring-the-kings-highway","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/explore.globalcreations.com\/theblog\/featured\/exploring-the-kings-highway\/","title":{"rendered":"Exploring the Oldest Road in The USA – The King’s Highway"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"King's<\/p>\n

As it turns out, \u00a0I’m not the only one that enjoys historical exploration. \u00a0Some folks in Pennsylvania have been exploring the oldest road in America and have produced\u00a0\u00a0a documentary. \u00a0They may not call it historical exploration, but they started with the history of the Kings Highway and went exploring before producing their documentary video.<\/p>\n

The King’s Highway<\/h1>\n

\"KingsThe 1,300-mile (2,100\u00a0km) long King’s Highway was built from to 1650 to 1735\u00a0and connected Charleston, South Carolina to Boston, Massachusetts. \u00a0It played a critical role in the ultimate independence of the United States from England even though it was ordered to be built by Charles II of England.<\/p>\n

In 1735,\u00a0it was \u00a0basically a trail. By 1750 the entire road was in place. \u00a0Wagons and stagecoaches used it, but it was difficult going with few bridges and many river crossings. \u00a0Sections were often impassable.<\/p>\n

Today, highways and modern roads cover most of the original route.<\/p>\n

In many places key historic elements have been preserved. For example,The King’s Highway Historic District in New Jersey covers U.S. Route 206 and New Jersey Route 27 that connect Lawrenceville with Kingston through Princeton. There are five National Historic Landmarks, just on that piece of road:\u00a0Lawrenceville School<\/a>,\u00a0Morven\u00a0Museum and Garden<\/a>,\u00a0Maclean House<\/a>,\u00a0Nassau Hall<\/a>, and the\u00a0Joseph Henry House<\/a>. In addition there are numerous associated historic stuctures on the National Register of Historic Places and the New Jersey Register of Historic Places.<\/p>\n

There are hundreds of historic places along the 1,300 mile highway, but today lets look at what’s happening in northeast Philadelphia.<\/p>\n

The King’s Highway in Philadelphia<\/h1>\n

Right now a team of local residents including government officials and historians are working with a film production team led by Jason Sherman to create a definitive documentary about The King’s Highway that is now\u00a0Frankford Avenue (U.S. Route 13) in northeast Philadelphia. \u00a0While the King’s Highway in this part\u00a0Philadelphia is\u00a0a small part of the historical picture it is a surprisingly rich part.<\/p>\n

Legend has it that in 1777 one northeast Philadelphia resident named\u00a0Lydia Darragh\u00a0was forced to allow the British that were occupying Philadelphia to use part of her house for meetings. \u00a0One night she listened to officers\u00a0making plans to attack the Continental Army. \u00a0The next day she obtained permission to cross the British line to acquire flour. \u00a0While getting the flour, she got word to General Washington’s troops about the impending attack. \u00a0The Continental Army was ready for the British and the attack failed.<\/p>\n

\"Frankford

Frankford Avenue Bridge
Northeast Philadelphia – 1697<\/p><\/div>\n

The\u00a0Frankford Avenue Bridge (or Pennypack Creek Bridge) was\u00a0erected in 1697 in the\u00a0Holmesburg\u00a0section of\u00a0Northeast Philadelphia at the request of William Penn. Penn originally asked for the bridge to\u00a0connect his mansion with the city of Philadelphia, but it became\u00a0an important link on the King’s Highway. \u00a0It is now the\u00a0oldest,\u00a0continuously-used\u00a0roadway bridge in the United States. The three-span, 73-foot-long (22\u00a0m) twin stone\u00a0arch bridge\u00a0carries Frankford Avenue\u00a0over\u00a0Pennypack Creek\u00a0in\u00a0Pennypack Park\u00a0at an old\u00a0Lenape Indian trail crossing. \u00a0In 1789, George Washington crossed the bridge on his way to his first presidential inauguration in New York.<\/p>\n

There are many other historical sites in the area and along the King’s Highway.<\/p>\n

Exploring\u00a0The King’s Highway<\/h1>\n

Whether you are in Philadelphia or anywhere else along the King’s Highway, \u00a0you can use the highway\u00a0as the object of your historical explorations. \u00a0The research is now\u00a0easier for the northeast Philadelphia area as the film team has completed\u00a0the documentary. \u00a0It is available free on Amazon if you have Amazon Prime<\/a> and is available on IndieFlix if you are a subscriber<\/a>. \u00a0If you would like to support marketing\u00a0of the documentary, you can\u00a0buy things at the film’s website<\/a>. \u00a0Then, get out and explore!<\/p>\n

Video Trailer<\/h1>\n
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