Massachusetts Turnpike

Did an ancestor travel the Massachusetts Turnpike? Learn about this settler migration route, its transportation history, and find related genealogy sources.

History
The turnpike era in Massachusetts began in 1796, when the first act of incorporation for a turnpike was passed. By 1850, most turnpike corporations had either been dissolved or had stopped collecting tolls. In all, 118 acts of incorporation were passed (ten of these were in the territory that later became the state of Maine). Typical toll rates were twenty-five cents for every coach with additional charges of four cents for every man and horse.

Route
The Massachusetts Turnpike was a series of additions to the original route over a period of years from about 1796 - 1868. For a complete list of the route and additions click here.

History lists 12 highways actually called the "Massachusetts Turnpike" and many more that were part of the system but given another name. The route on the nearby map shows the modern road built in the 1950s and still called the "Massachusetts Turnpike" or Interstate 90.

Other Wiki Pages

 * United States Emigration and Immigration
 * United States Immigration Online Genealogy Records