New York Turnpikes

Early turnpikes were toll road and so they were comparatively good highways. They were called turnpikes because they were barred by a pike (or pole) balanced and swinging on a post. This aparatus was placed in the center of the early turnpikes as a toll gate. When the traveler paid his toll, the pike was turned parallel with the road and the toll-payer passed through.

Timeline

1800 Great Genesee Road officially became the Seneca Turnpike 1800 Mohawk Turnpike established 1806 Seneca Turnpike expanded through Syracuse 1825 Erie Canal constructed and opened 1852 Seneca and Mohawk Turnpikes reverted to public control