Erie and Waterford Turnpike Road - Unissued Stock Certificate

Unissued Stock with 4 portraits of the president and managers of the company labeled in an unknown hand in ink. They include Captain Martin Strong, William Mills, Judge John Vincent and George Selden. Small size stock measures 7 3/4" x 5 1/4".

Turnpikes were originally private toll roads often owned in shares by nearby communities. A successful Pennsylvania turnpike already existed between Philadelphia and Lancaster (built in 1794), but no such thoroughfare had been established heading westward In response, it was determined that a turnpike be built in Crawford County, which would open trade with Canada and Lake Erie. To raise the money for such a venture, locals were solicited to purchase stock in the road. Funding was remarkably successful for the project, and construction began in 1806, just one year after the Erie & Waterford Turnpike Company was established. Construction was completed in 1809, and the road was a massive success - leading to new roads, bridges and other private turnpikes being built that would greatly improve the infrastructure within the region.