“Plank roads are the three great inscriptions graven on the earth by the hand of modern science.” So said Hunts Merchants’ Magazine in 1852. This quote is a testament to the ambition behind the Plank Road Plaque.
The Plank Road Plaque marks a period of rapid expansion. It signifies a time when Chicago sought to connect itself to the surrounding region. Plank roads became a key part of this plan.
Imagine Chicago in the mid-1840s. Muddy tracks were common. These tracks made transporting goods very difficult. The Plank Road Plaque commemorates a solution to this problem.
Plank roads were introduced to the United States by George Geddes. Geddes got the idea from Canada. The first plank road in North America was in Toronto. Geddes promoted plank roads as a cheaper alternative to stone roads.
The Plank Road Boom lasted from 1844 to the mid-1850s. During this time, over 10000 miles of plank road were constructed nationwide. Newspapers helped spread the plank road craze. They praised the ease of construction.
The Midwest also embraced plank roads. Newspapers in Chicago and Fort Wayne advocated for them. In 1845, proponents proposed a Chicago-Rockford road.
These roads used a simple design. Planks were laid on wooden supports. This created a smooth surface for wagons and travelers. Tolls were collected to maintain the road.
One early road stretched from Chicago to Riverside. It covered ten miles. The road consisted of a single track eight feet wide. Planks three inches thick were laid over the stringers.
The Barry Point Road was the first attempt at road building. It became the route of Chicago’s first plank road.
These roads improved travel. They allowed farmers to bring their goods to market more easily. This spurred economic growth in Chicago.
Not all trips were smooth. Mark Twain once said a trip would have been good. Only it wasn’t because someone dropped a plank across the road.
The Plank Road Plaque also tells a story of decline. The plank roads did not last. The railroads soon surpassed them. The railroads offered faster and more efficient transportation. By the late 1850s, plank roads were largely abandoned.
Despite their short lifespan plank roads left their mark. They represent a time of innovation. Plank roads improved transportation. They facilitated trade. They connected Chicago with its hinterland. The Plank Road Plaque serves as a reminder of this era. It reminds us of Chicago’s early efforts to modernize its infrastructure. It reminds us that even short-lived solutions can have a lasting impact.