by Mike Hays

The Eisenhower system of interstate highways was authorized in 1956. But Ike wasn’t the first person to recognize that improved transportation between American towns would fuel commercial growth. In the early 1700s, the British Crown mandated that towns build and maintain roads to other towns. The expedient solution in most cases was to widen the existing Native American trails (the original expressway) to allow wagon travel. The result was a network of roads labeled the Kings Highway. In Rockland County, Colonial Kings Highways were neither the first nor last thruway built.The short stretch from Sparkill to Central Nyack has all the narrow and winding marks of a colonial road following the easiest path through local geography. Skirting the tall cliffs of Mount Nebo and Clausland Mountain on the east, the road follows relatively flat land bordering the once impassable Greenbush swamp through which Route 303 now runs.

On this stretch are colonial homes, a university, 17th and 18th century cemeteries, a waterfall, two arts centers, stables, an old fairgrounds and racetrack, as well as modern homes and businesses. 

The post Nyack People & Places: Kings Highway, the Colonial Thruway appeared first on Nyack News and Views.