Stories

  • A Historical Tour of the Mohawk Towpath Scenic Byway
    Mohawk Towpath Byway - (New York)

    Decades ago the rolling hills, forests and farmland of Upstate New York were dotted with small rural communities, little more than names on a map. After 1817, the increased river trade from the completion of the Erie Canal transformed sleepy communities into industrial powerhouses. The Mohawk...

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  • Ahoy! Pirates of Calcasieu
    Creole Nature Trail - (Louisiana)

    As you drive the Creole Nature Trail All-American Road today, you will find that the route’s history is as intriguing as the bayou’s distinctive nature. A sampling of this history can be seen in the legends of treasure left behind from when dangerous scoundrels and pirates inhabited the area. L

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  • A Journey Through Time on the Lake Erie Coastal Ohio Trail
    Lake Erie Coastal Ohio Trail - (Ohio)

    Spanning millennia, the Lake Erie Coastal Ohio Trail holds some residue of Earth's early history, our country's early history, and today, makes its own history. The byway links 300 museums and natural areas related to the glacial carving of our landscape, the War of 1812's Battle of Lake Erie,...

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  • America's First Interstate: The Mississippi River
    Great River Road - (Arkansas, Illinois, Iowa, Kentucky, Louisiana, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Tennessee, Wisconsin)

    As one of the great transportation arteries on the western frontier, the Mississippi River played a crucial role in 19th century America. The mighty river represented the same ideas that our modern highways have come to symbolize: commerce, discovery, and freedom. In this way, the Mississippi...

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  • America's Inland Maritime History Along the Seaway Trail
    Seaway Trail - (New York, Pennsylvania)

    Unfolding across the waters of Lake Erie, Lake Ontario, and the St. Lawrence River, the War of 1812 drew the United States into the conflict between Britain and France. Take the 518-mile-long Seaway Trail to visit both the historic sites that chronicle the events of this war and the many...

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  • Appalachian Culture and History on the Blue Ridge Parkway
    Blue Ridge Parkway - (North Carolina, Virginia)

    The diverse history and culture of the southern Appalachian Mountains awaits you along the Blue Ridge Parkway. Split-rail fences, old farmsteads, and historic structures complement views of distant mountains and neighboring valleys. While traveling this road, view the smoke-like haze that gives...

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  • Carriages and Calamity: History Along Acadia All American Road
    Acadia All American Road - (Maine)

    Maine's Acadia All American Road on Mount Desert Island boasts a history that spans thousands of years. From the Wabanaki Indians, who lived on the island thousands of years ago, to French explorers, to John D. Rockefeller, Jr., the region's history tells part of the story of our nation's birth....

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  • Cowboys and Chapels: Hells Canyon Scenic Byway's History
    Hells Canyon Scenic Byway - (Oregon)

    While Hells Canyon Scenic Byway attracts adventure seekers to its vast and diverse outdoor regions, it also provides a wealth of opportunities for the history fanatic. Explore tiny hundred-year-old churches, historic districts, Native American culture and more, as you travel eastern Oregon's...

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  • Documenting the Great River: Henry Rowe Schoolcraft
    Great River Road - (Arkansas, Illinois, Iowa, Kentucky, Louisiana, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Tennessee, Wisconsin)

    In our era of satellite navigation and global positioning systems, we tend to take geography for granted. In the 19th Century, however, geography drove geographers to several-month expeditions into the unknown. One of the great geographers of the Mississippi was Henry Rowe Schoolcraft, who...

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  • Encounter Our Nation's History on the Washington Heritage Trail
    Washington Heritage Trail - (West Virginia)

    Eastern West Virginia is steeped in history, and few routes will take you to the core of that history like the Washington Heritage Trail. Drive this road past scenic state parks, Washington family homes and five charming 18th-century historical towns, where you encounter interactive evidence of...

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  • England's Colonization of America on the Colonial Parkway
    Colonial Parkway - (Virginia)

    Journey through 167 years of the English colonial experience in America on the Colonial Parkway in Virginia. Enjoy spectacular views of the James and York Rivers at many historic turnouts along your way to the three historic old towns of Jamestown, Williamsburg and Yorktown.

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  • Escape the Norm with a Drive Along the Merritt Parkway
    Merritt Parkway - (Connecticut)

    "One can build a concrete highway anywhere … But the Merritt Parkway is different. More than any 'futurama' at the World's Fair, … it shows what the highway of the future really should look like—a highway where the eye is filled with beauty and the mind with peace." —Bridgeport Post, 1938

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  • Find Civil War History on the Staunton-Parkersburg Turnpike
    Staunton-Parkersburg Turnpike - (West Virginia)

    Set amidst the mountainous Monongahela National Forest, the historic Staunton-Parkersburg Turnpike offers you a rewarding experience that unfolds with every curve in the road. Take the Turnpike across West Virginia, a state steeped in Civil War remnants, and find golden historical treasures all...

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  • Flagler's Playground: St. Augustine in the Late 19th Century
    A1A Scenic & Historic Coastal Byway - (Florida)

    If the charm of St. Augustine hadn't captured the imagination of Henry Flagler, the history of the Florida peninsula would have been drastically different. His contributions and constructions revitalized the state of Florida, and breathed life back into the historic city of St. Augustine.

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  • Follow the Great River Road for Native American History
    Great River Road - (Arkansas, Illinois, Iowa, Kentucky, Louisiana, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Tennessee, Wisconsin)

    Follow the Great River Road into the past as you explore remnants and reconstructions of the Mississippi River region’s rich Native American history. From Minnesota to Mississippi, count on the byway to connect you to enlightening museum exhibits, sacred mound sites, famously tragic trails,...

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  • From Settlements to Cities: Indiana's Historic National Road
    Historic National Road - (Illinois, Indiana, Maryland, Ohio, Pennsylvania, West Virginia)

    From trail way to highway, the Historic National Road through Indiana has seen tremendous change and growth over the centuries. Spanning the breadth of the state, the Historic National Road follows Highway 40 right through the heart of Indiana and its capital, Indianapolis, the byway's largest...

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  • Historic Places on America's Byways

    Travel America's Byways® and discover the story of America's past. Find evidence of indigenous civilizations and follow the trails forged by the early settlers.

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  • Historic Sites and Stops on the Mountains to Sound Greenway
    Mountains to Sound Greenway - I-90 - (Washington)

    From remnants of the Old West to relics of the beginning of modern industry, the Mountains to Sound Greenway in Washington makes it easy to find the past.

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  • Historic Stops Along Wilderness Road Heritage Scenic Byway
    Wilderness Road Heritage Highway - (Kentucky)

    Visitors come to the Wilderness Road Heritage Scenic Byway for a variety of reasons, but perhaps the byway's most compelling feature is the bounty of historical sites along the way. From Native Americans to European pioneers to Civil War soldiers, many cultures have left their mark in the area....

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  • History and Prehistory on the Chinook Scenic Byway
    Chinook Scenic Byway - (Washington)

    A glimpse into the Seattle region's rich prehistoric and historic past can be found in abundance along the Chinook Scenic Byway in Washington. Real links to the past still exist, which historians, archaeologists, and byway travelers alike find fascinating and intriguing.

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  • History Flows Along the Ohio River Scenic Byway
    Ohio River Scenic Byway - (Illinois, Indiana, Ohio)

    The Ohio River Scenic Byway tells the story of the great river that has shaped the landscape, people, and economy along Ohio's eastern and southern borders and across southern Indiana and Illinois. Originating 10,000 years ago when glaciers diverted existing rivers, the Ohio River has provided...

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  • History of Logging on the Edge of the Wilderness Scenic Byway
    Edge of the Wilderness - (Minnesota)

    The Edge of the Wilderness Scenic Byway is not just a fantastic place full of lakes and landscapes -- it is also rich in logging history, complete with real-life lumberjacks. Come visit the Forest History Center in Grand Rapids, Minnesota, where men put their lives on the line and labored through...

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  • History on Colorado’s Santa Fe Trail
    Santa Fe Trail - (Colorado, New Mexico)

    Experience the Old West as you have never done before by taking a trip along the Santa Fe Trail in Colorado. Your car will become a time machine as you become immersed in the history and culture found on this fascinating byway.

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  • History on the Cherokee Foothills Scenic Highway
    Cherokee Foothills Scenic Highway - (South Carolina)

    From sparkling, clear lakes and streams to rolling green hills covered in lush vegetation, the Cherokee Foothills Scenic Highway offers a breathtaking sense of the South’s natural beauty. Known by the Cherokee as the “Great Blue Hills of God,” it’s not hard to see why these are the hills...

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  • "King of Roads"--History of the Historic Columbia River Highway
    Historic Columbia River Highway - (Oregon)

    Take a drive along the Historic Columbia River Highway, a winding road amidst lush green trees and cascading waterfalls, and you’ll be at a loss for words. The explosion of color and sound is a sensory feast and a wonder to behold. But the intrigue of the highway doesn’t stop there. Along...

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  • Looking Into the Past on the San Luis Obispo Scenic Byway
    Route 1 - San Luis Obispo North Coast Byway - (California)

    The San Luis Obispo North Coast Scenic Byway is rich in history. There are historical points in the city of San Luis Obispo, as well as Hearst Castle, found on the north end of the byway. The byway's coastal location, two missions, and two railroads have exposed this area to both the best and the...

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  • Mining Historical Riches on the Coal Heritage Trail
    Coal Heritage Trail - (West Virginia)

    History along the Coal Heritage Trail reaches deeper than the mines for which the byway was named. Tunnel into the byway’s historically rich culture by taking part in fascinating events and visiting historic sites that will ingrain the Coal Heritage Trail in your memory.

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  • Ohio's Historic National Road: A 200-Year Legacy
    Historic National Road - (Illinois, Indiana, Maryland, Ohio, Pennsylvania, West Virginia)

    Known as the road that built the nation, the Historic National Road was commissioned by Congress in 1806 and ultimately ran through six states, from Baltimore, Maryland, to Vandalia, Illinois. Visitors to the Ohio segment of the National Road can see the evolution of transportation in the U.S....

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  • Outlaws, Ghosts and Castles on Talimena Scenic Drive
    Talimena Scenic Drive - (Arkansas, Oklahoma)

    Looking for byway history with a fun, exciting twist? Explore a myriad of historic places along the Talimena Scenic Drive! Venture to the Horse Thief Spring Historic Site in Oklahoma, see the Heavener Runestone in Heavener State Park, visit the magnificent “Castle in the Sky,” or dare to...

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  • Peter Norbeck vs. the Diploma Boys: Building the Impossible Road
    Peter Norbeck Scenic Byway - (South Dakota)

    The roads of the Peter Norbeck Scenic Byway spiral through the rocky crags of Black Hills National Forest, Custer State Park, and Mount Rushmore National Memorial, defying imagination and providing access to some of the most beautiful landscapes in South Dakota. But none of this would have been...

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  • Petroglyph National Monument - A Link to the Past
    El Camino Real - (New Mexico), Historic Route 66 - (Arizona, Illinois, New Mexico, Oklahoma)

    Step back in time at Petroglyph National Monument along Albuquerque's West Mesa. The fascinating monument gives travelers the chance to see amazing images carved by native people and early Spanish settlers up to 12,000 years ago.

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  • Rediscovering Route 66
    Historic Route 66 - (Arizona, Illinois, New Mexico, Oklahoma)

    In its glory days Historic Route 66 was a symbol of freedom and opportunity to travelers across the nation. From Illinois to Arizona, history lovers have preserved many of the attractions so unique to the "Mother Road." Experience them for yourself and relive the glory days of one of America’s...

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  • Remnants of the Past on the Pioneer Historic Byway
    Pioneer Historic Byway - (Idaho)

    With its profound beauty and substantial history, the Pioneer Historic Byway, located in the southeastern corner of Idaho, is a beloved landmark. Travel the byway to hear the area’s riveting stories of heartache and triumph that will impress you and touch your heart for years to come.

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  • Schoodic Scenic Byway History: Lighthouses and Fishing Villages
    Schoodic Scenic Byway - (Maine)

    Your visit to Schoodic Scenic Byway takes you to a time often forgotten in the nation; where lobstering and fishing still make up a major part of the economy and every cove features a busy and active harbor. Visit traditional fishing villages like Winter Harbor or take a tour of historic...

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  • Selma to Montgomery March Byway: Travel the Road to Freedom
    Selma to Montgomery March Byway - (Alabama)

    As the Selma to Montgomery March Byway winds its way from the streets of Selma, Alabama, through the gentle rolling hills of Lowndes County, and into the state's capital city of Montgomery, you will find yourself transfixed in history. Also designated as a National Historic Trail, this section of...

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  • “Strike it Rich” on the Gold Belt Tour Scenic and Historic Byway
    Gold Belt Tour Scenic and Historic Byway - (Colorado)

    Like veins of gold and silver, history glitters through time on the Gold Belt Tour Scenic and Historic Byway in Colorado. Follow historic railroad and stagecoach routes to North America's greatest gold camps, and watch for the hundreds of historic gold mines that surround the communities along...

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  • The Dakota Conflict Near Minnesota River Valley Scenic Byway
    Minnesota River Valley Scenic Byway - (Minnesota)

    The Minnesota River Valley Scenic Byway is not just a fertile farming region overflowing with rolling hills, lush forests, and sparkling rivers-- it is also rich in American history. Come visit the historical sites of the Dakota Conflict along the Minnesota River Valley Scenic Byway, where...

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  • The First Claim of the New World: Historic St. Augustine
    A1A Scenic & Historic Coastal Byway - (Florida)

    As the oldest European settlement in North America, St. Augustine offers visitors exciting history through its time-tested forts, buildings, and monuments. St. Augustine has seen the rule of four nations, survived conflicts between settlers and Native Americans, and remains today as one of the...

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  • The Historic National Road--A Route into America's Roots
    Historic National Road - (Illinois, Indiana, Maryland, Ohio, Pennsylvania, West Virginia)

    Whether you’re an enthusiastic history buff or a more future-oriented individual, you will find a visit to the Historic National Road an exciting way to spend your present. Follow the “road that built the nation” through six states--Maryland, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Ohio, Indiana, and...

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  • The Nez Perce of Idaho
    Northwest Passage Scenic Byway - (Idaho)

    From where they crouched in the tall September grass in 1805, three young Nez Perce boys watched William Clark and a few men approach the Nez Perce lodges. Clark had just crossed the Bitterroot Mountains ahead of his companion, Meriwether Lewis, using Nez Perce hunting trails. To the boys'...

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  • The Riches of the Glenn Highway
    Glenn Highway - (Alaska)

    Gold! The very word may excite you. Perhaps you think of the gold rush that swept the nation in the 1800s, or maybe you secretly seek to strike it rich. It was these wishes of riches and glory that led people to the Alaska goldfields in the early 1800s. The Glenn Highway is host to a huge yellow...

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  • The Selma to Montgomery March: The Struggle for Voting Rights
    Selma to Montgomery March Byway - (Alabama)

    From beginning to end, the Selma to Montgomery March Byway is filled with civil rights history. Home to one of the most significant events in the American struggle for equality, this 54-mile stretch of highway marks the journey that led to equal voting rights for American citizens, regardless of...

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  • The Waterway West: Construction of New York's Erie Canal
    Mohawk Towpath Byway - (New York)

    The Erie Canal was one of the engineering marvels of the nineteenth century, overcoming daunting obstacles to provide a viable trade route from New York to the West. Today, canal history is preserved along the Mohawk Towpath Byway.

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  • Tracing History on the Natchez Trace Parkway
    Natchez Trace Parkway - (Alabama, Mississippi, Tennessee)

    For a visit to a byway rich in history, drive the Natchez Trace Parkway, established to commemorate the historical significance of the Old Natchez Trace. Originally a primitive trail that stretched 500 miles through the wilderness from Natchez, Mississippi, to Nashville, Tennessee, throughout the...

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  • Tracking History on the Frontier Pathways Scenic Byway
    Frontier Pathways Scenic and Historic Byway - (Colorado)

    Have you ever wondered what the West looked like back when it was really, truly wild? Have you dared to imagine trekking through the Rockies without a flashlight, matches, or even a map? Feed your imagination with a dose of tangible history on your visit to the Frontier Pathways Scenic and...

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  • Unearthing History on the Energy Loop
    The Energy Loop: Huntington/Eccles Canyons Scenic Byway - (Utah)

    From the hideouts of gun-slinging outlaws to the dangerous and profitable world found beneath the earth’s surface, the Energy Loop: Huntington/Eccles Canyons Scenic Byway will take you on a thrilling ride through the setting of several of Utah’s intriguing historical sites. Immerse yourself...

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  • Who Were The Voyageurs?
    Illinois River Road - (Illinois)

    During the 18th Century, beavers were more valuable than gold or money in the Illinois Territory. Pelts by the millions were shipped back to Europe where they were made into fashionable hats. River trade provided the economic bedrock for the exploration of the North American continent, as...

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