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The Gospel of Good Roads: A Letter to the American Farmer
Currently on display
From the Smithsonian Collection
Pamphlets such as this one promoted support for good roads in the late 1800s. The League of American Wheelmen-an organization of bicyclists-distributed about 5 million tracts calling for road improvements. |
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Physical Description |
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pamphlet
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Details |
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History |
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American roads in the late 19th century, especially those in rural areas, were often poorly maintained and poorly surfaced. In the 1880s, as more Americans began to ride bicycles, which needed a smoother road surface than a horse drawn vehicle, organizations of bicyclists started calling for better roads. They were often joined by railroad companies who wanted to improve the connections between farmers and other businesses and the rail station.
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