18__ Philad'a and West Chester Turnpike Road Co.

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18__ Philad'a and West Chester Turnpike Road Co.

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18__ Philad'a and West Chester Turnpike Road Co. 140+ year old stock certificate. Unissued. Clean vignettes, one of covered wagon. Pennsylvania. 8 1/2"X5 1/2" Printed by Evans, 4th & Library Sts., Philadelphia. Extra Fine condition.

In Delaware County, and particularly Newtown Square, the need for better roads grew. The travelers were tired of the dirt and dust, on the
carriages, their animals, and themselves. A group of concerned citizens got together and petitioned the Pennsylvania Legislature to authorize a plank, stone, or gravel road to be built between 42nd and Market Street in Philadelphia, along Market Street, west then out West Chester Pike to Newtown Square, a distance of 10.5 Miles. This was to be a money making enterprise, and toll booths would be set up and tolls charged. On March 20, 1848 the legislature authorized such a road. It took until January 23, 1849 for the necessary stock to be sold and the governor to issue the creation of the Philadelphia and West Chester Turnpike Road Company. The Legislature had placed certain conditions on this venture, such as, the 10.5 mile road had to be 60 feet wide and could be built out of wood, stone, gravel, or any other hard substance well compacted together, and of sufficient depth to secure a solid foundation. Grades were to be no more than five percent, work had to be started within three years, with five miles completed within five years, or the act became void Tolls were to be one cent per mile for each horse or mule. But heavy wagons or stage coaches with three or more horses were to be charged one and a half cent per mile. If you lied to the toll taker, a fine of five dollars, if the toll taker tried to cheat you, the fine was 10 dollars. Cattle, sheep, pigs, or people going to church, or a funeral, were exempt from tolls.