Chapter One - CAPITAL CORRIDOR
Maryland & W.D.C.
Before starting a trip on U.S. 50 Highway, the reader will possibly find it interesting to study a U.S. road map. There are many descriptions of routes identified as interstates, freeways, turnpikes, and state highways. These various systems have been engineered so as to satisfy the traveler.
The original trail before U.S. 50 Highway was adopted began around Annapolis, the capital of Maryland. This city is 26 miles southeast of Baltimore and 30 miles northeast of Washington D.C.
The Powhatan Indian was the tribe that established trails throughout Maryland, W.D.C. and Virginia. The trails were later used by the early settlers and helped to establish the networks of roadways throughout the 12 states in my story.
In 1812, 24 years after Maryland became a state, the Baltimore businessmen were interested in Western trade routes. The Baltimore and Ohio Railroad was then established.
Rail and water facilities were the major factors for growth in Maryland, and especially around Baltimore and Annapolis. Transportation interests were very popular in state politics.
Both WWI and WWII received many contributions from Maryland. This was done through aircraft manufacture and ship building. Annapolis established the United States Naval Academy in 1845. Other scientific centers were developed also.
Transportation systems were being improved after the end of both wars. Maryland was by water traffic. In 1907, a proposal was made to build a bridge across Chesapeake Bay. Both World Wars stopped any construction of this much-needed bridge. Forty-five years later, in 1952, the 4.3-mile bridge was finally opened.
Opening up this suspension bridge helped to create the U.S. 50 Highway from Ocean City, located on the beautiful coastline of the Atlantic Ocean. This area has grown and is a very beautiful beach area for vacationers from all over the world. There are many accommodations established here. The bridge was named William Preston Lane Jr. Memorial, in honor of the governor of Maryland in 1952.
Maryland was helped in the roadway systems by the Federal Aid program. After WWI, in early 1920, the Defense Highway being used was designated U.S. by U.S. government authorities and became of the National Highways across our nation.
The new construction of this route was completed at the end of 1926, and placed W.D.C. closer to Annapolis. This brought our national capital and Maryland's capital closer by 11 miles. In earlier days of roadway layouts they took the least line of resistance, which often meant a longer distance with more improved machinery, especially for roads, it helped to create more as well as direct routes.
Traffic on the roadways was increasing. This was after 1948 when groundwork was being prepared for more road improvement in Maryland, and by 1950 it prevailed throughout the nation.
The revamping of roadways and U.S. 50 Highway in Maryland involved widening, as well as adding bridges, and overpasses to meet the demands of more automobiles traveling on it. There were lots of expenditures in building this vital roadway system.
Transportation has been good in Maryland through the rail traffic that comes in from New York and Philadelphia and travels through the state. Another good source of transportation is the Chesapeake Bay's entrance into Baltimore harbor. There are several highways traversing the state, and U.S. 50 Highway is one of the important roadways coming from ocean City on the Atlantic crossing the Chesapeake Bay bridge to the capital, Annapolis, and into W.D.C. There are no toll highways,, but several toll bridges prevail.
As the years progressed and improvements were being made, the highways were given priority. While U.S. 50 Highway was being improved on the eastern side of the Chesapeake Bay in 1957, the Annapolis-Washington expressway was being constructed.
U.S. 50 Highway was designated for greater improvements from the 301-MD 3 interchange in Prince George's County to MD 197. The project cost over $36 million and was completed in 1993, which brought this area up to interstate standards. This improved roadway from Ocean City to the Chesapeake Bay Bridge helped to establish the towns along its routes.
Ocean City is a seaboard town on the Atlantic at the southern end of Maryland. The town erected a sign over the bridge crossing the Sinepuxent Bay: "U.S. 50, Sacramento, Ca. 3073."
Ocean City is a delightful playground with a spectacular beach. Families can celebrate here year round. The climate is inviting with all the water anyone would care to enjoy in so many ways.
This area is known worldwide for many activities to please even a newcomer. This is a nautical theme town, and many accommodations with multi-storied facilities. U.S. 50 Highway being extended to the eastern side of Maryland by Wm. Preston Lane Jr. Bridge in 1952 opened up a new interesting section for the state of Maryland. In fact, the bridge couldn't accommodate the increased traffic flow and another one was constructed beside the first one.
U.S. 50 Highway traverses from Ocean City through several towns along the route. One of them being Salisbury, the seat of Wicomico County. Salisbury was founded in the 18th century by Issac Handy. The Wicomico River runs through the town.
There are waterways all along including the Chesapeake Bay, an important water inlet from the Atlantic Ocean. In fact, it is the largest inlet from the Atlantic Ocean. Salisbury is just 31 miles from Ocean City.
This interesting area has many well-preserved homes including colonial architecture, as well as old farm homes. Salisbury has a state university on a beautiful campus worth anyone's attention.
For the sportsman, there are several golf courses around the area, and for the traveler on U.S. 50 Highway, they will find themselves driving through rich agricultural land with fruits, vegetables, and poultry.
In the nearby town of Cambridge can be found well-preserved historical homes from the 1700's. Near here is a 14,000 acre National Wildlife Refuge. There are over 241 types of fowl living in thee preserve. It is a good place for photographers and artists to capture some of the most interesting works for their profession.
The walking trails are plentiful and a revelation for those who like a different experience in an old historical area. Animals are in view such as deer, red fox, opossum, and otters. Be careful, you might even see a skunk. There is a large observation tower to view the expanse of this eastern
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