The document discusses the history of transportation in Pennsylvania from pre-1800 to the early 1800s. Early forms of transportation like walking and horse travel were difficult due to terrain and weather. Water transportation was only possible downstream. The Conestoga wagon in the 1750-1850 period increased supply transport and facilitated western settlement. Canals from 1828-1858 cut travel time but nearly bankrupted the state. Steamboats in 1812 and railroads starting in 1809 made travel even faster and further advanced industry, trade, and economic growth in the state.

1. The history of Transportation in
Pennsylvania
8 TH G R A D E P A H I S T O R Y

2. Pennsylvania Geography

3. Pre-1800
Forms of Transportation Details
 Walking  Takes too long and tiring
 Horse  Hard to travel in bad
weather and over
 Water
mountains
 Can only go down stream

4. Pre 1800
Effects on Pennsylvania
 It was difficult to get supplies to Western
Pennsylvania
 This slowed settlement to the West

5. 1750-1850 – Conestoga Details
 Strong wagon- had to be
pulled by horses or oxen
 Carried a lot of freight
 Made water proof by
applying a wax to wood
 Animals could ford the
rivers or they could be
moved across the river on
large flat boats

6. 1750-1850 – Conestoga Effects
 Increased supplies to
Western PA
 Increased Settlement in
Western PA
 Travel time from
Philadelphia to
Pittsburgh was 6 weeks

7. 1750-1850 – Conestoga Effects
 The national Road
become a major roadway
to the west
 Many local towns
developed because of the
movement west
 Claysville, West Alex,
and West Middletown
are all examples

8. 1825-1858-Canals Details
 Canals used flat boats on
rails or water that are
pulled by horses
 They were difficult and
costly to build

9. 1828- 1858 Canals Effects

10. 1828- 1858 Canals Effects
 PA spent one hundred million dollars on their canal
system
 PA had move Canals than any other state
 Nearly bankrupted the state
 Eventually recovered the cost through trade, and the
movement of people of raw materials
 Made business grow

11. 1828- 1858 Canals Effects
 Cut travel time from
Philadelphia to
Pittsburgh to 4 days
 Lumber and coal could be
moved to factories
 Cities could receive crops
and other farm goods
 Helped Rural
Communities grow

12. 1812 Steamboats – Details
 Coal was used to power
the boats
 Could travel up and down
the rivers
 Traveled the Mississippi
River to Pittsburgh
 Many PA rivers were to
shallow (Susquehanna)

13. 1812 Steamboats – effects
 Made Pittsburgh a trade center and manufacturing
center

14. 1809 Railroad- Details
 Railroads started as wagons
pulled by horses on wooden
rails
 Iron then replaced the
wooden rails. They could
carry more weight
 Engines replaced horses.
They were powered by
burning wood
 Sparks from burning wood
cause fires along the tracks

15. 1809 Railroad- Details
 Soon coal replace wood as a
fuel
 Train could travel over
mountains
 Trains were now faster,
cheaper
 They also required less
human effort and could
carry more freight

16. 1809 Railroads- Effects
 Could travel from
Philadelphia in 28 hours
 Industry increased
because of the need of
Coal and iron
 Used to make the rails and
engines
 Coal was also used to
power the trains
 Raw materials can get to
factories faster

17. 1809 Railroads- Effects
 Railroad companies grew
creating more jobs
 Increased trade and
travel around the country