Historical Perspective

In 1770 the early Pennsylvanians needed a faster way to transport deer across the state. John Quincy Adams proposed a 4 lane road from Philadelphia to Pittsburgh. He enlisted the help of local deer to clear out the trees. To honor the contribution of the deer he named it "the turpaka", meaning "path of the deer". Later this was changed to "the turnpike" after the invention of the "rest stop".