h-roadways

ROADWAYS

PAST AND PRESENT

Until 1922 major roads in our area were toll roads. These roads were maintained through funds provided for by tolls. Evidence of these toll roads can still be found as seen below. Both of these homes were originally built as toll houses. Notice how each house has a bay window next to the road. In this bay the toll taker would be seated. There would have been a toll gate across the road.

ROADWAYS OF THE PAST


This is a picture of one of the old toll houses located on Blooming Glen road. Note how close the house is to the road.		This is another toll house on South Perkasie Road that was used for tolls. Both of the buildings shown are now private homes.
		This mile stone is dated 1765 and is located on the Old Bethlehem Road from Philadelphia to Bethlehem. A traveler knew that if the stone was on his right as he traveled, he was going away from Philadelphia, and if it was on his left he was going toward Philadelphia. In 1875 the Hilltown Turnpike was established from Line Lexington to Loux's corner (5 1/4 miles).

RATES FOR THE HILLTOWN AND SELLERSVILLE TURNPIKE ROAD COMPANY effective January 1, 1914

Rate of toll per mile for every score of sheep
Rate of toll per mile for every score of hops
Rate of toll per mile for every score of cattle
Rate of toll per mile for every horse and his rider or led horse sulkey, chair, chaise, with 2 wheels, drawn by one horse
Rate of toll per mile for ... same drawn by 2 horses
Rate of toll per mile for ...same drawn by 4 horses
Rate of toll per mile for every chariot , phaeton, coach or chaise with 2 horses and 4 wheels
Rate of toll per mile for every other carriage of pleasure, under whatsoever name it may be known, the sums according to the number of wheels and horses drawing the same
Rate of toll for every stage wagon with two horses drawing the same.
Rate of toll for every such wagon with four horses.
Rate of toll for every sleigh, each horse drawing the same.
Rate of toll for every sled, each horse drawing the same.

(Partial listing)

Free travel limited to persons to and from funerals and military companies in uniform.

Rates of toll as filed at the Office of the Public Service Commission of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Harrisburg, Pennsylvania.

$.02 .02 .03

.02 .03 .04 .03

.03 .05 .02 .01

ROADS TODAY

Today road maintenance is paid for through taxes. Federal taxes help to pay for interstate highways, state taxes pay for state highways, and local taxes provide funds for local road maintenance. Local governments such as Hilltown have highway maintenance departments.


Here is the road maintenance building behind the Hilltown Township building.		Here is another road maintenance facility on Route 113 near Diamond Street.