Leesburg, Virginia "Rates of Toll" list

Access and use

Location of collection:
George Mason University
2400 Fenwick Library
Special Collections Research Center
Fenwick Library MS2FL
George Mason University
Fairfax, VA 22030
Contact for questions and access:
POC: Mieko Palazzo
Phone: (703) 993-2220
Fax: (703) 993-2669
Restrictions:

There are no access restrictions.

Terms of access:

No known copyright. The Special Collections Research Center, George Mason University Libraries believes that this collection is not restricted by copyright or related rights, but a conclusive determination could not be made. (See https://rightsstatements.org/page/NKC/1.0/?language=en)

Preferred citation:

Leesburg, Virginia "Rates of Toll" list, C0345, Special Collections Research Center, George Mason University Libraries

Summary

Extent:
.01 Linear Feet 1 folder
Creator:
Washingtonian (Leesburg, VA)
Abstract:
A printed single sided sheet with Leesburg, Virginia toll rates for various carts, wagons, carriages, and animals printed by the "Washingtonian-Office, Leesburg".
Language:
English
Preferred citation:

Leesburg, Virginia "Rates of Toll" list, C0345, Special Collections Research Center, George Mason University Libraries

Background

Scope and content:

A printed single sided sheet with the heading "Rates of Toll: To Be Paid Here" above a list of Leesburg, Virginia toll rates for various carts, wagons, carriages, and animals printed by the "Washingtonian-Office, Leesburg". The toll information is surrounded by a floral decorative border with round seals in each of the four corners.

Biographical / historical:

In the latter half of the 18th through the early 19th century, road building in Virginia was marked by the development of many toll roads, also known as turnpikes. In 1785, when established methods of funding for road improvement and maintenance proved insufficient, gates were constructed along heavy travel and trade routes to collect tolls. These newly established turnpikes got their name from the original toll gate design, which consisted of a turnstile made from two crossed bars, pointed at their outer ends, and turned on a vertical bar. In and around Leesburg, these newly established turnpikes included seven toll gates between Leesburg and Alexandria and four from Leesburg to Georgetown.

The outbreak of the Civil War in 1861 interrupted both general road maintenance and the collection of tolls, and by the early 1870s, the operation of turnpikes in Loudoun and Fairfax County, including Leesburg Turnpike, was abandoned. These routes functioned as standard county roads until 1910 when the Virginia General Assembly authorized the incorporation of the Washington and Leesburg Turnpike Company.

Acquisition information:
Purchased from Jerry Showalter by Lynn Eaton.
Processing information:

Processing completed by Meghan Glasbrenner in September 2023. Finding aid completed by Meghan Glasbrenner in September 2023.

Arrangement:

This is a single item collection.

Physical location:
R 72, C 3, S 6
Rules or conventions:
Describing Archives: A Content Standard

Indexed terms

Subjects:
Tolls
Places:
Leesburg (Va.)
Virginia, Northern