National Road 

 Just a few minuates from my home, [Dallas Pike] under Interstate 70 and down the hill riyte41 to National road, about 4 miles stands the Old Stone House. It was built in 1820, it happens to be one of the few survivors of the historic National Road. Throughout the years it's served as a tavern, stagecoach stop, railroad stop, beer joint, and office. It's been built onto many times and cosmetically its appearance has changed over the years, not to mention the surrounding environment. This stone giant has witnessed the horse and buggy, rail, and automobile. As of late I discovered The Stone House served as the end of the line stop for Wheeling's steam train, a sort of old fashioned bus route. Below is a photo of The Stone House. 

 Moses Shepherd. Moses and Lydia were survivors of the early western frontier and Indian attacks, mostly notably the 1782 attack on Fort Henry, the last battle of the American Revolution. Moses was also a veteran of the war of 1812, colonel, prominent citizen, sat on the town council, and served as mayor of Wheeling. While serving Wheeling Moses and his wife Lydia frequented Washington D.C. to visit, lobby, and shop. The Shepherd’s estate during the early 19th century was by far the most lavish showcase in the northern panhandle of West Virginia (then Virginia). Along with Shepherd hall the grounds consisted of a stone barn, guest house, detached kitchen, tavern, and a long row of slave quarters. Today the only surviving structure is the mansion. At one time there was a monument to Henry Clay and a elaborate sundial, each of sandstone sculpture which explains why they no longer exist. Shepherd Hall is also important because of the people who visited there. Henry Clay may have not been the most “famous” visitor of Shepherd Hall, but he was by far the most frequent. Clay supported to National Road as did the Shepherds and they had a strong friendship. During Clay’s commute to and from Washington D.C. he would usually stop at Shepherd Hall where he had his own bedroom.The National Road has played an important part in the development of the United States. For one hundred and ninety-five years the road has been building a nation while introducing tourists from all over the world to the sublime of America. The National Road has gone through various stages such as conception, westward expansion, competition from railroads, automobile rebirth, and again competition from faster interstate highways. 

The Beginning: In 1806 a group of prominent statesman set out to influence congress about the need for better roads. Statesmen such as Henry Clay observed this importance through his travels from Kentucky to Washington D.C. while serving in the House of Representatives and later in the Senate. Other leading citizens such as Moses and Lydia Shepherd who resided just a few miles outside of Wheeling, WV recognized the importance of a major road. Although everyone had different motivations for building the road, almost everyone was in favor of having better transportation to Washington D.C. whether it was for political reasons, to shop, visit the theatre, or to mingle among other distinguished citizens and businessmen. During the early nineteenth century it was believed that the federal government should stay out of building roads, but men such as George Washington, who knew the Appalachian region well, and Thomas Jefferson considered the mercantile aspects that a road could bring. If the United States were to expand, efficient transportation would be needed. After much deliberation Jefferson authorized the building of the road on March 29, 1806. Actual construction of the road began in 1811 the road and reached Wheeling on August 1, 1818. Throughout the construction of the road there were numerous debates about where the route should be placed. For example, Pittsburgh lobbied for the road to run through the city. One of the most controversial decisions regarding the building of the road and was the route National Road follows through the section of Elm Grove, just outside of Wheeling, WV. Moses and Lydia Shepherd had constructed a stone mansion there in 1789.

The opening of the B.O. Railroad in Wheeling occurred on January 11, 1853. People of all ages came to Wheeling by steamboat, stagecoach, and foot to witness the trains arrival, quite an historic event to observe. Spectators were forced to wait on the trains arrival because of a minor accident. An axle-tree had broken and needed to be repaired, there were no injuries. The delay did not dampen spirits in Wheeling for the town was festively decorated and the famous Suspension Bridge across the Ohio River was lit with over a thousand lights. Finally, at 8:30 P.M. the first locomotive rolled into Wheeling carrying fifty passengers, most from Baltimore. While the city of Wheeling was celebrating this new and exciting technology of steam travel; stagecoach drivers, wagoners, and tavern owners were in complete dismay.