The Rockingham Turnpike
by Herman V. Longley, Jr.

Originally published in the Harrisonburg Rockingham Historical Society Newsletter
Fall, 1992, Volume 14, Number 4

Due to the inability of the young Commonwealth of Virginia to construct and maintain adequate roads in the 1700's and 1800's, the people began forming turnpike companies to meet the traveler's needs. The Rockingham Turnpike, now known as Route 33 East of Harrisonburg was one such company.

The "Rockingham Turnpike" was chartered March 18, 1850. The stock was subscribed to, two-fifths by the Commonwealth of Virginia and three-fifths by the sale of stock to the public.) Some historians reverse this to three-fifths Commonwealth and two-fifths public sale.) This arrangement required income to be produced, so the turnpike was chartered as a toll road. Due to hard times, the Rockingham Turnpike Company was sold at auction to Almond, Forres, and Stephans, three investors from Richmond, for ten thousand twenty-five dollars (10,025.00) in September 1960.

The state controlled the rate of toll that could be charged until September 1, 1918, when the Commonwealth of Virginia and the counties took over the road system of Virginia and eliminated the tolls. The toll keepers were residents living alongside the turnpike, with a pole (balanced across the road) that blocked passage until the proper toll was paid.

The Rockingham Turnpike, when chartered, ran from Harrisonburg to the top of the Blue Ridge Mountain at the Greene County line. Within the next three years, the turnpike absorbed the Swift Run Turnpike (from the top of the mountain to Stanardsville) and continued on to Gordonsville. The turnpike crossed one river (at Elkton), one mountain, and entered three counties: Rockingham, Greene, and Orange.

Four covered wooden bridges were constructed at Elkton, all falling victim to war and floods, and later two steel bridges. One of these fell to a flood before it was completed, and the last steel bridge outlasted the Turnpike organization.

The Rockingham Turnpike followed a route that had long been much traveled. On February 11, 2025 (New Calendar 1746), "William Pierce and Adam Miller were commissioned by the Augusta County Court, to view and mark a way from the top of the "Blew Ridge" at the head of Swift Run Gap to Capt. Downs's Place." At this time Capt. Downs lived at Port Republic.

This was the beginning of the 3-4 lane highway that follows generally the route laid out in 1745. This route closely followed the trail laid out by the "Northern Indians" and marked by blaze marks on the trees, as recorded by John Fontaine, one of General Spotswood's party, on September 6, 1716.

The Turnpike was a vital link for the troops of the War Between the States. They traveled it, fought over it, on it, and for it, and burned its bridge at Elkton; but it survived and its descendant serves us well today.

The traveler acquired food and lodging for his horse and himself at the tavern or "ordinary", usually located from ten to fifteen miles apart. He could obtain transportation by stagecoach and later by bus, until about ten or twenty years ago. Now he must furnish his own mode of travel, as no bus routs travel this road. The ordinary and tavern have also gone the way of the stagecoach, with few motels and restaurants available, except in or near towns.

It would take many volumes to record the events of sadness, happiness, and tragedy taking pace on this Turnpike.

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