One Of The Oldest Roads In America Is Still Used In Upstate New York

As the first major region of America, the Northeast is a treasure trove of "firsts". So much of this area is chock-full of major pieces of history, that sometimes some are completely forgotten.

One such are of historical importance in Upstate New York wasn't exactly forgotten, but instead, has taken on a new life.

The Old Albany Post Road History

Starting in 1669, the New Netherland Government (which would eventually become New York State), built a postal route running between what would eventually become Albany and New York City. The road soon became the main highway between the two cities, and was incredibly valuable for the military, long-distance voyagers, and of course, postal workers.

From the 18th Century on, the road continued as a vital piece of Upstate New York and the Northeast's transportation, even being marked by the first Postmaster General, Mr. $100 himself, Benjamin Franklin.

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The Old Albany Post Road Today

Surprisingly, for a piece of infrastructure that was built over a century before the founding of our nation, the Old Albany Post Road is still active today. And no, I don't mean as a historical museum or trail (though it des have its fair share of that). I mean that this road is sill actively used as a road through Phillipstown, NY.

In 2012,the town moved to pave over the road, but faced considerable backlash, as this would effectively destroy a historic national monument. The protests from the community worked, and the road continues on the same way it was back in the mid-15th Century.