Responding to Relative Decline: The Plank Road Boom of Antebellum New York

17 Pages Posted: 8 Jan 2004

See all articles by John Majewski

John Majewski

University of California, Santa Barbara (UCSB) - Department of Economics

Christopher T. Baer

Hagley Museum and Library

Daniel B. Klein

George Mason University - Department of Economics; George Mason University - Mercatus Center

Abstract

From 1847 to 1853 New Yorkers built more than 3,500 miles of wooden roads. Financed primarily by residents of declining rural townships, plank roads were seen as a means of linking isolated areas to the canal and railroad network. A broad range of individuals invested in the roads, suggesting that the drive for bigger markets was supported by a large cross section of the population. Considerable commuity spirit animated the movement, indicating that New Yorkers used to social capital of the community to reach their entrepreneurial aspirations.

Keywords: public goods, free riding, community, regulation, voluntary provision, plank roads

Suggested Citation

Majewski, John and Baer, Christopher T. and Klein, Daniel B., Responding to Relative Decline: The Plank Road Boom of Antebellum New York. Journal of Economic History Journal of Economic History, Vol. 53, No. 1, March 1993, pp. 106-122, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=474903

John Majewski

University of California, Santa Barbara (UCSB) - Department of Economics ( email )

2127 North Hall
Santa Barbara, CA 93106
United States

Christopher T. Baer

Hagley Museum and Library ( email )

P.O. Box 3630
Wilmington, DE 19807
United States

Daniel B. Klein (Contact Author)

George Mason University - Department of Economics ( email )

4400 University Drive
Fairfax, VA 22030
United States

HOME PAGE: http://economics.gmu.edu/people/dklein

George Mason University - Mercatus Center ( email )

3434 Washington Blvd., 4th Floor
Arlington, VA 22201
United States

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