Why Are Some Roads Called Turnpikes?
Undoubtedly the name turnpike as applied to some roads arose from the fact that pikes or gates were set across the roads by the keeper or toll-collector. In addition to collecting tolls, it was a part of the toll-keeper’s business to keep the road in repair. His wages and other expenses for doing this were received from the tolls collected from the people who used the road to ride on in carriages, wagons, etc. In the early days the toll-collector was armed with a pike, a long-handled weapon with a sharp iron head, which he used to prevent people who travelled his road from going by without giving up their toll. Later on a swinging gate was built across the road, which made it unnecessary to use the pike, though the name was retained, for no one could pass while the gate barred the way. When the passerby had paid his tolls, the toll-collector opened the gate and let him pass. If he did not pay the gate remained closed and the driver had to turn back or decide to pay. Hence comes the name turnpike. In some parts of the country they call these toll roads.