Milestone Markers

Public Art Project

Milestone by Advanced Art Students at Northern Middle School, led by Jennifer Wampler

Milestone by Artist
Sue Caldwell

Unfortunately, this milestone did not survive the elements and is currently not displayed.

The National Road

The National Road, built between 1811 and 1837, linked the eastern and western states in the first half of the 19th century and opened the Ohio River Valley and the Midwest for settlement and commerce. Also known as the Cumberland Road or National Turnpike, the National Road was the first road in U.S. history funded by the federal government. Running from Cumberland, Maryland to Vandalia, Illinois, the road promoted westward expansion, encouraged commerce between the Atlantic colonies and the West, and quite literally paved the way for an interstate highway system.

History of the National Road Milestone

During the construction of the National Road, Congress required that there be distinguishing marks at regular intervals to aid travelers. Thus, milestones were set at 1 mile intervals on the north side of the road during the construction of the National Road. Sadly, most of these milestones have not survived the years. This project replaces some of those milestones creating a historically inspired public art project for the community and visiting tourists to enjoy.

Selecting a Prototype

What is the best material for making replica milestones? We asked ourselves that same question and had several different prototypes made, each from a different material. We tested wood, steel, and high density foam.
Stainless steel (pictured) was selected for the project due to its strength, durability, and non-corrosive properties.

Our Partners

The Milestone Public Art Project is made possible through Public Art Across Maryland, a Maryland State Arts Council grant, funding through the Garrett County Arts Council, and the support of our community partners, including Realtor Duane Stein, II. Further, the Mountain Maryland Gateway to the West Heritage Area provided a mini-grant that supports The National Road Festival and many of its corresponding events, activities and entertainment enjoyed throughout the annual celebration.

A call for Artists

The second round for Milestones will begin in January 2026 with a Call for Artists. A link will be provided here when made public!