Indiana's Main Street: Images from The National Road, U.S. Hwy. 40.
A suite of twenty paintings of places along the Old National Road, now U.S. 40. The National Road was proposed in George Washington's time and finally became a reality during the Jefferson administration. The road was surveyed through Indiana starting in 1827 and the work completed in 1834. Only Centerville, Indianapolis and Terre Haute existed at the time, but many new towns immediately sprang up. The road was heavily traveled--two hundred wagons a day made their way West. Inns flourished at the rate of one per mile. The road fell into much less use with the rise of rail transport, but enjoyed another boom time as the automobile became America's passion. In Indiana the National Road has become a local convenience since the Interstate system bypassed the small towns. It is sometimes busy, sleepy, historic, funny, beautiful and funky. I hope these paintings capture some of that.
Funded in part by an individual artists grant from the Indiana Arts Commission.
Click an image to enlarge. Use up to return here.
A few of the paintings are still available for purchase. Click on the thumbnail.
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