The Jacob’s Ladder Trail was originally traveled by native Americans of the Mahican and Woronoake tribes, Jacob’s Ladder Trail was the main route between Connecticut and Hudson River valleys. It was then updated in the 1700's by European settlers as a supply and travel route between Boston and Albany.
As time progressed, the original Jacob’s Ladder trail began to gain a name for itself at the hight of its use. Local lore is said that the trail “killed a man a week”. This is because that the trail it self went almost strait up the side of the Mountain and down the other side in a strait line.
On Sept.10, 1910 a new road was opened up that bypassed the mountain by going around it insted of strait up it. The day the new road was officially opened, it was a gala event. Auto clubs and spectators arrived from all over the north east to celebrate the monumental event. It was renowned as the first automobile mountain crossing road in the country, reaching and astonishing 1775 ft. at its peak.
To celebrate its opening, people brought stones and plaques from there hometowns to place as a monument to the achievements and future that this road would bring.
To us in the 21st century, this road, as it stands today, does not seam like a big deal, just another hill. We have rd’s that go way above that now and we still call them hills sometimes.
In 1910 it was a big deal since cars were nothing more then tin boxes with wheels and a small motor that sometimes needed to be driven backwards so the gas could get to the motor when going up hills.
Hope you like the little history lesson and take a moment to read the plaque that stands near the monument and cache.
