The History of Columbia Turnpike

Did you know that Columbia Pike is a ‘Pike’ because it used to be a toll road?

Tolls were collected at tollhouses where the road was barred by a long pole or pike, which had to be turned to allow passage.

And prior to turnpikes, local property owners were liable for the upkeep of roadways.

Learn more about the history of Columbia Pike and other turnpikes in the new Columbia Pike: The History of an Early Turnpike (pdf), written by John Paul Liebertz, a volunteer for the Arlington County Historic Preservation Office.