Plank Road

In 1836, during construction of Monticello Seminary, Benjamin Godfrey saw a need to build a road connecting Monticello to the local quarry and Lower Alton. Workers used oak timbers from Godfrey's land to create a plank road that began at 4th and Belle streets in downtown Alton and led north to the toll house at "Five Points" near 16th and Belle streets. The road continued northwest to what is now U.S. Highway 67/Godfrey Road and then north to Godfrey's mansion. There was another toll house on the grounds of the Seminary. Travelers paid a five-cent round trip fee. The five-mile stretch provided the shortest route from Monticello to Lower Alton and made it much easier for farmers to transport their goods to the river.

Alton, Illinois · United States