Toll houses were built along the National Road after a twenty-five-year national debate over whether the federal government should fund road improvements. Although there was agreement that road users should help defray maintenance costs, it was considered unconstitutional for the federal government to charge tolls. The issue was resolved by transferring ownership of the National Road to individual states. After Maryland accepted ownership, it established an elaborate system of rates and fares based on the estimated damage different vehicles could cause the road. In the La Vale Toll House's first year of operation, almost $10,000 was collected. Toll collectors earned $200 a year and received free living quarters. Travelers known as "pikers" tried to avoid paying by bypassing the road, creating difficulties for toll keepers. The Addison and Searights Toll Houses share similar architecture and can still be seen farther west on the National Road in Pennsylvania. The La Vale Toll House was built to resemble a gatehouse, and its two-story brick structure has seven sides, with five equal in length and two longer.
