The Road and the Roadside

"The Road and the Roadside" by Burton Willis Potter is a detailed exploration of road construction and upkeep, penned in the late 1800s. It looks at how important roads are to society, covering legal, historical, and real-world details about how roads are used and cared for, especially regarding Massachusetts laws. The author's goal is to encourage strong road-building methods and show how much rural living should be valued, explaining that roads that are in good condition greatly add to society's growth and personal contentment. The writing starts by noting the long history of roads, mapping their part as signs of civilization from old empires to today's communities. Great examples such as Roman roads and their effect on trade and talking to others are discussed, along with highlighting the poor condition of roads during less developed eras. The beginning part lays the basis for Potter's point about the crucial requirement for better road systems, implying that the condition of roads mirrors the wider condition of a community, both in social interactions and income.