The History of Georgia Roads and Highways Highways There seems to be a difference of opinion as to the first public road in Georgia. Some writers say that it was the road from Savannah to Whitefield’s orphan house, nine miles distant. Augusta was settled in 1735 and one of the first acts was to open a road to Savannah. The orphan house was not commenced until 1840, so that it is probable that the first road was that leading from Savannah to Augusta. Other highways followed as new settlements were founded, though these early roads were little more than bridle paths through the woods. As the settlements were extended back from the sea-coast roads of a more pretentious nature were established. In the early part of the nineteenth century some of the highways were opened by stage companies. (See Stage Routes). The roads of Georgia at the present time are, generally speaking, as good as those of any other state, many of them being graveled or macadamized. (Georgia: Comprising Sketches of Counties, Towns, Events, Institutions, and Persons, Arranged in Cyclopedic Form. VOL III Publ. 1906. Transcribed by Angelia Carpenter)   ©Genealogy Trails