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The Private Provision of Frontier Infrastructure: Toll Roads in California, 1850-1902

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  • Klein, Daniel B.
  • Yin, Chi

Abstract

With county and state government unable to effect road improvement, California lawmakers immediately opened the field to private initiative. At least 159 private companies successfully built and operated toll roads in California. Compared to earlier toll roads in the eastern U.S., the California roads were concentrated in ownership and more profit-oriented in operation. Even so, the quest for mere road improvement was often also an important impetus for taking toll road stock. Voluntary association assumed the corporate form to achieve its several goals.

Suggested Citation

  • Klein, Daniel B. & Yin, Chi, 1994. "The Private Provision of Frontier Infrastructure: Toll Roads in California, 1850-1902," University of California Transportation Center, Working Papers qt3bc2s8vk, University of California Transportation Center.
    • Handle: RePEc:cdl:uctcwp:qt3bc2s8vk
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Majewski, John & Baer, Christopher & Klein, Daniel B., 1993. "Responding to Relative Decline: The Plank Road Boom of Antebellum New York," The Journal of Economic History, Cambridge University Press, vol. 53(1), pages 106-122, March.
    2. Handlin, Oscar & Handlin, Mary F., 1945. "Origins of the American Business Corporation," The Journal of Economic History, Cambridge University Press, vol. 5(1), pages 1-23, May.
    3. Klein, Daniel B, 1990. "The Voluntary Provision of Public Goods? The Turnpike Companies of Early America," Economic Inquiry, Western Economic Association International, vol. 28(4), pages 788-812, October.
    4. Klein, Daniel B. & Fielding, Gordon J., 1992. "Private Toll Roads: Learning from the 19th Century," University of California Transportation Center, Working Papers qt1ps0p68g, University of California Transportation Center.
    5. Klein, Daniel & Majewski, John, 1991. "Promoters and Investors In Antebellum America: The Spread of Plank Road Fever," University of California Transportation Center, Working Papers qt36j3r2jk, University of California Transportation Center.
    6. repec:hoo:wpaper:e-89-14 is not listed on IDEAS
    7. Kein, Daniel B. & Majewski, John, 1994. "Plank Road Fever in Antebellum America: New York State Origins," University of California Transportation Center, Working Papers qt034182mk, University of California Transportation Center.
    8. Benson, Bruce L, 1994. "Are Public Goods Really Common Pools? Considerations of the Evolution of Policing and Highways in England," Economic Inquiry, Western Economic Association International, vol. 32(2), pages 249-271, April.
    9. Klein, Daniel & Majewski, John, 1991. "Economy, Community and Law: The Turnpike Movement in New York, 1797-1845," University of California Transportation Center, Working Papers qt61b022cr, University of California Transportation Center.
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