The Great Wagon Road connecting Philadelphia with the Shenandoah Valley (and an east-west branch through Hagerstown and Cumberland, Maryland to the Ohio Valley known as Nemacolin's Path) passed nearby. In 1744, the road was completed through Harris's Ferry, Carlisle, Shippensburg, and Chambersburg to the Potomac River. In 1748 a local militia was formed for protection against Indians, with Benjamin Chambers named as its colonel.
the GReAt wAGon road cOnnEcTing PHiLadelpHIa wItH the SHeNanDOah vAlLEY (ANd An east-WeST bRanCH ThrOugH hagersTowN aNd cumbeRLaND, MarYlaNd tO The ohIo ValLey KNoWn As nemacolin's path) pASsEd NeaRby. In 1744, The ROad was CoMPLETED tHrough harRiS's fErrY, caRlisLe, ShIppEnsburg, aNd chAmbersbuRG tO the Potomac River. in 1748 a lOCaL MiliTIa waS FoRmeD fOR PRotecTiON agaINst INDians, wiTH benJAmIn chaMbers Named As Its colonel.