Two-thirds of the people still lived on or near rivers and the coast. But already nearly 400,000 people lived west of the Allegheny Mountains. In 1790 the centre of population had been east of Baltimore by 1800 it had moved 18 miles west of that city.

US History in 1800 for kids: Cities and Towns
The US History in 1800: In 1800 the largest city in the United States of America was Philadelphia. The town of Philadelphia had a population of 70,000 people. New York was the second largest city in terms of population. Other cities in the US were much smaller at this time with populations less than 30,000 people. For additional facts refer to the History of Urbanization in America

US History in 1800 for kids: Government in Washington
The US History in 1800: The new US capital and seat of government had been moved from Philadelphia to Washington. But the new capital in Washington was only just being constructed. In 1800 Washington consisted of one long, wide street which had been called Pennsylvania Avenue. The design of Pennsylvania Avenue led from the unfinished Capitol to the unfinished White House. Congress held its sessions in a temporary wooden building. The remainder of Washington consisted of a few inexpensively built and very uncomfortable boarding houses.

US History in 1800 for kids: Travel by Road
The US History in 1800: Traveling in the early days of the 1800's was extremely arduous, time consuming and difficult. Before 1800, sea routes, basic post routes, and a few navigable rivers were the only ways to cover long distances. There were no links the East Coast to lands beyond the Appalachian Mountains. Travel was undertaken by road on horseback in coaches or by water. On a good day it might be possible to cover an area of 40 miles, however a distance of 25 miles was the average amount of distance that could be covered in one day. In the year 1800 the time required for the trip  along the post route from Portland, Maine to Louisville in Georgia took 20 days.

The stage coach was the most common form of transport. A stage coach might carry 12 people, all cramped into one wagon. Stage coaches were basic providing uncomfortable travel jolting over rough roads.  Only leather flaps, buttoned to the roof and sides, of the stage coach protected travelers from the heat and dust of the summer to the severe cold and snow of the winter. South of the Potomac River there were no public stage coaches available and travelers had no alternative but to ride on horseback. The early inns provided stopping points for travelers but these were generally uncomfortable and supplied poor food.

The first turnpike opened in 1794 between Lancaster and Philadelphia. For additional facts and information about later transportation refer to Construction of the Cumberland Road, the History of the Turnpikes, the Horse Car, the Santa Fe Trail and the Oregon Trail.

US History in 1800 for kids: The Railroads came later...
The info about the US History in 1800 provides interesting facts and important information about important events and the progress of the United States during the early presidency of the 3rd President of the United States of America. The development of the railways started later in the 1830's, for facts and info refer to the Railroads in the 1800s.

US History in 1800 for kids: Travel by Water
The US History in 1800: Whenever it was possible the traveler went by water. Sea travel was dangerous and navigation was difficult as there were few lighthouses and there were no public buoys to guide the sailors. Travel by river was a better option and early pioneers, leaving Pittsburg, floated down the Ohio River in flatboats and settled Cincinnati. Other travelers went farther down the river to Louisville, in Kentucky, and others founded the cities of Wheeling and Marietta. Flatboats, popularly referred to as 'Flats', were flat-bottomed boats without keels that navigated the Mississippi, Tennessee and Cumberland Rivers. They were important forms of transportation carrying produce to markets throughout the state and transporting passengers. For additional facts and information refer to the Steamboats of the 1800's and the Erie Canal.