Some of the earliest roads in Wareham were Indian trails and bridle paths. Did you know that Main Street was a simple path that ran along the river’s bank from the center to the Narrows? One of the earliest roads in 1774 Wareham is now Hathaway Street which runs from Lincoln Hill to Main Street.

In 1778, town meeting voted to lay out a road from the Meeting House on Center Park to the Narrows. This main thoroughfare was a dirt path but later was covered with oyster shells. Then in 1793 a lottery was held to raise money to build the Narrows Bridge. The bridge replaced the ferry and contained a draw since many of the vessels built in the shipyards needed to pass through.  Another early road was “Wookinco Way” which started at the river and led through the woods to Indian Neck, Great Neck, and Long Beach.

In the early 1800s, stagecoaches traveled to Wareham on these rough and rutted roads. The coach from Wareham to New Bedford took three hours.  Another stage coach brought travelers to Sandwich. All the coaches stopped at the local taverns to change horses or to provide food and rest for their occupants.

The first railroad came to Wareham around 1847. The Old Colony Railroad as it was known brought freight and passengers to town for many years. Several train stations around town were built as a result.