Turnstiles on Polish roads in 19th century

At least until the early forties of nineteenth century turnstiles, usually located at the entrances to villages or small settlements, operated on public roads of Kingdom of Poland. Usually they were opened after paying some forced fee.

According to the provincial government of Mazovia, issuing 18/30 May 1842 an order for final liquidation of these arriers, turnstiles "/.../obstructfree passage on public roads, would easily expose travellers to damage that can happen to them (or to opening these turnstiles children), and even give to young children an opportunity to reach out and get familiar with begging."

Realizing at the beginning of the forties of 19^th century these turnstiles were mostly present only in quite few Polish villages and settlements, the gubernial government of Masovia province ordered general liquidation of Mazovia of in any case they could be found. Deadline was set for 1^st of July 1842, and this date could be considered as turning point when the ultimate aim of eleminating from Polish transportation system barriers of turnstile kind was carried out, at least in Mazovia.

To force the implementation of its order, police and military department of gubernial government of Mazovia issued a warning (decision No 40046/8113) stating that any mayors of municipalitiy - where by 1^st of 1 July 1842 roadside turnstiles could be found - would pay penalty of the amount of 5 Polish zlotys (currency).