Etching from an 1840 stock certificate showing the original steam locomotive, dubbed Tom Thumb.

Etching from an 1840 stock certificate showing the original steam locomotive, dubbed Tom Thumb. Public domain image.

B&O Railroad

Fearing competition from the Erie Canal and the C&O Canal companies for moving goods to and from the Midwest, Baltimore business leaders invested in a new technology called the “railroad” in 1827, becoming the first city in America to offer this new type of transportation. Initially, horses pulled railcars, but the B&O quickly introduced steam locomotives that replaced the animals.

In 1828, James Maccubbin Carroll donated 10 acres from the northeast corner of Mount Clare’s grounds to the B&O to build their first station and maintenance yard. He also gave them the right-of-way to construct the country’s first commercial passenger rail line across his land. The branch began with a 13-mile span to Ellicott Mills, now known as Ellicott City. James invested in the B&O and eventually served as a director for the company.

Carrollton Viaduct

The first masonry railroad bridge built in the U.S. was an engineering marvel as it proved the feasibility of building viaducts to carry railroads across wide, deep valleys. It spans Gwynns Falls stream near Georgia plantation (modern day Carroll Park) with an 80-foot wide arch. It was named for Charles Carroll of Carrollton, a director of the B&O, and the last living signer of the Declaration of Independence. He laid the cornerstone on July 4, 1828. The viaduct is one of the world’s oldest railroad bridges still in use today.

B&O advertisement from 1864 highlighting that Civil War closures had ended and war damage had been repaired. From Wood’s Baltimore City Directory, courtesy of the University of Maryland, College Park.

B&O advertisement from 1864 highlighting that Civil War closures had ended and war damage had been repaired, from Wood’s Baltimore City Directory. Courtesy of the University of Maryland, College Park.

One of the earliest etchings of the Carrollton Viaduct, circa 1833. See the arched passage for carriage traffic on the far side of the bank, public domain image.

One of the earliest etchings of the Carrollton Viaduct, circa 1833. See the arched passage for carriage traffic on the far side of the bank. Public domain image.

The B&O marked the 100th anniversary of the Carrollton Viaduct, by reenacting the railroad’s transformation from horsepower to steam locomotion with original equipment. Also pictured is a 1929 state-of-the-art steam locomotive.

The B&O marked the 100th anniversary of the Carrollton Viaduct by reenacting the railroad’s transformation from horsepower to steam locomotion with original equipment. Also pictured is a 1929 state-of-the-art steam locomotive. Courtesy of the B&O Railroad Museum.

Aerial view of the Mount Clare Shops circa 1971. The Mount Clare Station is in front of the large circular building, known as the Roundhouse, seen at the center-right.

Aerial view of the Mount Clare Shops circa 1971. The Mount Clare Station is in front of the large circular building, known as the Roundhouse, seen at the center-right. Courtesy of the Library of Congress.

Mount Clare Shops

In 1830, the railroad purchased 15 additional acres from James Maccubbin Carroll to expand its maintenance facilities and passenger station, known initially as the West Pratt Street Depot. The complex was later renamed the Mount Clare Shops and Station.

At its height, the Mount Clare shops stretched more than 100 acres and included an ironworks, foundry, bridge fabrication shop, sawmill, and grain elevator. However, as America’s highway system and air travel infrastructure grew, passenger rail ridership fell sharply. By 1974, the B&O had closed and demolished much of the manufacturing facility. Forty acres of the original campus, including the historic Mount Clare Station built in 1851, are now part of the B&O Railroad Museum. After a series of mergers, B&O railroad became part of CSX Transportation in 1987.

B&O's Mount Clare Station, built in 1851.

Mount Clare Station, also known as the Mount Clare Depot, built in 1851 to serve the residents of Southwest Baltimore. Photo circa 1920s. Courtesy of the B&O Railroad Museum.

Demolition of the Mount Clare Shops brass foundry, circa 1968.

Demolition of the Mount Clare Shops brass foundry, circa 1968. Courtesy of the Library of Congress.

First Telegraph

The B&O also played a significant role in the development of long distance communication by participating in the country’s first public demonstration of the telegraph. On May 24, 1844, Samuel Morse transmitted a message 44 miles from Washington, D.C. to Baltimore. It was sent from the Supreme Court Chamber in the basement of the U.S. Capitol to the West Pratt Street Station using wires strung along the B&O tracks. The message “What hath God wrought!” was a biblical reference (Numbers 23:23) suggested by Annie Ellsworth, the daughter of a friend.

Samuel Morse sending the first telegraph as dictated by Annie Ellsworth from the U.S. Capitol to his colleague Alfred Vail in Baltimore.

Samuel Morse sending the first telegraph, as dictated by Annie Ellsworth, from the U.S. Capitol to his colleague Alfred Vail in Baltimore. Public domain image.