Brunswick in Frederick County, Maryland — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
One Time Rivals
B&O Railroad and C&O Canal
The Brunswick Railroad Museum and the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historic Park Visitor Center exist side by side today, just as the transportation modes did when first arriving here in 1834. However, the early relationship between canal and railroad was stormy at best.
The Chesapeake and Ohio (C&O) Canal was a continuation of George Washington’s vision for a vital route west to help unify the country and to benefit the Nation’s Capitol. Not willing to accept trade superiority over their neighbors in Washington D.C., the merchants of Baltimore began researching a new transportation route to supplant the legendary National Road.
After discovering that a canal connection from Baltimore to the Potomac River (eventually leading to the Ohio River Valley) was financially impractical, they decided to build a road on rails. Ground was broken for both the C&O Canal and the Baltimore and Ohio (B&O) Railroad on the same day, July 4, 1828. This officially began the larger competition, between Baltimore and Washington, D.C., and race to the west. The B&O Railroad arrived here in 1834 and simply passed through, leaving only a tool shed and a small section gang. The canal had a much greater impact on the town, as the “Grand Old Ditch” afforded work for many residents over the next fifty years.
The B&O would reign supreme when it constructed major freight yards here in the 1890’s. From that time on, the C&O Canal declined while the B&O Railroad grew considerably and quickly turned Brunswick into a railroad boomtown.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Railroads & Streetcars • Waterways & Vessels. In addition, it is included in the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad (B&O), and the Chesapeake and Ohio (C&O) Canal series lists. A significant historical month for this entry is July 1860.
Location. 39° 18.786′ N, 77° 37.692′ W. Marker is in Brunswick, Maryland, in Frederick County. Marker is on West Potomac Street. This marker is located next to the Brunswick Visitor Center. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 40 West Potomac Street, Brunswick MD 21716, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Gordon N. Wakefield (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Brunswick (about 300 feet away); Train No. 286 Bell Memorial (about 400 feet away); Veterans Memorial (about 400 feet away); Brunswick River Mural (about 400 feet away); From Dirt Path to Main Street (about 400 feet away); a different marker also named Brunswick (about 400 feet away); Iraq / Afghanistan Veterans Memorial (about 400 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Brunswick.
Credits. This page was last revised on June 27, 2023. It was originally submitted on November 5, 2012, by Don Morfe of Baltimore, Maryland. This page has been viewed 465 times since then and 12 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on November 5, 2012, by Don Morfe of Baltimore, Maryland. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.