Halethorpe in Baltimore County, Maryland — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
The Relay House
Photographed By Allen C. Browne, April 23, 2017
1. The Relay House Marker
On this site in 1830 a hotel with a waiting room and ticket office was built to serve passengers of the B & O Railroad. Here horses were changed for the final 5-mile trip to Ellicott Mills. Hence the name Relay House. As the B & O Railroad grew the Relay House became an important stop for both east and westbound passengers. During the Civil War it was an important transportation hub for the Union Army and many soldiers were stationed here. After the war it was used as a summer resort. The original building was destroyed by fire in 1898. The present house was built in 1899 and was used as a hotel and bar until prohibition. It is now a private residence.Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Railroads & Streetcars • War, US Civil. In addition, it is included in the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad (B&O) series list.
Location. 39° 13.452′ N, 76° 42.653′ W. Marker is in Halethorpe, Maryland, in Baltimore County. Marker is at the intersection of Viaduct Avenue and Soouth Rolling Road
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Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. During the Civil War (about 600 feet away, measured in a direct line); A Rural Vacation Spot (about 700 feet away); Masterpiece of the Early B&O Railroad (about 700 feet away); The Thomas Viaduct (approx. 0.2 miles away); World War II (approx. 0.3 miles away); Great War (approx. 0.3 miles away); Relay (approx. 0.3 miles away); Patapsco Valley State Park (approx. half a mile away).
Photographed By Allen C. Browne, April 23, 2017
2. The Relay House Marker
Photographed By Allen C. Browne, April 23, 2017
3. Relay Hotel
Photographed By Allen C. Browne, April 23, 2017
4. Relay Hotel
Photographed By Allen C. Browne, April 23, 2017
5. Relay Hotel
Photographed By Allen C. Browne, April 23, 2017
6. Relay Hotel
Private Residence
Private Residence
Photographed By Allen C. Browne, April 23, 2017
7. Viaduct Avenue and South Rolling Road
The road along the tracks, here labeled South Rolling Road, is also called Railroad Avenue.
Internet Archive
8. Relay House, 1882
Engraving by artist T. Moran and engraver J. Karst from Picturesque B&O, 1882 by J. G. Pangborn. This Hotel/Station, built in 1830, was located north of the present hotel building near the Viaduct Monument, visible on the left in this engraving.
Credits. This page was last revised on August 29, 2020. It was originally submitted on April 24, 2017, by Allen C. Browne of Silver Spring, Maryland. This page has been viewed 1,709 times since then and 301 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8. submitted on April 24, 2017, by Allen C. Browne of Silver Spring, Maryland. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.
