Stonington in New London County, Connecticut — The American Northeast (New England)
First Railroad Operated in Connecticut
Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, June 14, 2017
1. First Railroad Operated in Connecticut Marker
marks the right of way
of the
First Railroad
Operated in Connecticut
chartered May 1832
Opened for Service
between Providence and
Stonington Steamboat Dock
November 10, 1837
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Railroads & Streetcars. A significant historical date for this entry is November 10, 1837.
Location. 41° 20.11′ N, 71° 54.346′ W. Marker is in Stonington, Connecticut, in New London County. Marker is on Main Street south of Pearl Street, on the right when traveling north. Marker is located near the sidewalk, directly in front of the United Church of Stonington. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 67 Main Street, Stonington CT 06378, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Dr. Silas Holmes House (within shouting distance of this marker); Thomas Howe House (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Stonington Land Battery (about 600 feet away); The Defenders Of The Fort (approx. ¼ mile away); Stonington Community Garden (approx. 0.4 miles away); World War I Memorial (approx. 0.4 miles away); Veterans Memorial (approx. 0.4 miles away); John W. Richmond (approx. half a mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Stonington.
this page online
More about this marker. Marker is a metal tablet mounted on a large granite boulder.
Also see . . . Steam Railroads Transform Connecticut Travel and Commerce.
As the potential of the steam engine became apparent in the late 18th century, men looked for ways to apply steam power to overland transportation. Ultimately, it was the perfection of the steam locomotive, and the low rolling friction of running metal wheels over metal rails, that made steam-powered transportation on land possible and unleashed the full power of the Industrial Revolution. Connecticut chartered its first railroads in 1832, and by the end of the 19th century about two dozen railroad corporations had built approximately 1,000 miles of main line track within the state. (Submitted on March 19, 2018, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)
Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, June 14, 2017
2. First Railroad Operated in Connecticut Marker (tall view)
Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, June 14, 2017
3. First Railroad Operated in Connecticut Marker (wide view; church in background)
Credits. This page was last revised on February 10, 2023. It was originally submitted on March 19, 2018, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 220 times since then and 11 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on March 19, 2018, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.
