Martinsburg in Berkeley County, West Virginia — The American South (Appalachia)

Baltimore and Ohio Railroad Shop Complex

Photographed by Tom Fuchs, June 16, 2007

1. Baltimore and Ohio Railroad Shop Complex Marker

Inscription. The roundhouse is the sole surviving cast-iron framed roundhouse and is an important example of mid-19th century industrial building design. Designed by Albert Fink, in collaboration with Benjamin H. Latrobe, it represents an early use of standardized, prefabricated iron structural elements to create an efficient and fire-resistant building.

Constructed 1866-1867 • National Historic Civil Engineering Landmark

Erected 2006 by American Society of Civil Engineers.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Industry & Commerce • Railroads & Streetcars. In addition, it is included in the ASCE Civil Engineering Landmarks, and the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad (B&O) series lists.

Location. 39° 27.59′ N, 77° 57.679′ W. Marker is in Martinsburg, West Virginia, in Berkeley County. It is on East Race Street east of North Spring Street, on the left when traveling east. Marker is near the Belle Boyd House. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Martinsburg WV 25401, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the Eastern Panhandle.

It is also in the American South,

specifically in the Upper South,

in Appalachia,

and specifically in Northern Appalachia. Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture

and also the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Martinsburg Roundhouse (here, next to this marker); Baltimore and Ohio Roundhouse and Shop Complex (here, next to this marker); Belle Boyd House

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(within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named Belle Boyd House (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named Berkeley Hotel (about 400 feet away); Belle Boyd (about 500 feet away); Armed Forces Memorial (about 500 feet away); Apollo Theater (about 600 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Martinsburg.

Other markers no longer nearby. Martinsburg Roundhouse (was here, next to this marker but has been replaced with another marker now near it); a different marker also named Belle Boyd House (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been replaced with another marker now near it); Berkeley Hotel (was about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line but has been replaced with another marker now near it).

Also see . . .
1. East End: B & O's Neck of the Bottle, Harpers Ferry to Cumberland 1842 - 1992. (Submitted on May 2, 2008, by Tom Fuchs of Greenbelt, Maryland.) This website may earn income if you use this link to make a purchase on Amazon.com.
2. Baltimore and Ohio in West Virginia (Images of Rail). (Submitted on May 2, 2008, by Tom Fuchs of Greenbelt, Maryland.) This website may earn income if you use this link to make a purchase on Amazon.com.
3. Baltimore and Ohio Railroad in the Potomac Valley (Golden Years of Railroading). (Submitted on May 2, 2008, by Tom Fuchs of Greenbelt, Maryland.) This website may earn income if you use this link to make a purchase on Amazon.com.
4. Baltimore and Ohio Railroad (Railroad Color History). (Submitted on May 2, 2008, by Tom Fuchs of Greenbelt, Maryland.) This website may earn income if you use this link to make a purchase on Amazon.com.
5. Baltimore and Ohio Railroad (MBI Railroad Color History). (Submitted on May 2, 2008, by Tom Fuchs of Greenbelt, Maryland.) This website may earn income if you use this link to make a purchase on Amazon.com.
6. Baltimore and Ohio's Capitol Limited and National Limited (Great Passenger Trains). (Submitted on May 2, 2008, by Tom Fuchs of Greenbelt, Maryland.) This website may earn income if you use this link to make a purchase on Amazon.com.
7. Route of the National Limited (Baltimore and Ohio Passenger Service, Volume 1)

Three Markers Overlooking the Shops image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Tom Fuchs, June 16, 2007

2. Three Markers Overlooking the Shops

Markers on a rise across the railroad tracks from the shops, across from the Belle Boyd Complex. The train station is to the right. One of the roundhouses is behind the tree.

. (Submitted on May 2, 2008, by Tom Fuchs of Greenbelt, Maryland.) This website may earn income if you use this link to make a purchase on Amazon.com.
8. Route of the Capitol Limited (Baltimore and Ohio Passenger Service, Volume 2). (Submitted on May 2, 2008, by Tom Fuchs of Greenbelt, Maryland.) This website may earn income if you use this link to make a purchase on Amazon.com.
9. The Great Road: The Building of the Baltimore and Ohio, The Nation's First Railroad 1828 - 1853. (Submitted on May 2, 2008, by Tom Fuchs of Greenbelt, Maryland.) This website may earn income if you use this link to make a purchase on Amazon.com.
10. Baltimore and Ohio Cabooses. Volume 1: Photos and Diagrams. (Submitted on May 2, 2008, by Tom Fuchs of Greenbelt, Maryland.) This website may earn income if you use this link to make a purchase on Amazon.com.
11. B & O Caboose Diagram Book. (Submitted on May 2, 2008, by Tom Fuchs of Greenbelt, Maryland.) This website may earn income if you use this link to make a purchase on Amazon.com.

B&O Wooden Caboose No. C1913 and Shop Building image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Tom Fuchs, June 16, 2007

3. B&O Wooden Caboose No. C1913 and Shop Building

This building is between the East and West Roundhouses.

Shop Building Between East and West Roundhouses image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Tom Fuchs, June 16, 2007

4. Shop Building Between East and West Roundhouses

Ruins of East Roundhouse image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Tom Fuchs, June 16, 2007

5. Ruins of East Roundhouse

Cast Iron Door Frame Bumper image. Click for full size.

Photographed by J. J. Prats, June 16, 2007

6. Cast Iron Door Frame Bumper

Reads: “B&O R R Co 1866”.

Credits. This page was last revised on August 25, 2025. It was originally submitted on June 19, 2007, by Tom Fuchs of Greenbelt, Maryland. This page has been viewed 2,854 times since then and 24 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on June 19, 2007, by Tom Fuchs of Greenbelt, Maryland. • J. J. Prats was the editor who published this page.