Hagerstown in Washington County, Maryland — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Hagerstown Railway
Photographed by Allen C. Browne, April 7, 2019
1. Hagerstown Railway Marker
The only trolley system to operate in Washington County was started with the creation of the Hagerstown Railway in 1896. It consisted of a loop around the outer edges of town, and crossing lines that ran north-south on Potomac Street and east-west on Washington Street. A branch also extended service to Willliamsport and in 1897, service was extended to Funkstown. By 1902, an extension was completed to Boonsboro, and in 1904, the railway extended to Myersville where it connected with the trolley system that served Frederick. The Hagerstown and Frederick Railway was one of only a few inter-urban trolley systems in the nation.
Demand for trolley service declined with the explosion of private automobile ownership, the establishment of US Route 40 and bus service. The last active trolley in Washington County was the line that ran between Hagerstown and Williamsport. Service ended on this line in 1947.
This building served as the trolley barn for the Hagerstown Railway.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Railroads & Streetcars.
Location. 39° 38.302′ N, 77° 43.59′ W. Marker is in Hagerstown, Maryland, in Washington County. It is on Summit Avenue, on the right when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 270 Summit Avenue, Hagerstown MD 21740, United States of America. Touch for directions.
this page online
Regionally, this marker is in the Baltimore Metro Region and in Western Maryland. It is also in the American Mid-Atlantic, in Appalachia, and specifically in Northern Appalachia. Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region, North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once one of the original Thirteen Colonies.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Photo Marathon (within shouting distance of this marker); Railroads (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Mary Titcomb (about 400 feet away); Railroad Switch, 2017 (about 500 feet away); The Clara Barton Memorial (about 500 feet away); Milling (about 600 feet away); 202 South Prospect Street (about 700 feet away); Mφller's Sustained Wind (about 700 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Hagerstown.
Photographed by Allen C. Browne, April 7, 2019
2. Hagerstown Railway Marker
Photographed by Allen C. Browne, April 7, 2019
3. Car Barn - Hagerstown Railway
Photographed by Allen C. Browne, April 7, 2019
4. 1898
1947
5. The Last Trolley To Run in Washington County
The last trolley run in 1947 was the subject of commemoration and fanfare, as shown by the wording painted across the front of the streetcar.Close-up of photo on marker
circa 1940
6. The Funkstown Car,
circa 1940.
circa 1940.
1935
7. Inside a Hagerstown Streetcar 1935
Maryland Cracker Barrel MagazineClose-up of photo on marker
Credits. This page was last revised on January 11, 2026. It was originally submitted on April 8, 2019, by Allen C. Browne of Silver Spring, Maryland. This page has been viewed 599 times since then and 30 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on April 8, 2019, by Allen C. Browne of Silver Spring, Maryland. 7. submitted on April 9, 2019, by Allen C. Browne of Silver Spring, Maryland. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.
