Bethesda in Montgomery County, Maryland — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
The Dalecarlia Tunnel
Photographed By Bernard Fisher, November 8, 2021
1. Dalecarlia Tunnel Marker
Inscription.
The Dalecarlia Tunnel. . In the nineteenth century, boats along the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal transported coal from Cumberland, Maryland to Georgetown in the District of Columbia. By the early twentieth century, trains had replaced boats as a means of transportation and western Pennsylvania had replaced Cumberland as the source of coal. This spur route used by the Baltimore and Ohio, America's first railroad, later to become part of the CSX Corporation, followed the river downstream to Georgetown passing under MacArthur Boulevard by means of the Dalecarlia Tunnel. The Roman arch brick tunnel is 18 feet wide by 341 feet long. Architectural features of note are the four "step backs” or "duck ins” in the tunnel providing protection to track walkers caught in the tunnel at train time. The construction date, 1910, is prominent in the brick at both entrances to the tunnel. The 1948 photograph of the south entrance to the Dalecarlia Tunnel is by E.L. Thompson
In the nineteenth century, boats along the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal transported coal from Cumberland, Maryland to Georgetown in the District of Columbia. By the early twentieth century, trains had replaced boats as a means of transportation and western Pennsylvania had replaced Cumberland as the source of coal. This spur route used by the Baltimore and Ohio, America's first railroad, later to become part of the CSX Corporation, followed the river downstream to Georgetown passing under MacArthur Boulevard by means of the Dalecarlia Tunnel. The Roman arch brick tunnel is 18 feet wide by 341 feet long. Architectural features of note are the four "step backs” or "duck ins” in the tunnel providing protection to track walkers caught in the tunnel at train time. The construction date, 1910, is prominent in the brick at both entrances to the tunnel.
The 1948 photograph of the south entrance to the
Dalecarlia Tunnel is by E.L. Thompson
Erected by The Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission, Department of Park and Planning, Montgomery County, Maryland.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Railroads & Streetcars. A significant historical year for this entry is 1910.
Location. 38° 56.627′ N, 77° 6.953′ W. Marker is in Bethesda, Maryland
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, in Montgomery County. Marker is on Capital Crescent Trail, 1.7 miles south of River Road (Maryland Route 190), on the right when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Bethesda MD 20816, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Credits. This page was last revised on November 9, 2021. It was originally submitted on November 9, 2021, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia. This page has been viewed 339 times since then and 52 times this year. Photos:1, 2. submitted on November 9, 2021, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia.
