Bel Air in Harford County, Maryland — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)

The Famous Ma & Pa

Photographed By Adam Margolis, December 27, 2023

1. The Famous Ma & Pa Marker

Inscription. The original name of the Ma & Pa was the narrow gauge Maryland Central Railroad that reached Bel Air in 1883. After merging with the York and Peach Bottom Railway in 1891, its name became the Baltimore and Leheigh Railroad. This meandering line with high trestles transitioned to standard gauge in 1901 becoming the Maryland and Pennsylvania Railroad fondly remember as the Ma & Pa. Running from Baltimore to York, it had 77.2 miles of track connecting two cities 47 miles apart as the crow flies.

Erected 2023 by Jack and Signe Shagena.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Railroads & Streetcars. A significant historical year for this entry is 1883.

Location. 39° 33.127′ N, 76° 21.718′ W. Marker is in Bel Air, Maryland, in Harford County. Marker is at the intersection of North Avenue and Running Creek Way, on the right when traveling west on North Avenue. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 4 North Ave, Bel Air MD 21014, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. MA & PA Heritage Trail (approx. 0.9 miles away); Built 1898 Liriodendron (approx. 1.1 miles away); MA and PA Heritage Trail (approx. 1.2 miles away); In Grateful Recognition (approx. 1.2 miles away); Historic Bel Air

Paid Advertisement

Click on the ad for more information.
Please report objectionable advertising to the Editor.

Click or scan to see
this page online

(approx. 1.2 miles away); Sacred to the Memory of the Men of Harford County (approx. 1.2 miles away); Frederick Ward Park (approx. 1.2 miles away); The Norris House (approx. 1.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Bel Air.

Photographed By Adam Margolis, December 27, 2023

2. The Famous Ma & Pa Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on December 29, 2023. It was originally submitted on December 27, 2023, by Adam Margolis of Mission Viejo, California. This page has been viewed 176 times since then and 21 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on December 27, 2023, by Adam Margolis of Mission Viejo, California. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.

Editor’s want-list for this marker. Clear, daylight photos of the marker and its context. • Can you help?