York in York County, Pennsylvania — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Western Maryland Freight Depot
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York benefited from the convergence of the spider web of branches from the Pennsylvania Railroad (PRR), the Maryland & Pennsylvania (Ma & Pa) and the Western Maryland (WM). Numerous support buildings were built and maintained in the area. Pictured is the former Western Maryland Freight depot located on North George Street. The office building and freight station behind it were built in 1895.
The Maryland and Pennsylvania Railroad was organized in 1901, formed through the consolidation of The Baltimore and Lehigh Railway Company and the York Southern Railroad Company. The Baltimore and Lehigh owned and operated the standard gauge railroad extending from Baltimore, Maryland to Delta, Pennsylvania, a distance of 44 miles. The York Southern owned and operated the railroad extending from Delta to York, Pennsylvania, a distance of 34 miles.
The Ma & Pa continued to operate between Baltimore and York until the fall of 1958, when the Railroad abandoned the original Maryland division. Completion of state roads and competing bus service transferred much freight and passenger traffic from the railroad. The Maryland portion of the line mainly serviced milk delivery and passengers. As these needs disappeared, so did the need for the railroad.
In 1971, the railroad was purchased by Amfre-Grant, which changed its
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In the early 1990's, it purchased the former Western Maryland line from YOrk to Porters Sideling, where it connects with the remainder of the old "Dutch Line". Emons created Yorkrail as a sister railroad of the Ma & Pa, and provides a connection with CSX. In the past few years, it combined the Maryland and Pennsylvania Railroad and Yorkrail into the York Railway Company which operates in York over the remaining Ma & Pa and Yorkrail trackage. (Marker Number 10.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Railroads & Streetcars. In addition, it is included in the Pennsylvania Railroad (PRR) series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1895.
Location. 39° 58.017′ N, 76° 43.794′ W. Marker is in York, Pennsylvania, in York County. It is on North George Street (Business Interstate 83) north of East North Street, on the right when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 319 North George Street, York PA 17401, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in South-Central Pennsylvania, specifically in Pennsylvania Dutch Country, in the Susquehanna Valley, and in Greater Harrisburg. It is also in the American Northeast and in the Mid-Atlantic. Globally, it is in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) Confederacy and also one of the original Thirteen Colonies.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Pullman Motor Car Company (within shouting distance of this marker); Brooks Robinson (within shouting
Credits. This page was last revised on October 24, 2024. It was originally submitted on October 24, 2024, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 138 times since then and 22 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on October 24, 2024, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.
