Catonsville in Baltimore County, Maryland — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)

The Catonsville Short Line Railroad

Photographed by Pete Skillman, July 25, 2025

1. The Catonsville Short Line Railroad Marker

Inscription. Completed in 1884, the Catonsville Short Line Railroad once ran seven trains daily to downtown Baltimore. Passenger service was discontinued in 1898 when the electric streetcar offered better options for travelers. By 1972, local institutions had stopped using coal and goods were being transported by trucks, and the railroad ceased operations.

In 1980, the Catonsville Historical Society (CHS) agreed to preserve this century-old cast iron railroad crossbuck sign, which was moved from the Short Line Railroad to their property at 1824 Frederick Road. When the CHS sold the Townsend House and Museum in 2021, they donated the sign to CRTT. In August 2023, the sign was moved to this park.

Thanks to those who made this possible.

Catonsville Historical Society
Catonsville Mellor, LP
Dan Donovan Family
Acosta Landscaping
Joe Shryock - Tanglewood LLC

Erected 2023 by Catonsville Rails To Trails.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Charity & Public Work • Railroads & Streetcars. A significant historical year for this entry is 1884.

Location. 39° 16.29′ N, 76° 44.001′ W. Marker is in Catonsville, Maryland, in

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Baltimore County. It is on Frederick Road, on the right when traveling east. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 745 Frederick Rd, Catonsville MD 21228, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Central Maryland.

It is also in the American Mid-Atlantic

and in the Chesapeake Bay Region.

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

and also the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Catonsville (within shouting distance of this marker); Catonsville Veterans Memorial (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); A Civil Rights Milestone (approx. ¼ mile away); Castle Thunder (approx. 0.3 miles away); Catonsville Nine (approx. 0.3 miles away); 6-Mile Marker on the National Road (approx. 0.4 miles away); Baltimore Regional Trail (approx. 0.4 miles away); History of the Catonsville Short Line (CSL) Railroad (approx. 0.6 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Catonsville.

Also see . . . Catonsville Rails To Trails. Website of the organization that erected this marker. (Submitted on July 25, 2025, by Pete Skillman of Townsend, Delaware.)

The Catonsville Short Line Railroad Marker - additional plaque image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Pete Skillman, July 25, 2025

2. The Catonsville Short Line Railroad Marker - additional plaque

The Catonsville Short Line Railroad Marker - wide view image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Pete Skillman, July 25, 2025

3. The Catonsville Short Line Railroad Marker - wide view

Credits. This page was last revised on July 25, 2025. It was originally submitted on July 25, 2025, by Pete Skillman of Townsend, Delaware. This page has been viewed 111 times since then and 26 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on July 25, 2025, by Pete Skillman of Townsend, Delaware.