Ellicott City in Howard County, Maryland — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)

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B&O Railroad Station

Keep Supplies Moving

Photographed By Tom Fuchs, February 25, 2006

1. B&O Railroad Station Marker

Inscription. Click to hear the inscription.

One of the first railroads in the country, constructed in 1830 of wooden rails that carried horse-drawn cars, extended from Baltimore to Ellicott's Mills. This station was built the next year, and soon steel rails replaced wooden ones as the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad was constructed. The line became strategically important to the Union war effort in 1861, and the local Patapsco Guard were among the Federal troops that guarded the road. Supplies en route to the armies passed the station day and night. After the battles of Antietam and Gettysburg, prisoners were held here pending parole or transfer to prison camps. The war's human toll was vividly evident here after the Union defeat at the Monocacy River near Frederick, Maryland, as thousands of Federal Soldiers, casualties, and prisoners flowed through town both on foot and by train as they retreated to Baltimore.

Patapsco Guard. Local businessman Thomas McGowan began recruiting for the company named the Patapsco Guard in September 1861; he became its captain. The Guard assumed provost marshal duties in Ellicott's Mills until May 1862. They briefly served with the 3rd Maryland

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Infantry and marched to Harpers Ferry where they skirmished with Confederate troops. On June 2, the Patapsco Guard refused to enter Virginia on the grounds that they were a home guard raised to defend Maryland, not invade the South. Several men were dishonorably discharged for desertion. In 1863, the Guard fought a small engagement at Wrightsville, Pennsylvania, and then reported to Gettysburg after the battle to assist in guarding hospitals on the battlefield. In August 1865, they were mustered out of service.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Railroads & Streetcars • War, US Civil. In addition, it is included in the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad (B&O), the Maryland Civil War Trails, and the National Historic Landmarks series lists. A significant historical year for this entry is 1830.

Location. This marker has been replaced by another marker nearby. It was located near 39° 16.068′ N, 76° 47.706′ W. Marker was in Ellicott City, Maryland, in Howard County. Marker was at the intersection of Main Street (Maryland Route 144) and Maryland Avenue, on the right when traveling east on Main Street. Marker is at the B&O train station, now the B&O Ellicott City Railroad Station Museum. Touch for map. Marker was at or near this postal address: 2711 Maryland Ave, Ellicott City MD 21043, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers.

Ellicott Mills B&O Railroad Station Trackside image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Tom Fuchs, February 25, 2006

2. Ellicott Mills B&O Railroad Station Trackside

The tracks are heading towards Point of Rocks and points west. The Patapsco river is down a steep embankment on the right.

At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this location. The Patapsco Hotel (here, next to this marker); Road Versus Rails (a few steps from this marker); Baltimore and Frederick Turnpike Milestone (a few steps from this marker); a different marker also named B&O Railroad Station (a few steps from this marker); Old Stone Tavern House (within shouting distance of this marker); To Preserve the Union (within shouting distance of this marker); The Phoenix Emporium (within shouting distance of this marker); Turntable & Track (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Ellicott City.

More about this marker. One of a series of Maryland Civil War Trails markers.

Related marker. Click here for another marker that is related to this marker. This marker has been replaced by the linked marker.

Also see . . .
1. America's First Steam Locomotive, 1830. The "Tom Thumb" first ran between Baltimore and Ellicott Mills. (Submitted on March 17, 2006.)

2. Photo Tour of Ellicott City on the B&O Old Main Line. From the Trainweb site. (Submitted on March 17, 2006, by Tom Fuchs of Greenbelt, Maryland.)

3. Impossible Challenge: The Baltimore and Ohio Railroad in Maryland. (Submitted on May 5, 2008, by Tom Fuchs of Greenbelt, Maryland.) This website may earn income if you use this link to make a purchase on Amazon.com.
4. Impossible Challenge II: Baltimore to Washington and Harpers Ferry From 1828 to 1994. (Submitted on May 5, 2008, by Tom Fuchs of Greenbelt, Maryland.) This website may earn income if you use this link to make a purchase on Amazon.com.

Photographed By Tom Fuchs, February 25, 2006

3. Ellicott Mills B&O Railroad Station Trackside

In this photo the tracks are heading towards Baltimore. Passenger service to Ellicott City ended in the mid-1950's. The building is now a museum.

Ellicott Mills B&O Railroad Station image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Tom Fuchs, February 25, 2006

4. Ellicott Mills B&O Railroad Station

Streetside. Maryland Avenue is in the foreground. Marker is next to the tree, facing Main Street.

B&O Freight Office Building image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Tom Fuchs, February 25, 2006

5. B&O Freight Office Building

This is on Maryland Avenue. The intersection with Main Street and the station itself can be seen in the distance.

B&O Freight Office, Trackside image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Tom Fuchs, February 25, 2006

6. B&O Freight Office, Trackside

A Coal Train Passes the B&O Freight Office image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Tom Fuchs, February 25, 2006

7. A Coal Train Passes the B&O Freight Office

The B&O Birdhouse image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Tom Fuchs, February 25, 2006

8. The B&O Birdhouse

Ellicott City Station is a Landmark image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Tom Fuchs, January 13, 2007

9. Ellicott City Station is a Landmark

Ellicott City Station has been designated a Registered National Historic Landmark under the provisions of the Historic Sites Act of August 21, 1935. This site possesses exceptional value in commemorating or illustrating the history of the United States. U.S. Department of the Interior, National Park Service. 1968.

Photographed By Michael Stroud, circa March 2005

10. Office

CSX Freight Train at Ellicott City image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Tom Fuchs, June 25, 2009

11. CSX Freight Train at Ellicott City

Train is heading east toward Baltimore

Photographed By Allen C. Browne, December 18, 2017

12. John Redman

John Redman was one of the members of the Patapsco Guard that formed in 1861 to guard the B&O Railroad line and the Ellicott Mills Station. - Courtesy of Chuck and Betty Redman.Close-up of photo on marker

Patapsco Guard image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Allen C. Browne, December 18, 2017

13. Patapsco Guard

Close-up of photo on marker

Ellicott's Mills Station, c. 1858 image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Allen C. Browne, December 18, 2017

14. Ellicott's Mills Station, c. 1858

A track-side view of the Ellicott's Mills Station from the Baltimore County side of the Patapsco River circa 1858 - Courtesy Ellicott City B&O Railroad Station MuseumClose-up of photo on marker

B&O Railroad Station Museum Living Historians image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Mike Radinsky, March 7, 2010

15. B&O Railroad Station Museum Living Historians

Living Historian dressed in period clothing help interpret and educate the public about the history of Ellicott's Mills, its involvement in the Civil War, and the role the town played in America's evolution from roads to rails.

Credits. This page was last revised on January 19, 2020. It was originally submitted on March 17, 2006, by Tom Fuchs of Greenbelt, Maryland. This page has been viewed 3,761 times since then and 224 times this year. Last updated on April 21, 2010, by Mike Radinsky of Ellicott City, Maryland. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8. submitted on March 17, 2006, by Tom Fuchs of Greenbelt, Maryland. 9. submitted on February 6, 2007, by Tom Fuchs of Greenbelt, Maryland. 10. submitted on December 20, 2007, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina. 11. submitted on July 6, 2009, by Tom Fuchs of Greenbelt, Maryland. 12, 13, 14. submitted on December 22, 2017, by Allen C. Browne of Silver Spring, Maryland. 15. submitted on April 21, 2010, by Mike Radinsky of Ellicott City, Maryland. • Kevin W. was the editor who published this page.