Hagerstown in Washington County, Maryland — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)

The Cumberland Valley Railroad

Photographed By Mike Stroud, 2011

1. The Cumberland Valley Railroad Marker

Inscription. The first railroad to serve Hagerstown was the Franklin Railroad (F.R.R.). The City of Hagerstown invested $20,000 in this venture. The F.R.R. connected Hagerstown to the Cumberland Valley Railroad (C.V.R.R.) which ran from Chambersburg to Harrisburg. Service began in 1841. Entering town from the northwest, the line ran down Walnut Street and ended at this location. The first F.R.R. depot was located on the west side of Walnut Street (behind you). The Franklin Railroad replaced locomotives with horse teams in 1844 and then was sold at sheriff's sale in 1849 for a mere $600. and soon transferred to C.V.R.R. Although C.V.R.R. was sold to the Pennsylvania Railroad in 1859, it retained it (sic) local name.

The lines ran down Walnut Street until the 1950s, when the City arranged for the construction of the elevated rail overpass behind you. This area served as a depot for Union army supplies during the Civil War.

Erected by Maryland Heritage Area.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Railroads & Streetcars. A significant historical year for this entry is 1841.

Location. 39° 38.659′ N, 77° 43.522′ W. Marker is in Hagerstown, Maryland, in Washington County. Marker is on Walnut Street near Washington Street (National Pike) (U.S. 40),

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on the right when traveling east. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Hagerstown MD 21740, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Hagerstonians in the Civil War (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Hagerstonians In The Civil War (about 300 feet away); Treatment of the Wounded (about 300 feet away); Mount Prospect (about 300 feet away); a different marker also named Hagerstonians in the Civil War (about 400 feet away); Shenandoah Valley Railroad (about 500 feet away); a different marker also named Hagerstonians In The Civil War (about 500 feet away); 102 South Prospect Street (about 700 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Hagerstown.

Also see . . . The Cumberland Valley Railroad, Wikipedia entry. ... Freight and passenger service in the Cumberland Valley in south central Pennsylvania from near Harrisburg to Chambersburg began in 1837, with service later extended to Hagerstown, Maryland and then extending into the Shenandoah Valley to Winchester, Virginia.... (Submitted on August 6, 2011, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina.)

<i>(Lower left picture)</i><br> image. Click for full size.

The Cumberland Valley Railroad Marker; Courtesy of Stephen G. Donches, `

2. (Lower left picture)

The locomotive "Pioneer " was manufactured in 1851 and served the line between Hagerstown and Chambersburg. When the Civil War brought heavier, longer trains full of war supplies and soldiers, Pioneer was not strong enough to handle the load and was retired to yard use. The Pennsylvania Railroad donated to the Smithsonian Institution. In 2010, it was delievered for restoration and display to the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad Museum in Baltimore.

<i>(Center picture)</i><br> image. Click for full size.

The Cumberland Valley Railroad Marker; Western Maryland Room, Washington County Free Library, `

3. (Center picture)

Walnut Street served a large freight depot for war material. This drawing appeared in Harpers Weekly newspaper on October 18, 1862. The supplies stockpiled here were burned by Confederates in 1864.

<i>(Upper right picture)</i><br> image. Click for full size.

The Cumberland Valley Railroad Marker; Georges Creek Regional Library, `

4. (Upper right picture)

This circa 1871 photo shows the second rail depot at this location. It was replaced about 10 years later by a large, ornate Victorian Station which stood where Walnut Towers is located today.

<i>(Lower right picture)</i><br> image. Click for full size.

The Cumberland Valley Railroad Marker; Hagerstown Planning Department, `

5. (Lower right picture)

This combination car, constructed for the Cumberland Valley Railroad in 1855, is displayed at the Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania at Strasburg.

The Cumberland Valley Railroad Marker along Walnut Street image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Mike Stroud, July 17, 2011

6. The Cumberland Valley Railroad Marker along Walnut Street

in front of Walnut Towers today, as mentioned

Walnut Towers, where the Cumberland Valley Railroad Depot once stood image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Mike Stroud, July 17, 2011

7. Walnut Towers, where the Cumberland Valley Railroad Depot once stood

Elevated Rail Overpass, As Mentioned, Seen Today image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Mike Stroud, July 17, 2011

8. Elevated Rail Overpass, As Mentioned, Seen Today

Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on August 4, 2011, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina. This page has been viewed 985 times since then and 18 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8. submitted on August 4, 2011, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina.