Stadium Area in Baltimore, Maryland — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)

Great Railroad Strike of 1877

Photographed By Beverly Pfingsten, March 23, 2013

1. Great Railroad Strike of 1877 Marker

Inscription. The first national strike began July 16, 1877, with Baltimore and Ohio Railroad workers in Martinsburg, West Virginia, and Baltimore Maryland. It spread across the nation halting rail traffic and closing factories in reaction to widespread worker discontent over wage cuts and conditions during a national depression. Broken by Federal troops in early August, the strike energized the labor movement and was precursor to labor unrest in the 1880s and 1890s.

Erected 2013 by Maryland Historical Trust, Maryland State Highway Administration.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Labor Unions • Railroads & Streetcars. In addition, it is included in the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad (B&O), and the Maryland Historical Trust series lists. A significant historical date for this entry is July 16, 1927.

Location. 39° 17.096′ N, 76° 37.168′ W. Marker is in Baltimore, Maryland. It is in the Stadium Area. Marker can be reached from Howard Street south of West Camden Street, on the right when traveling south. Marker is adjacent to Camden Station at the light rail stop. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 301 West Camden Street, Baltimore MD 21201, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Baltimore Riot Trail (a few steps from this marker); Baltimore Regional Trail

Paid Advertisement

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

Click or scan to see
this page online

(a few steps from this marker); On to Yorktown (within shouting distance of this marker); Carl A.J. Wright (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Wrestling in Maryland (about 400 feet away); Babe’s Dream (about 400 feet away); Richard H. Trainor (about 500 feet away); Wilkens Building (about 600 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Baltimore.

Related marker. Click here for another marker that is related to this marker. Martinsburg, WV marker.

Also see . . .
1. Camden Station and the Great Railroad Strike of 1877 - YouTube. Produced by William Carroll (Submitted on March 23, 2013, by Bill Pfingsten of Bel Air, Maryland.)

2. The Great Upheaval - US History. (Submitted on March 24, 2013, by Bill Pfingsten of Bel Air, Maryland.)

Additional commentary.
1. Comments by William Barry
When I spoke at a gathering of the Occupy Movement at the McKeldin Fountain in 2011, I mentioned that we were on hallowed ground because the original “occupy” movement in Baltimore City

Great Railroad Strike of 1877 Dedication image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Beverly Pfingsten, March 23, 2013

2. Great Railroad Strike of 1877 Dedication

William Barry, Director of Labor Studies at the Community College of Baltimore County was the force behind establishing this marker.

occurred in 1877, as tens of thousands of railroad workers carried on the first national strike, shutting down all freight traffic and giving new meaning to the term “reconstruction.” The strike started on July 16, 1877, against the B & O Railroad and the first strike demonstrations were in front of the company’s main depot at Camden Yards.

One aspect of the strike was the military opposition to the strikers, first from state militia in Maryland and West Virginia, and then by federal troops ordered out by President Rutherford B. Hayes, who had been elected, in part, for his commitment to withdraw all federal troops from the states. In a devastating moment, eleven citizens were murdered by the militia near City Hall as the troops tried to march from the armory across from the Shot Tower to Camden Yards. Since this movement is virtually unknown—the Pratt Library catalogues its documents under “The Riots of 1877″—I decided to propose a historical marker in front of Camden Yards, honoring the strikers and their community.

— Submitted March 23, 2013, by Bill Pfingsten of Bel Air, Maryland.

Crowd at marker dedication March 23, 2013 image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Beverly Pfingsten, March 23, 2013

3. Crowd at marker dedication March 23, 2013

Photographed By Beverly Pfingsten, March 23, 2013

4. Great Railroad Strike of 1877 Marker

Camden Station image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Beverly Pfingsten, March 23, 2013

5. Camden Station

Building is now a Sports Legends Museum

Photographed By Beverly Pfingsten, March 23, 2013

6. Camden Station

Marker is to the right side of the building.

Credits. This page was last revised on August 6, 2021. It was originally submitted on March 23, 2013, by Bill Pfingsten of Bel Air, Maryland. This page has been viewed 1,423 times since then and 57 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on March 23, 2013, by Bill Pfingsten of Bel Air, Maryland.