Franklin in Baltimore, Maryland — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Carrollton Viaduct
The Carrollton Viaduct carried the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad over the Gwynns Falls, its first malor stream crossing as it headed west from its Pratt Street terminus Completed in 1829, the 300-foot stone span is named for Charles Carroll of Carrollton, signer of the Declaration of Independence and one of the B&O's founders. Worried about competition from canals, Baltimore's business leaders cast their lot with a new untested technology, railroads. Horses initially pulled the loads, but the B&O successfully introduced steam-powered locomotives and became known as "the Railroad University of the United States" By 1880 the railroad helped make Baltimore the second largest port for grain and a major livestock and coal terminal.
… the great railroad … has probably contributed more to [Baltimore's] commercial prosperity than all other agencies combined.[Captions:]
Thomas Scharf, 1881.
A steam locomotive crosses the Carrollton Viaduct during the B&O's centennial celebration in 1929.
The B&O Railroad Museum, at 901 West Pratt Street, occupies the former Mount Clare Station and the roundhouse.
Erected by Gwynns Falls Trail Council.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Bridges & Viaducts • Railroads & Streetcars. In addition, it is included in the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad (B&O), the Maryland, Gwynns Falls Trail, and the National Historic Landmarks series lists. A significant historical year for this entry is 1829.
Location. 39° 16.52′ N, 76° 39.323′ W. Marker is in Baltimore, Maryland. It is in Franklin. Marker can be reached from Washington Boulevard. Marker is about 2800 feet northwest of the trailhead parking lot, in the Carroll Park Golf Course. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1015 Brunswick St, Baltimore MD 21223, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. World War II Memorial (approx. 0.4 miles away); Early Industries (approx. 0.4 miles away); Gwynns Falls Park at Wilkens Avenue (approx. 0.4 miles away); Carroll Park Golf Course (approx. 0.4 miles away); Rowhouses: a Baltimore Tradition (approx. half a mile away); Of Fords, Felles, and Falls (approx. half a mile away); The Baltimore Ecosystem Study (approx. half a mile away); Carroll Park at the Golf Course (approx. half a mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Baltimore.
Also see . . .
1. Image of the marker. (Submitted on March 19, 2008, by Christopher Busta-Peck of Shaker Heights, Ohio.)
2. Gwynns Falls Trail Council. (Submitted on March 19, 2008, by Christopher Busta-Peck of Shaker Heights, Ohio.)
Credits. This page was last revised on April 6, 2023. It was originally submitted on March 19, 2008, by Christopher Busta-Peck of Shaker Heights, Ohio. This page has been viewed 2,849 times since then and 51 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7. submitted on March 19, 2008, by Christopher Busta-Peck of Shaker Heights, Ohio.