Franklin in Baltimore, Maryland — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Carrollton Viaduct
Photographed by Christopher Busta-Peck, March 18, 2008
1. Carrollton Viaduct Marker
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
this page online
Location. 39° 16.52′ N, 76° 39.323′ W. Marker is in Baltimore, Maryland. It is in Franklin. It 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.
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: 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
Photographed by Christopher Busta-Peck, March 18, 2008
2. Marker location
Marker is on the right. Note that it isn't possible to see very much of the bridge from the trail, and that, by the looks of things, they probably don't want you going off the trail.
Another marker is no longer nearby. Restoring Water Quality (was approx. 0.4 miles away but has been replaced with another marker now near it).
Also see . . . Gwynns Falls Trail Council. (Submitted on March 19, 2008, by Christopher Busta-Peck of Shaker Heights, Ohio.)
Photographed by Christopher Busta-Peck, March 18, 2008
3. The Carrollton Viaduct, as seen from the marker
Photographed by Christopher Busta-Peck, March 18, 2008
4. The Carrollton Viaduct
Photographed by Christopher Busta-Peck, March 18, 2008
5. The Carrollton Viaduct
Photographed by Christopher Busta-Peck, March 18, 2008
6. View atop the Carrollton Viaduct, looking east
Photographed by Christopher Busta-Peck, March 18, 2008
7. View atop the Carrollton Viaduct, looking west
Credits. This page was last revised on March 3, 2025. It was originally submitted on March 19, 2008, by Christopher Busta-Peck of Shaker Heights, Ohio. This page has been viewed 3,299 times since then and 36 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7. submitted on March 19, 2008, by Christopher Busta-Peck of Shaker Heights, Ohio.
