Aberdeen in Harford County, Maryland — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)

2008 Restoration of P.B. & W. Railroad Crossing and Later Pennsylvania Railroad Watchman's Shed

Photographed By Allen C. Browne, October 8, 2013

1. 2008 Restoration of P.B & W. Railroad Crossing and Later Pennsylvania Railroad Watchman's Shed Marker

Inscription. Some 100 or 150 years ago, the watchman was protected from the weather by the shed that sat at the post road crossing of the north/southeast coast Washington to New York Highway, later known as route 7. When the crossing was closed the small building was rescued by Vic Fowler. The Aberdeen Heritage Trust wishes to acknowledge the following for donations towards restoration of the "Watchman's Shed" benefactors: Aberdeen Heritage Trust, The Aberdeen Room, Beaver's Auto Body, Bill & Charlotte Cronin, Don & Marcia Cullum, Glassman Construction, Judy Hinch & Horne Concrete Construction.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Railroads & Streetcars • Roads & Vehicles.

Location. 39° 30.677′ N, 76° 9.858′ W. Marker is in Aberdeen, Maryland, in Harford County. Marker can be reached from the intersection of North Parke Street and Diamond Street (later Centennial Lane). Marker is in the west corner of Aberdeen Festival Park. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Aberdeen MD 21001, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Aberdeen Proving Ground Memorial (a few steps from this marker); Aberdeen 9/11 Memorial (within shouting distance of this marker); This is a Section of “The General’s Highway” (about 700 feet away,

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measured in a direct line); Aberdeen Veterans Memorial (about 700 feet away); Aberdeen Proving Ground (approx. ¼ mile away); Hall’s Cross Roads (approx. 0.4 miles away); James B. Baker House (approx. 0.4 miles away); ENIAC (approx. 0.7 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Aberdeen.

Additional commentary.
1. Philadelphia, Wilmington & Baltimore Railroad
Railroad was known as P.W.& B. Railroad and was eventually bought by the Pennsylvania Railroad. The marker incorrectly identifies it as P.B & W. Railroad.

Prior to closing the RR crossing on East Bel Air Avenue, the watchman would be alerted by signal that a train was approaching. He would then blow a whistle and manually lower a gate to halt traffic. This crossing lead to the main entrance to Aberdeen Proving Ground and slow freight trains led to major traffic backups.

Aberdeen had two railroad stations, the PWB (later Pennsylvania and now Amtrak) which is still in use, and the Baltimore and Ohio (now CSX) The station photos are of the B&O Station which was closed in the early 1970's.

Photographed By Adam Margolis, January 18, 2022

2. 2008 Restoration of P.B. & W. Railroad Crossing and Later Pennsylvania Railroad Watchman's Shed Marker
— Submitted February 27, 2014, by Bill Pfingsten of Bel Air, Maryland.

Watchman's Shed image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Allen C. Browne, October 8, 2013

3. Watchman's Shed

Photographed By Allen C. Browne, October 8, 2013

4. Watchman's Shed

Photographed By Adam Margolis, January 18, 2022

5. 2008 Restoration of P.B. & W. Railroad Crossing and Later Pennsylvania Railroad Watchman's Shed Marker

Pot-Bellied Stove <br>in the Watchman's Shed image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Allen C. Browne, October 8, 2013

6. Pot-Bellied Stove
in the Watchman's Shed

Baltimore & Ohio Railroad Station in Aberdeen image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Allen C. Browne, October 8, 2013

7. Baltimore & Ohio Railroad Station in Aberdeen

The Harford Historical Society is in the process of relocating and restoring this building.

R.R. Crossing sign at B & O Railroad Station image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Allen C. Browne, October 8, 2013

8. R.R. Crossing sign at B & O Railroad Station

Credits. This page was last revised on January 20, 2022. It was originally submitted on February 26, 2014, by Allen C. Browne of Silver Spring, Maryland. This page has been viewed 886 times since then and 31 times this year. Last updated on March 18, 2020, by Carl Gordon Moore Jr. of North East, Maryland. Photos: 1. submitted on February 26, 2014, by Allen C. Browne of Silver Spring, Maryland. 2. submitted on January 18, 2022, by Adam Margolis of Mission Viejo, California. 3, 4. submitted on February 26, 2014, by Allen C. Browne of Silver Spring, Maryland. 5. submitted on January 18, 2022, by Adam Margolis of Mission Viejo, California. 6, 7, 8. submitted on February 26, 2014, by Allen C. Browne of Silver Spring, Maryland. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.