Marker Logo
THE HISTORICAL
MARKER DATABASE
“Bite-Size Bits of Local, National, and Global History”
Relay in Baltimore County, Maryland — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
 

Relay

 
 
Relay Marker image. Click for full size.
Photographed by Rico Ramirez, July 16, 2024
1. Relay Marker
Inscription. Created in 1830 as a change point, or "relay," for horses hauling the first scheduled railroad cars in the U.S. The first rail link to nation's capital began here. Thomas Viaduct carries the track across Patapsco gorge; completed in 1835, it is the oldest multiple-arch railroad bridge in North America. In the Civil War, Union troops were stationed here to protect this critical junction.
 
Erected 2000 by Maryland Historical Trust, Maryland State Highway Administration.
 
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Bridges & ViaductsIndustry & CommerceMilitaryRailroads & StreetcarsWar, US Civil. In addition, it is included in the Maryland Historical Trust series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1830.
 
Location. 39° 13.678′ N, 76° 42.403′ W. Marker is in Relay, Maryland, in Baltimore County. It is on S. Rolling Road 0.1 miles south of Francis Avenue, on the right when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Halethorpe MD 21227, 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: Great War (within shouting distance of this marker); World War II (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); The Relay House
Paid Advertisement
Click or scan to see
this page online
(approx. 0.3 miles away); During the Civil War (approx. 0.4 miles away); A Rural Vacation Spot (approx. half a mile away); Masterpiece of the Early B&O Railroad (approx. half a mile away); The Thomas Viaduct (approx. half a mile away); Elk Ridge Landing (approx. 0.7 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Relay.
 
Regarding Relay. There are several historical markers located in Relay, Maryland, including ones for the Thomas Viaduct, Site of the Relay Station and Hotel, and two war memorials.
 
Relay Marker image. Click for full size.
Photographed by F. Robby, July 1, 2008
2. Relay Marker
Relay Marker image. Click for full size.
Photographed by F. Robby, July 1, 2008
3. Relay Marker
The sign behind the Maryland historical marker reads "Welcome to Historic Relay, circa 1830".
Relay Historic District Marker image. Click for full size.
Photographed by F. Robby, July 3, 2008
4. Relay Historic District Marker
This marker is at the intersection of S. Rolling Road and Francis Avenue.
Relay Marker image. Click for full size.
Photographed by Rico Ramirez, July 16, 2024
5. Relay Marker
Welcome to Historic Relay circa~1830 image. Click for full size.
Photographed by Rico Ramirez, July 16, 2024
6. Welcome to Historic Relay circa~1830
 
 
Credits. This page was last revised on December 21, 2024. It was originally submitted on July 3, 2008, by F. Robby of Baltimore, Maryland. This page has been viewed 3,311 times since then and 80 times this year. Photos:   1. submitted on July 17, 2024, by Rico Ramirez of Prince Frederick, Maryland.   2, 3, 4. submitted on July 3, 2008, by F. Robby of Baltimore, Maryland.   5, 6. submitted on July 17, 2024, by Rico Ramirez of Prince Frederick, Maryland.
m=8764

CeraNet Cloud Computing sponsors the Historical Marker Database.
This website earns income from purchases you make after using our links to Amazon.com. We appreciate your support.
Paid Advertisement
Jun. 10, 2026