Halethorpe in Baltimore County, Maryland — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)

The Relay House

Photographed by Allen C. Browne, April 23, 2017

1. The Relay House Marker

Inscription. On this site in 1830 a hotel with a waiting room and ticket office was built to serve passengers of the B & O Railroad. Here horses were changed for the final 5-mile trip to Ellicott Mills. Hence the name Relay House. As the B & O Railroad grew the Relay House became an important stop for both east and westbound passengers. During the Civil War it was an important transportation hub for the Union Army and many soldiers were stationed here. After the war it was used as a summer resort. The original building was destroyed by fire in 1898. The present house was built in 1899 and was used as a hotel and bar until prohibition. It is now a private residence.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Railroads & Streetcars • War, US Civil. In addition, it is included in the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad (B&O) series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1830.

Location. 39° 13.452′ N, 76° 42.653′ W. Marker is in Halethorpe, Maryland, in Baltimore County. It is at the intersection of Viaduct Avenue and Soouth Rolling Road, on the left when traveling north

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on Viaduct Avenue. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 5174 Viaduct Ave, 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,

in the Chesapeake Bay Region,

and on the Eastern Seaboard. 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: During the Civil War (about 600 feet away, measured in a direct line); A Rural Vacation Spot (about 700 feet away); Masterpiece of the Early B&O Railroad (about 700 feet away); The Thomas Viaduct (approx. 0.2 miles away); World War II (approx. 0.3 miles away); Great War (approx. 0.3 miles away); Relay (approx. 0.3 miles away); Patapsco Valley State Park (approx. half a mile away).

Photographed by Allen C. Browne, April 23, 2017

2. The Relay House Marker

Photographed by Allen C. Browne, April 23, 2017

3. Relay Hotel

Photographed by Allen C. Browne, April 23, 2017

4. Relay Hotel

Photographed by Allen C. Browne, April 23, 2017

5. Relay Hotel

Relay Hotel<br>Private Residence image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Allen C. Browne, April 23, 2017

6. Relay Hotel
Private Residence

Viaduct Avenue and South Rolling Road image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Allen C. Browne, April 23, 2017

7. Viaduct Avenue and South Rolling Road

The road along the tracks, here labeled South Rolling Road, is also called Railroad Avenue.

Relay House, 1882 image. Click for full size.

Internet Archive

8. Relay House, 1882

Engraving by artist T. Moran and engraver J. Karst from Picturesque B&O, 1882 by J. G. Pangborn. This Hotel/Station, built in 1830, was located north of the present hotel building near the Viaduct Monument, visible on the left in this engraving.

Credits. This page was last revised on July 7, 2025. It was originally submitted on April 24, 2017, by Allen C. Browne of Silver Spring, Maryland. This page has been viewed 4,519 times since then and 220 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8. submitted on April 24, 2017, by Allen C. Browne of Silver Spring, Maryland. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.