Why Did Maryland Need a Railroad? In February 1827, George Brown, William Patterson, and other Marylanders met to talk about the best way to improve trade coming from the western lands over the old National Road to Baltimore. They believed Baltimore was going to lose some of the western trade to Georgetown because of a proposed canal that was going to be built along the Potomac River. These businessmen decided that if Baltimore did not have a canal, it should have a railroad. In March, the Maryland legislature passed a bill permitting the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad to form. At this time England was the only country experimenting with railroads. The cornerstone for Maryland's first railroad was laid on July 4, 1828. Baltimoreans honored this day with a parade. Cheering people jammed streets, windows and grandstands. Stonecutters brought forward the first large block of granite. The blacksmiths proudly presented a newly made pick, spade, hammer, and trowel for use in laying the stone. Then Charles Carroll, age 91, stepped forward grasping a spade and turned the first shovelful of earth. A drawing of what happened on that day is at the top of this page. |
