On May 22, 1830 Train Service Began Between Baltimore and Ellicott’s Mills

A transformative event in American history occurred (partially) in Howard County when, on May 22, 1830, the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad - the nation’s first commercial railroad - began operating between Baltimore and Ellicott’s Mills (now Ellicott City). Passengers were transported that day in four small open carriages that rode on railroad tracks, each of which was drawn by a horse. Among the passengers was 92-year-old Charles Carroll of Carrollton, who was the last living signer of the Declaration of Independence. The thirteen-mile return trip from Ellicott’s Mills to Baltimore took one hour and five minutes.

Improvements were rapidly made to the B&O’s operations and line. In August 1830 a small steam powered locomotive began being tested, and in 1832 steam locomotives were placed into regular use. The line was also steadily extended. By late 1831 it reached Frederick, by late 1834 Harper’s Ferry, and in 1852 the line was completed when it reached Wheeling, (now) West Virginia on the Ohio River.

The establishment of the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad was strongly supported by business leaders in Baltimore who wanted to expand trade with the west and to give the city an edge over other east coast port cities that were competing for western trade.

By Jerry Ueckermann