Sites on the B&O train line through Howard County in 1833

Riding the new B&O railroad from Baltimore was a novel 'excursion', and was described in the 1833 book:  A Complete View of Baltimore

"A Narrative of an Excursion on the Baltimore and Ohio rail road"

Entered soon after [the Carrollton Viaduct, pictured] on another excavation, and came in sight of a wooden bridge, of a new and ingenious construction, laid on abutments resting on the said excavation, which serves for a passage to the turnpike road from Baltimore to Washington, and we found, thus far, that this mode of travelling, sometimes over ridges, at other times in deep artificial chasms, now over bridges, and soon after under them, was quite a novelty, and highly interesting.

After awhile we again changed our course to the west, and some distance further we entered the largest cut on this road. Its height is 70 feet perpendicular, on which account it is not improperly called the Deep Cut. It forms the most expensive portion of the works on this gigantic undertaking. Immediately after, we passed over the two highest embankments of this route; the largest of the two is on Gadsby's run, at the end of which we again crossed the Washington turnpike; but this time on a level. 

[Relay]  A little farther, being accounted six miles from Pratt street, which is the distance fixed for the relay, the horses were changed in the short space of two minutes. Refreshments are here kept for the accommodation of travellers. From this part of the road an extensive view is obtained over the country below, of mills, and a forge on Patapsco river, and farther down, of Elk Ridge Landing. One mile further on we passed in sight of the Avalon Iron Works, on the small, but beautiful Patapsco river. Here the eight miles of the dead level ends; and we began to ascend, at the grades of 13 to 17 feet per mile. Having reached the borders of the river, we had on our right several abrupt and rocky hills, the bases of which have been cut to open a passage for this road; and soon came in sight of the noted Buzzard Rock, the summit of which is at least 100 feet above the river. Still further on, we entered the handsome

Patterson Viaduct.

This viaduct is built across the river. It has four arches, forming a superstructure of fine granite stone, of 360 feet in length. Its height is 40 feet above the water mark.

After having passed this viaduct, we found ourselves on the left bank of the stream, and we never lost sight of handsome scenery. On the right, we had in view the Thistle Cotton Factory, the property of the Messrs. Morris. To the left, a fine prospect of woodland scenery delighted our eyes, consisting of gigantic oaks, luxuriantly growing on the several hills, inclining towards the river, the ascent of which begins at both banks, right and left of the stream, and progressively rise, by unequal steps; and whilst these hills extend about 3 miles from the river each way, and when at the highest elevation they are about 300 feet above the water mark of, the stream; they form a considerable hollow or valley, six miles in breadth and 300 feet deep, having the stream in the centre along its course.

[Gray cotton factory] Met, here and there, as we proceeded, several considerable cuts, made into the large masses of granite rocks, for the passage of the road, from which Baltimore is partly supplied, and by being worked by many artificers, the scene was considerably enlivened. Now to the right, we viewed another Cotton Factory, remarkable for the height of one of its buildings, and for having a handsome artificial fall of water. It is situated like the preceding, on the other side of the river, and belongs to Mr. Edward Gray.

Ellicott Mills.

Arrived at Ellicotts' Mills, 10 miles by the turnpike from Baltimore, where a relay was waiting for us. We travelled the distance, from the place of our departure to this spot, in one hour and thirty minutes, nearly 14 miles, which is at the rate of about 9 miles an hour. From the three arch stone Oliver's Viaduct, built here through an embankment, raised on the site of this place, for giving passage to a run, as well as for the Baltimore and Frederick turnpike, we had the pleasure of observing the difference between the slow paced vehicles passing below us on the turnpike, and the easy and rapid movement of our cars. This spot of ground, as containing an academy for classical education, several large stone houses, stores, two splendid hotels, a number of flour, merchant, linseed and other mills, richly deserves the name of town. Indeed, laying aside the immense worth of these useful establishments, the neatness of the handsome group of buildings of different sizes, forms and colours, located at the intersection of the river Patapsco, and of the rail and turnpike roads; the two great thoroughfares of the west of this vast continent, and at the foot of a high and picturesque scenery, attract the attention and admiration of the traveller. Leaving, with regret, this romantic spot, we immediately entered the second section of this road, the grades of which are various, but none higher than 21 feet per mile; and as soon as we reached the banks of the river again, our eyes were feasted with the sight of more splendid scenery than before. 

To the right, we viewed the covered bridge of the turnpike, and we could but admire, at a few rods upwards, a most brilliant sheet of water formed by a dam, which, rising the stream, pours its argentine contents from the brims of its smooth surface into the rugged one below. (*The view of the two water-falls we are going to describe, is enchanting, when taken from this end of the turnpike bridge.) This dam turns part of the water of said river into a canal, which glides through the lower part of the town, and imparts motion and life to the machinery it meets in its course. The scenery, on progressing a few steps farther, is new and striking, by reason of the sight of a large opening, cut through a solid and rocky spur, which opposed the passage of the road. The east side, called the Tarpean Rock, stands isolated on the banks of the river, the bulky head of which, projecting several feet out of the perpendicular, menaces destruction. The other side has nothing remarkable but its height, which is about 80 feet, and for having, the name of the constructor of the work chisseled on its large forehead. (* The expense of this cut through that spur, although but a trifle in comparison with the cost of the works on the other parts of this road, is well calculated to stand as a lasting monument of the enterprize of the Baltimoreans, as well as of the spirit of the age for internal improvements.)

To the left, after the passage through the above chasm, our eyes were immediately fixed on a magnificent cascade, making the greatest contrast imaginable with the sable looking establishment adjoining, which is a rolling-mill, situated on the very banks of the opposite side of the river, and belonging to the Messrs. Ellicotts.

9, 10, 11. Patapsco Merchant Mills, there are three of them lying together, about 10 miles from Baltimore, which being built by the Ellicotts, have given the name of Ellicotts' Mills, to the delightful spot where they are situated. The first runs 6 pair of French burr stones, 7 feet in diameter. Another 5 pair, and another 5 pair of the same description. It is, taken altogether, the largest milling establishment in the state, as these mills can grind with ease, at most seasons of the year 200 barrels of flour per day, beside between 3 and 400 bushels of grain for the neighbouring farms. There is also, here a plaster mill and a saw mill, each of which is propelled by a separate water wheel.

12. The Iron Rolling Mills of Messrs. Ellicotts', are in the near neighbourhood of the mills last mentioned. Here they roll iron into sheets and manufacture spades, shovels, nails, &c. Warehouse, corner of Light and Pratt streets.

13. Opposite the excellent tavern of Mr. M'Laughlin, on a small branch running into the Patapsco, stands Atkinson's Oil Mill.

14. Union Cotton Factory belonging to a Company, a large and elegant establishment. Warehouse, No. 9 South Charles street.

Pursuing our course about a quarter of a mile farther, the splendour of another artificial water-fall, indicates the good purpose for which it was formed. It sets in motion the machinery of the Union Cotton Factory, belonging to a company in Baltimore; which, with some surrounding buildings, constitutes a handsome landscape. The view farther up the river offers a very different aspect. We entered a woody and narrow defile, and found ourselves hemmed, as it were, within the enclosure of hills and steeps, cut asunder for the passage of the road, and in vain, alas! should we have looked here for a retreat—none could we have obtained but under the shelter of the trees. However, we were at last relieved, by pursuing our course, from that painful situation, by the agreeable sight of the industry of man. It is a new building, situated in this forlorn forest, on the banks of the purling stream, and prepared for a Cotton Factory. This untenanted building owes its mushroom birth to the rail-road. Farther up the stream we met, with delight, a cottage where man dwells. Could it be otherwise? Every object around him seemed to smile! To our astonishment we met here among these steep hills what is seen only on flat and good soil. I mean lime stone and lime kilns, they belong to judge Dorsey; they will be of great service along the course of the rail road and to Baltimore.

Varle, Charles.  A Complete View of Baltimore...  Baltimore: 1833

©2017 Patricia Bixler Reber
Forgotten history of Ellicott City & Howard County MD