Chronology of the B & O railroad 1825-1853

The Baltimore and Ohio Railroad was started by businessmen in Baltimore, with the first line going to Ellicott mills.  As recalled by JHB Latrobe, John Eager Howard hosted a dinner at his mansion "Belvidere" in 1825 (or 1826) to discuss the possibility of a railroad. In 1827, a more formal meeting was held at George Brown's home.

"First general meeting of citizens contemplating a railroad, February 12, 1827. [merchants met at George Brown's home]

Act of incorporation granted by Maryland, February 28, 1827.

Act of incorporation confirmed by Virginia, March 8, I827.

Requisite amount of stock or organization subscribed by April 1,  1827.

Company organized; directors elected, April 23, 1827.

Preliminary surveys begun, July 2, 1827.

Actual surveys begun, November 20, I827.

Charter confirmed by the state of Pennsylvania, February 22, 1828.

Maryland became a stockholder, March 6, I828.

Corner-stone laid, July 4, 1828.

Railroad opened to Ellicott’s Mills, 14 miles (horse-power), May  22, 1830.

Trial of the first steam locomotive on the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad, August 25, 1830. 

Railroad opened to—-

   Ellicott’s Mills, 14 miles (steam-power), August 30, 1830.

   Frederick, 61 miles, December I, 1831.

   Point of Rocks, 69 miles, April I, 1832.

   Harper’s Ferry, 81 miles, December I, 1834.

   Hancock, I23 miles, June I, 1842.

   Cumberland, 178 miles, November 5, 1842.

   Piedmont, 206 miles, July 21, 1851.

   Fairmont, 302 miles, June 22, 1852.

Last spike driven; finished, Baltimore to Wheeling, 379 miles,  December 24, 1852.

First train reached Wheeling from Baltimore, January 1, 1853.

Railroad opened, Baltimore to Wheeling, 379 miles, January 10, 1853."

The Economic History of the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad, 1827-1853.  Baltimore: 1897


Belvidere, mansion of John Eager Howard

Latrobe in Semmes, John E. John H. B. Latrobe and His Times, 1803-1891. Baltimore 1917:

"At a dinner given by Colonel John Eager Howard, at his residence, "Belvedere," in 1825, Mr. Evan Thomas, just returned from England, described what he had seen of loads of coal drawn by engines from the mines on the Stockton and Darlington railroads. (Colonel Howard died the year the Railroad was incorporated in 1827. Some of his sons were active in promoting the road started at their father's dinner table.)" Latrobe

©2018 Patricia Bixler Reber
Forgotten history of Ellicott City & Howard County MD