B&O Railroad Station: Lincoln's Railroad

History: The Civil War was the first conflict where railroads were utilized on a massive scale, and the B&O Railroad was the major line that straddled the divided country. The President of the B&O, John W. Garrett, maintained Confederate sympathies in the beginning of the war, but gave his support to the Union cause, resulting in its nickname "Lincoln's Railroad." This roundhouse and its accompanying shops were captured by Federal troops on the outset of the Civil War, to gain Baltimore's strategic advantage.

The area was heavily guarded by Union troops in order to support the Northern war effort, which relied upon this station to move thousands of army units, tons of supplies and munitions, and material essential to rebuild damaged sections of track.

The B&O Railroad was also traveled regularly by Abraham Lincoln to deliver speeches, consult with generals, and ultimately to carry his body on the initial journey toward his hometown of Springfield, Illinois following his assassination. The vital work of this station never ceased.

More to Explore: The roundhouse is now home to the B&O Railroad Museum, which features antique rolling stock, train rides, and a temporary exhibit The War Came By Train. Here you can discover ways the B&O Railroad witnessed and participated in the war, including The Baltimore Riot of 1861 and Lincoln's funeral train leaving Baltimore for Illinois.

Very close by you will find the Irish Railroad Workers Museum, which celebrates the large presence of Irish immigrants in Southwest Baltimore who worked for the adjoining B&O Railroad in the late 1840s. Don't forget to stop for refreshments at a local Irish pub. Also in the area is the Edgar Allen Poe House and Museum, open seasonally, where Baltimore's famous author lived from 1833 - 1835 and his literary career took form. While in Baltimore, Poe wrote numerous stories, poems and reviews.

Photo Credits:

1. "Photograph of John Work Garrett, the President of the B&O Railroad."
2. "Photograph of the inside of the Baltimore Roundhouse with Train cars in the foreground."
3. "Exterior photograph of the Mount Clare B&O roundhouse."
4. "Photograph of President Abraham Lincoln." Photos courtesy of Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Division.