The Baltimore & Ohio's Point of Rocks Station

Point of Rocks, Maryland, home to the Point of Rocks station, is a small community of only a little over 1,000 residents and it is situated in the west-central region of the state along the Potomac River and about 28 miles from the historic small town of Harpers Ferry, West Virginia. The town itself gets its name from the stunning rock formation it sits atop which is visible from the Potomac River. However, aside from the town’s natural features it is best known for one of the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad’s celebrated locations (even today), and the subject of countless photographs over the years, the Point of Rocks railroad station which splits two former Baltimore & Ohio Railroad lines (the Old Main Line and current main line as they have come to be known).

When constructing the depot Baldwin somewhat incorporated its design into the small area where the two lines converged. Overall, the building was about two-and-a-half stories in height and featured a beautiful steeple along the front façade. The depot was designed in the Gothic Revival style, a Victorian-era architecture with Medieval undertones that dates back to the mid-16th century. As such, the building employs steep, angled roof lines dormers, and partially arched, narrow windows. With the steeple the building is a full four-stories in height. Baldwin constructed Point of Rocks using red-brick and local sandstone for trim as well as the foundation.

To counter any disastrous plans CSX may have for the building (there has been recent talk of the railroad even mulling razing the station) the Point of Rocks Community Historical Society has been considering ideas on how to permanently preserve the property, which is made all the more difficult by the fact that two active railroad lines continue to flank the station to either side.

Currently, however, the building remains in active use as a railroad station, which is used by MARC, the Maryland-subsidized commuter train service. The stop remains a fairly active one for MARC, transporting commuters from their offices in Washington, D.C. to the suburbs of Maryland and West Virginia. While the future of the Point of Rocks station may be somewhat uncertain it is hoped that by being on the National Register of Historic Places as well as “overseen” by the Point of Rocks Community Historical Society that the station’s future can be secured and preserved.

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For more reading about railroad stations you might want to consider a copy of America's Railroad Stations from author Brian Solomon. While the book is just a very general overview of some of the great stations that once stood in this country it is quite good with lots of historical photographs, including that of Grand Central Terminal and the late Pennsylvania Station (it also gives a history of the thousands of small depots that existed in most communities). All in all if you’re interested in stations and depots you’re sure to enjoy Mr. Solomon’s book on the subject. If you're interested in perhaps purchasing either (or both) of these books please visit the links below which will take you to ordering information through Amazon.com, the trusted online shopping network.

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