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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).

The Point of Rocks station was completed in 1876 and was designed by renowned architect E. Francis Baldwin who would construct a number of stations and depots for the B&O, particularly along the eastern areas of the railroad. The Point of Rocks station itself is my personal favorite and in terms of exposure it is very well the most popular B&O station as it is heralded as one of, if not the, most photographed railroad station or depot in the country. The station’s popularity lies as much with its splendor as its location. Situated at the point where two railroad lines converge, coupled with a beautiful steeple which faces directly towards where the railroad tracks meet makes for a truly magnificent setting, unrivaled anywhere else.

While the Point of Rocks station today is placed on the National Register of Historic Places its future is not necessarily secure. The building is currently still owned by CSX Transportation, successor to the B&O, and used as an office by the railroad. The uncertainty here lies in the fact that CSX has not been known for its historic preservation and has destroyed or let go a number of significant railroad property/locations over the years.

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 as well, and is used by MARC, the Maryland-subsidized commuter train service, to transport commuters from the offices of 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.

To give a brief history of the B&O it holds the distinction of being this country’s very first common-carrier railroad (meaning a railroad chartered specifically for public use) being officially incorporated and organized on April 24th, 1827. By being this country’s first common carrier the railroad was instrumental in helping to build and grow not only our economy but also the country itself when the “west” meant the Ohio River.

While never a wealthy railroad throughout its existence (when compared to the likes of its much larger and powerful northern competitors, the Pennsylvania [PRR] and New York Central [NYC] Railroads) its legacy will forever be remembered as a survivor and that it put customer service above all else. When the company’s name and existence finally came to an end on April 30th, 1987 it had just celebrated its 160th birthday and witnessed the industry grow from nothing more than few scattered systems to a rail network consisting of tens of thousands of miles linking the country from coast to coast (it also outlived its wealthier northern competitors by over a decade).

For more reading and history about the B&O consider the book, Baltimore & Ohio Railroad, written by Kirk Reynolds and David Oroszi. While there are several more excellent books, with superb illustrations, out there covering different aspects of the B&O in more detail this publication includes a fine general history of the railroad with wonderful historical photos (many in color). If you're interested in perhaps purchasing this book please visit The Railroad Diamond by clicking the tab in the menu to your left marked "TRD Store".

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