Historical background report - Baltimore and Ohio Railroad, Harpers Ferry Station

Lee, Andrew; Ravenhorst, John

The Baltimore & Ohio Railroad, conceived in the 1820s by the merchants of Baltimore as a way to capture a share of the burgeoning frontier trade, reached Harpers Ferry, (West) Virginia in December 1836. Though it was considered a marvel of surveying and engineering in its time, the B&O’s main line from Baltimore to Wheeling incorporated numerous impediments to efficient operation- grades too steep, bridges too light, and curves too sharp. Oftentimes these conditions were the consequence of the need to select initial routes and construction methods based on financial constraints rather than engineering ideals. Compromises were made in order to complete the line quickly to the established end point, thereby initiating a flow of revenue. With the capital thus generated, the B&O could go back and make improvements along the line to increase the efficiency of its operations. Because of its unique physical geography, the landscape at Harpers Ferry presented B&O engineers numerous challenges. The train station at Harpers Ferry provides an excellent opportunity to study the relationship between railroad engineering and railroad economics. Designed by architect E. Francis Baldwin, the station was built as the finishing touch on a series of improvement made to the main line at Harpers Ferry from 1892-94. The station was moved from its original location to its present site in 1931 during a second round of improvements. Both sets of improvements were made during periods of economic uncertainty and both significantly modified the historic landscape of Harpers Ferry. The station is historically significant today, not only for its association with a notable architect, but also because it continues a long record of service for the region’s rail passengers. This historic background report focuses on the history of the station within the context of the B&O’s alignment and facilities at Harpers Ferry. The financial health of the railroad during crucial episodes of the station’s history is also a central theme. Part One is a review of the early history of the railroad at Harpers Ferry. It explains how and why the railroad reached the town in the first place. It also recounts how the B&O’s dangerous and inefficient alignment came to be. Part Two covers the 1892-94 improvements to the alignment. Details of the construction and description of the station are included. These details are examined within the context of the career of its architect as well as general trends in passenger station design of the era. Part Three begins with a discussion of the 1930-31 improvements to the B&O main line at Harpers Ferry. These were the last major betterments made to the line in town. Structural changes were made to the station as well, and these are also discussed. Lastly, this section recalls the more recent history of the station, a history that mirrors the slow decline of the railroads as they faced increasing competition from other modes of transportation. The report ends with the National Park Service acquisition of the station.

Historical background report - Baltimore and Ohio Railroad, Harpers Ferry Station

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