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Discussion relating to the B&O up to it's 1972 merger into Chessie System. Visit the B&O Railroad Historical Society for more information. Also discussion of the C&O up to 1972. Visit the C&O Historical Society for more information. Also includes the WM up to 1972. Visit the WM Historical Society for more information.
 #647822  by chnhrr
 
This weekend I visited Frederick Maryland and stumbled upon the old B & O station in the center of town. Abraham Lincoln gave a speech there in October of 1862. The station is in fine shape and serves as a community center. Can anyone inform me of the construction date of the structure (possibly 1850-54) and the date the station was decommissioned or closed?
 #650086  by hutton_switch
 
I'm providing an answer to your question by quoting from two sources on two architects who were involved in the design of B&O stations and buildings. The first architect was an partnership between John Rudolph Niernsee and James Crawford Neilson. Randolph W. Chalfant & Charles Belfoure's book, Niernsee and Neilson, Architects of Baltimore - Two Careers on the Edge of the Future, provides information and photos of B&O stations, including the Frederick station. The second architect, Ephraim Francis Baldwin, wasn't involved in the original design and construction of the Frederick, MD station, but was involved in a later addition. Carlos P. Avery's book, E. Francis Baldwin, Architect - The B&O, Baltimore, and Beyond provides additional information on the Frederick station, as well as information and photos of other B&O stations and structures.

Here is a quote from Chalfant/Belfoure, p. 69:

"Niernsee & Neilson's 1854 Frederick passenger station at All Saints and Market Streets replaced an 1832 building. This building also had a three-story tower with round arched windows attached to a smaller two-story structure where the passenger waiting area and ticket counter was located. A canopy supported by ornamental iron columns provided cover for arriving and departing passengers. The building still stands in Frederick."

Here is a quote from Avery, p. 40:

"The original B&O station in Frederick, Maryland, was an Italianate building designed by Niernsee in 1854 and built at a cost of about $5,500. It is located on the corner of All Saints and market Streets, in downtown Frederick, at the end of a stub siding. In 1891-92, Baldwin was responsible for an addition to the east end of this station which cost $8,475.50. B&O floor plans for this station are in the Smithsonian collection. Railroad operations to this station ceased in 1948; the building still stands, in restored condition, and is on the National Register of Historic Places."
 #650188  by chnhrr
 
Mr. Rice

Thank you for your posting. As an architect and amateur historian, I found it highly informative. Having toured Baltimore on several occasions, I am familiar with some of the original architectural firm’s work. E. Francis Baldwin included in his architectural repertoire the Mount Royal Station in Baltimore and the famous Point of Rocks Station near Harper’s Ferry. It is interesting that the station continued in operation until 1948. At that time trains would have been traveling along a city street.

On a side note, President Lincoln stopped in Frederick on October 4, 1862 to meet with the convalescing General George Lucas Hartsuff who had been wounded in the Battle of Antietam two weeks prior. Before departing back to Washington by train, Lincoln made an impromptu speech at the train station to the excited townsfolk and soldiers of Frederick.

Chuck Crawford
Alexandria, Virginia
Last edited by chnhrr on Mon Mar 16, 2009 8:18 pm, edited 1 time in total.
 #650324  by BaltOhio
 
Just to supplement Wade's definitive answer, it might be noted that the B&O was big on Italianate buildings at this time. Among others were the Washington, D.C. terminal (Niernsee & Nielson, 1850-51), Camden Station in Baltimore (also N&N, 1856-57, expanded 1865 and now restored to its 1865 appearance), Wheeling (1853), and Grafton (unknown, mid-1850s).