A need for cheap, long distance transportation brings a new idea to the US......
Railroads were being used in Great Britain, and Americans were visiting this country to see what they were all about. The use of railroads in Great Britain had decreased the cost of shipping by 60-70%. In the United States, individuals were experimenting with small railroads, but a long distance railroad had not been created yet. As of 1827, many harbors and canals were underway. In 1825, the Erie Canal had officially opened. This canal connected the Atlantic Ocean to the Great Lakes. At this time, the use of railroads had not begun, and water was the most efficient form of transportation. Baltimore, Maryland was one of the largest cities in the nation, and they had yet to invest in a main source of transportation. With the use of a railroad, they knew they could compete with New York in providing cheaper transportation. It was at this time that the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad was formed. On July 4, 1828, the first railroad was under construction in the United States. |
This image shows a bond that the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad company used to fund their railroad project.
At this time, it was very difficult to finance railroad projects. Resources and money were low as the United States was beginning its expansion west. However, the B&O Railroad company was able to raise $4,000,000 in only 12 days. |
The image to the right is a map of the B&O Railroad after major expansions. This map was found in the Library of Congress. |
A map of the baltimore & ohio railroad. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://memory.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/h?ammem/gmd:@field(NUMBER @band(g3701p rr003380)) (Image of map)
Baltimore & ohio. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://csx.history.railfan.net/history/histbo.html
Early american railroads. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.ushistory.org/us/25b.asp (Image of bond)
The erie canal. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.pbs.org/wnet/newyork//laic/episode1/topic7/e1_t7_s1-ec.html
Baltimore & ohio. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://csx.history.railfan.net/history/histbo.html
Early american railroads. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.ushistory.org/us/25b.asp (Image of bond)
The erie canal. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.pbs.org/wnet/newyork//laic/episode1/topic7/e1_t7_s1-ec.html