Carrollton Viaduct facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Carrollton Viaduct |
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Carrollton Viaduct over the Gwynns Falls stream in southwest Baltimore, first bridge built 1828-1829 for the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad, founded 1827. Pictured in 1971
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| Carries | Railroad |
| Crosses | Gwynns Falls |
| Locale | Baltimore, Maryland |
| Owner | CSX Transportation |
| Characteristics | |
| Design | Arch bridge |
| Material | Granite |
| Total length | 312 feet (95 m) |
| Height | 65 feet (20 m) |
| Longest span | 80 feet (24 m) |
| Clearance below | 51 feet 9 inches (15.8 m) |
| History | |
| Construction begin | 1828 |
| Opened | 1829 |
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Carrollton Viaduct
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 Carrollton Viaduct
Location in Baltimore
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| Location | Gwynn's Falls near Carroll Park, Baltimore, Maryland |
| Built | 1829 |
| Architect | James Lloyd; Caspar Wever |
| NRHP reference No. | 71001032 |
| Significant dates | |
| Added to NRHP | November 11, 1971 |
| Designated NHL | November 11, 1971 |
The Carrollton Viaduct is a very old and important bridge in Baltimore, Maryland. It crosses the Gwynns Falls stream. This bridge was the very first stone bridge built in the United States for trains!
Construction on the bridge began in 1828 and finished in 1829. It was built for the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad, which started in 1827. The bridge is named after Charles Carroll of Carrollton. He was a famous person from Maryland. He was the last person to sign the United States Declaration of Independence. He was also the only Roman Catholic in the Second Continental Congress. This was an important meeting during the American Revolutionary War.
In 1982, the Carrollton Viaduct was given a special award. It was named a Historic Civil Engineering Landmark. This award comes from the American Society of Civil Engineers.
What Makes This Bridge Special?
The Carrollton Viaduct is one of the oldest railroad bridges in the world. It is still used by trains today. It carries much heavier loads than people first imagined it would.
The bridge is named after Charles Carroll of Carrollton. He was a director of the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad. He helped start the bridge by laying its first stone. This happened on July 4, 1828. He said it was one of the most important things he ever did. He felt it was almost as important as signing the Declaration of Independence.
The builder, Caspar Wever, and the designer, James Lloyd, finished the bridge in November 1829. It cost about $58,106.73 at the time. Some people think the real cost might have been closer to $100,000.
How Big Is the Carrollton Viaduct?
The bridge is 312 feet (95 meters) long. It stands about 65 feet (20 meters) tall from its base. The bridge is about 51 feet and 9 inches (15.77 meters) above the Gwynns Falls stream.
It has a large arch that spans 80 feet (24 meters) over the stream. This arch allows two train tracks to cross on top. There is also a special arched path built into the bridge. This path is 16 feet (4.9 meters) wide. It was made for wagons to pass underneath.
The large stone blocks used to build the bridge came from places like Ellicott's Mills and Port Deposit. A temporary wooden frame held 1,500 tons of stone during construction. A white stone on the bridge says, "James Lloyd of Maryland, Builder A.D. 1829."
Famous Visitors and Its Long Life
Andrew Jackson was a President of the United States. He was the first president to ride on a train. He crossed the Carrollton Viaduct on June 6, 1833. He was traveling between Ellicott's Mills and Baltimore.
The Carrollton Viaduct has been used continuously since it was built. It served the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad for many years. Today, it is still used by CSX Transportation, which is a modern train company.
The bridge was recognized as a National Historic Landmark on November 11, 1971. This means it is a very important historical place. It was also added to the National Register of Historic Places on the same day.
