Mount Royal Station facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Mount Royal Station
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The former B&O station, now part of the Maryland Institute College of Art, in 2009
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| Line(s) | Baltimore and Ohio Railroad | |||||||||||
| History | ||||||||||||
| Opened | September 1, 1896 | |||||||||||
| Closed | June 30, 1959 | |||||||||||
| Former services | ||||||||||||
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Mount Royal Station
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 Location in Baltimore
Location in Maryland
Location in the United States
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| Location | Baltimore, Maryland | |||||||||||
| Area | 6 acres (2.4 ha) | |||||||||||
| Built | 1896 | |||||||||||
| Architect | Ephraim Francis Baldwin, Josias Pennington | |||||||||||
| Architectural style | Renaissance | |||||||||||
| NRHP reference No. | 73002191 | |||||||||||
| Significant dates | ||||||||||||
| Added to NRHP | June 18, 1973 | |||||||||||
| Designated NHL | December 8, 1976 | |||||||||||
The Mount Royal Station and Trainshed was a busy train station in Baltimore, Maryland. It was built by the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad (B&O). This station was special because it was the first in the world to use electric trains for passengers. It opened on September 1, 1896. The station was a stop for the famous Royal Blue train line. After many years, it closed as a train station in 1961. Today, it is part of the Maryland Institute College of Art (MICA). The building is now used for art studios, keeping its original look.
Contents
History of the B&O Station
Building the Station
A Baltimore architect named E. Francis Baldwin designed the station. It was built in 1896 by the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad (B&O). This was part of a huge project to improve their train service to New York.
The station was made from Maryland granite and limestone. It had a red tile roof and a tall, 150-foot (46 m) clocktower. Inside, the station had marble floors, two fireplaces, and rocking chairs. It opened on September 1, 1896. People at the time thought it was the most beautiful station in the country used by just one railroad.
Train Travel at Mount Royal
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Mount Royal Station was a pioneer in train technology. When it opened in 1896, the B&O was the first in the U.S. to use an electric power system for its main train lines. This system used an overhead third rail in the station's trainshed and tunnels.
The most famous train at Mount Royal Station was the Royal Blue. This train traveled between Washington, D.C. and New York City. Many important people used the station over the years. These included U.S. Presidents like Woodrow Wilson and Dwight D. Eisenhower. Famous people like "Buffalo Bill" Cody and singer Enrico Caruso also passed through.
The B&O stopped passenger service north of Baltimore in 1958. After that, Mount Royal Station became the last stop for B&O passenger trains. On June 30, 1961, the B&O moved all its Baltimore passenger service to another station. This meant Mount Royal Station stopped being a train station after 65 years.
Becoming an Art Studio
After it closed, the empty station building and its train shed were bought by the Maryland Institute College of Art (MICA) in 1964. MICA bought the property for a very good price. They raised money to turn the station into a place for art students.
The station was changed for art students in 1967. The old baggage room and platforms were turned into studios. The outside of the station and its clock tower were kept the same. The long, 800-foot (240 m) iron trainshed is still there today. It stands over active train tracks used by CSX Transportation.
This project was a great example of adaptive reuse. This means using an old building for a new purpose while keeping its original look. The architects made sure to keep the station's beautiful vaulted ceilings, columns, and mosaic floor.
In 1976, the station became a National Historic Landmark. This means it is a very important historical site. The train shed was repaired in 1985 because it was getting old. In 1992, the AIA honored the project for its excellent design.
Between 2005 and 2007, MICA spent $6.3 million to renovate the building again. They cleaned and restored the interior, including the mosaic tile floors and marble columns. They also improved the classrooms and studio spaces. The outside of the building and the train shed were also fixed up. A new plaza with benches and plants was added outside.
Today, the building is called the Station Building by MICA. It holds different art departments, classrooms, and studios for students.
Images for kids
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The former B&O station, now part of the Maryland Institute College of Art, in 2009
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Mount Royal Station, March 1960
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The station's interior in 1958
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A CSX Transportation train under the trainshed in 2009
