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Page 34 November 2016 The Catoctin Banner Newspaper www.TheCatoctinBanner.com Published by www.EPlusPromotes.com
The Western Mar yland
1872 C o m e s t o M e c h a n i c s t o w n
by James Rada, Jr.
Thurmont’s stop on the Western Photo Courtesy of Thurmontimages.com and featured two waiting rooms,
Maryland Railway makes up only stationmaster and telegrapher’s
a paragraph in the history of the The Western Maryland Railway station in Thurmont. office, and sanitary facilities. The
railroad. For Thurmont, however, grounds were graced with four large
it was a major event that not only original charter in 1852 called of this news, several parties in our grass plots, one on the east, one
helped shape the town’s future but for the railroad to be built to the town and vicinity have commenced, on the west side of the station, and
also gave it its unique name. headwaters of the Monocacy River, sinking shafts in close proximity to two in the front. These plots were
which meant that the terminus the road for the discovery of ore and beautified with ornamental grasses
The Western Maryland Railway would be at Mechanicstown or ore banks, which, we are persuaded, and flowers, protected by low guard
began in 1852 as the Baltimore, Rocky Ridge. exist in quantities in our very rails. The front plots had large lawn
Carroll, and Frederick Railroad. midst,” according to the newspaper. vases in the center with blooming
The goal at that time was to build An 1871 article in the Catoctin These speculators were searching for flowers,” Wireman described the
a railroad from Baltimore to Clarion noted, “May it not be said iron that could be smelted into pig new depot.
Washington County. of the people of Mechanicstown that iron at Catoctin Furnace and used
they have pinned their faith to the for making rails. Besides the increased business,
The Maryland General Assembly Western Maryland Railroad? This the Western Maryland Railway
changed the name to the Western great artery of travel and commerce, When the railroad opened to had another major change on
Maryland Rail Road Company the hampered as it has been and still is, Mechanicstown later in 1872, Mechanicstown in 1894. Because
following year. For many years, has done much for the section of the George Wireman wrote in Gateway of the number of towns along
the terminus of the railroad was at country through which it passes…” to the Mountains, “A group of civic- the line with names similar to
Union Bridge, where it had reached minded citizens arranged a reception Mechanicstown, the Post Office
in 1862. Lobbying was begun to try and a banquet for the railroad Department requested that the name
and get construction to resume officials and their guests. This event be changed. Thurmont was chosen
However, this was not the goal once more on the railroad, and on took place in the local warehouse after much debate and a town vote.
of the railroad. Mechanicstown February 24, 1872, the Catoctin and a gala celebration was enjoyed
knew that it was positioned along Clarion announced, “Rejoice, people by all who attended.” The Western Maryland Railway
the proposed route of the railroad of Mechanicstown!” A vote had served Thurmont until 1967 when
and wanted to see it completed, been taken a few days earlier in The depot was built on the site of the station closed.
as did many other people. The Baltimore that was overwhelmingly an old cannery, and a water tower
in favor of continuing the was built just to the north of it. The
construction of the Western Mechanicstown Station also had a
Maryland Railway to Hagerstown freight yard and engine house.
and beyond.
The railroad brought so much
“This vote is the harbinger of a business and travelers into the area
new era for this great enterprise,” that a new depot and associated
the newspaper reported. facilities eventually had to be built
near Carroll Street.
The announcement brought with
it some immediate economic activity “The new depot was built along
in town. “Already on the strength the main line near Carroll Street
Your Paper — Your News!
Send us your community news and photographs
to share with others.
Deadline for submission is on or before the 15th
of the month prior to the issue month.
• news@thecatoctinbanner.com • 301-447-2946 fax •
• 301-447-2804 phone •
The Western Mar yland
1872 C o m e s t o M e c h a n i c s t o w n
by James Rada, Jr.
Thurmont’s stop on the Western Photo Courtesy of Thurmontimages.com and featured two waiting rooms,
Maryland Railway makes up only stationmaster and telegrapher’s
a paragraph in the history of the The Western Maryland Railway station in Thurmont. office, and sanitary facilities. The
railroad. For Thurmont, however, grounds were graced with four large
it was a major event that not only original charter in 1852 called of this news, several parties in our grass plots, one on the east, one
helped shape the town’s future but for the railroad to be built to the town and vicinity have commenced, on the west side of the station, and
also gave it its unique name. headwaters of the Monocacy River, sinking shafts in close proximity to two in the front. These plots were
which meant that the terminus the road for the discovery of ore and beautified with ornamental grasses
The Western Maryland Railway would be at Mechanicstown or ore banks, which, we are persuaded, and flowers, protected by low guard
began in 1852 as the Baltimore, Rocky Ridge. exist in quantities in our very rails. The front plots had large lawn
Carroll, and Frederick Railroad. midst,” according to the newspaper. vases in the center with blooming
The goal at that time was to build An 1871 article in the Catoctin These speculators were searching for flowers,” Wireman described the
a railroad from Baltimore to Clarion noted, “May it not be said iron that could be smelted into pig new depot.
Washington County. of the people of Mechanicstown that iron at Catoctin Furnace and used
they have pinned their faith to the for making rails. Besides the increased business,
The Maryland General Assembly Western Maryland Railroad? This the Western Maryland Railway
changed the name to the Western great artery of travel and commerce, When the railroad opened to had another major change on
Maryland Rail Road Company the hampered as it has been and still is, Mechanicstown later in 1872, Mechanicstown in 1894. Because
following year. For many years, has done much for the section of the George Wireman wrote in Gateway of the number of towns along
the terminus of the railroad was at country through which it passes…” to the Mountains, “A group of civic- the line with names similar to
Union Bridge, where it had reached minded citizens arranged a reception Mechanicstown, the Post Office
in 1862. Lobbying was begun to try and a banquet for the railroad Department requested that the name
and get construction to resume officials and their guests. This event be changed. Thurmont was chosen
However, this was not the goal once more on the railroad, and on took place in the local warehouse after much debate and a town vote.
of the railroad. Mechanicstown February 24, 1872, the Catoctin and a gala celebration was enjoyed
knew that it was positioned along Clarion announced, “Rejoice, people by all who attended.” The Western Maryland Railway
the proposed route of the railroad of Mechanicstown!” A vote had served Thurmont until 1967 when
and wanted to see it completed, been taken a few days earlier in The depot was built on the site of the station closed.
as did many other people. The Baltimore that was overwhelmingly an old cannery, and a water tower
in favor of continuing the was built just to the north of it. The
construction of the Western Mechanicstown Station also had a
Maryland Railway to Hagerstown freight yard and engine house.
and beyond.
The railroad brought so much
“This vote is the harbinger of a business and travelers into the area
new era for this great enterprise,” that a new depot and associated
the newspaper reported. facilities eventually had to be built
near Carroll Street.
The announcement brought with
it some immediate economic activity “The new depot was built along
in town. “Already on the strength the main line near Carroll Street
Your Paper — Your News!
Send us your community news and photographs
to share with others.
Deadline for submission is on or before the 15th
of the month prior to the issue month.
• news@thecatoctinbanner.com • 301-447-2946 fax •
• 301-447-2804 phone •