In the early days of steam power, when the railroad locomotive
was rather new in the U.S., a famous race was run between a gray
horse and an ‘iron horse,’ which the gray horse won.
It became a famous race, and in Maryland they still tell the
story. The date was August 28, 1830, the day when a new small
locomotive, the Tom Thumb, was being given its first run on the
Attached to the Tom Thumb was an open car, and in the car were
directors of the B & O and their friends, on the way from
Baltimore to Ellicott City for this debut. The unplanned race began
near Ellicott City. Here is the story, from a historical
account:
Andrew Ellicott, who is honored as a historic personage in
Lancaster, Pennsylvania, founded a town in Maryland with his
brothers, Joseph and John.
Ellicott City grew from the farm which the brothers created on
the shores of the Patapsco River after their purchase of 700 acres
in 1772 nearly 20 years before Andrew became a resident of
Lancaster.
The Howard District of Ann Arundel County was formed in 1840
with judicial powers, county commissioners, a sheriff and other
regular officers, but without representation as a separate county.
Ellicott Mills easily won the honor of becoming the site of the
Court House for the new district. In 1851 the district became
Howard County, named after John Eager Howard. A city charter was
secured for Ellicott Mills in 1867 and the name was changed to
Ellicott City.
Today Ellicott City is a delightful place to visit, a place
southwest of Baltimore with a story encompassing many American
generations.
The three Quaker Ellicott brothers paid $3.00 an acre for their
land, in order to grow wheat and build a mill to grind it. They
were men of genius and resourcefulness, aided financially by
Charles Carroll of Carrollton, signer of the Declaration of
Independence.
After they got started with wheat production, farmers no longer
had to rely on tobacco for their sole cash crop. The Ellicotts
built roads, bridges and a wharf in Baltimore so that they could
more readily send their products abroad.
They introduced the wagon brake, and pioneered in use of plaster
for fertilizer; built ironworks, a furnace and rolling mills,
setting the foundation for Ellicott Mills’ growing reputation
as an industrial center.
To enhance community life, they built schools, stores and houses
from granite quarried nearby, along with a Quaker meetinghouse.
Andrew, as Lancastrians know, was a skilled engineer. His brothers
showed matching proficiency.
Coming of the railroad brought new distinction to Ellicott City.
Construction of the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad, a pioneer line,
began in 1828 and in 1831 Ellicott City became the first terminus
for any railroad in America. There were only 13 miles of track, but
in those days that was a lot of track. No other railroad could make
that claim.
The stone building which was the first station is still
standing, and is being restored to house one of the most complete
American railroad libraries and museums in the country. It contains
a visitor’s center to provide information, and a gift shop.
In the restored brick freight building, you can see a
re-creation of the first 13 miles of track, with an HO gauge model
layout in a setting of the 1830s. A sight and sound show is offered
here.
Both the passenger and the freight station have been given
National Landmark status.
Between the two buildings is the turntable area, where trains
would be turned in order to make the return trip to Baltimore. The
area is now partially uncovered through archaeological digging.
Visitors are given a guided tour through the station en route to
the freight house. They may also climb aboard a recently acquired
1927 B&O wooden caboose.
The restoration is a project of Howard County and Historic
Ellicott City, Inc., a non-profit community organization.
Ellicott City has another claim to fame. It was the site of a
famous race between the small Tom Thumb locomotive and a horse. The
race took place August 28, 1830. An open car was attached to the
Tom Thumb, since this was the first day the trip was made by steam.
The directors and their friends were in the open car on a happy
excursion.
‘As the engine approached Relay House, named for relays of
horses trotting cars from place to place, a car owned by Stockton
and Stokes, the great stage proprietors of the day, was being
pulled toward Baltimore on the second track by a gallant gray
beauty.
‘It was here, in this mood of frivolity, that the race
between animal and ‘iron horse’ began. With a snort of the
horse and a puff of the engine, the horse got off ahead. Finally,
as the engine’s steam came up, the ‘Tom Thumb’ overtook
the horse and with a cheer from those aboard, the gray was
passed.
‘Its driver, being outdistanced, was ready to concede
victory to the steam-puffing monster when a band slipped from the
drum used to drive the pulley on the blower. The engine ceased to
scream and panted as if out of breath and the gray horse, now
encouraged by its driver surged ahead. The horse had won this
contest. ‘Photo courtesy of B.&O. RR Station Museum,
Ellicott City, Md.
