19th Century Immigrants

Caption: The President's visit to the Army of the Potomac -- Arrival at the station at Frederick Sketched by Mr. Hamilton
The President’s visit to the Army of the Potomac — Arrival at the station at Frederick Sketched by Mr. Hamilton

The B&O Railroad completed its Frederick Branch to Harper’s Ferry, Cumberland, and the Ohio River in 1831. Irish immigrants, escaping Ireland’s Hunger Famine of 1845-1853, worked for the B&O and other railroads. Many such laborers established themselves here, producing subsequent generations of railroad employees.


Telegraph Mainline Sounder

Telegraph Mainline Sounder, Frederick Passenger Station, Baltimore & Ohio Railroad | Donated by B. Richard Harrington
Telegraph Mainline Sounder, Frederick Passenger Station, Baltimore & Ohio Railroad

Prior to the invention of telephones, the telegraph provided efficient communication between railroad stations. Developed in 1850, the sounder used electromagnets to translate electrical current and allowed operators to “hear” Morse Code as a series of short and long tones, called “pips”.. This one came from the Frederick Passenger Station of the B&O Railroad.

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