The Franklin Mint History Of The United States, 1776-1973
Manufacturer
The Franklin Mint
DateNo Date
MediumSilver
DimensionsOverall: 1 3/4 in. (45 mm.)
ClassificationsDecorative arts
Credit LineGift of Dr. Eugene F. Poutasse
Object number76.81.53
On View
Not on viewThe 1828 medal: First Stone Laid on Baltimore & Ohio Railroad
On February 28,1827 the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad Company was chartered by the State of Maryland. Construction began when the first stone was laid on July 4, 1828. Charles Carroll, a director of the railroad and one of the wealthiest men in America, had the honor of turning the first shovel of dirt.
A crowd estimated at ten thousand turned out for one of the most enthusiastic celebrations in America until then. The 91-year-old Carroll, last surviving signer of the Declaration of Independence, stated "I consider this among the most important acts in my life, second only to my signing the Declaration of Independence, if even it be second to that."
The railroad was initially built from Baltimore to Ellicott's Mills, Maryland, a distance of 13 miles. On January 7, 1830 the B&O began its first scheduled trips. From the beginning, the directors planned to use horses to pull the cars so, while the B&O has the distinction of being the first American railroad public carrier in regular service, it was a horsecar and not a train transported by steam.
Peter Cooper, a wealthy New York State investor sought to stimulate the railroad by convincing the directors that steam should be used. He built a small experimental locomotive called the 'Tom Thumb' which raced a horse on August 28, 1830. Steam power was winning when the blower belt broke.
Nevertheless, its possibilities left an impression. In January 1831, the directors offered a prize of $4000 for the best steam engine. Phineas Davis, a watchmaker from York, Pa. won. It was found that his locomotive could average 15 miles-per-hour at an operating cost of $16 a day, compared to $33 for a horse. Named the 'York,' it was placed on a one-trip-a-day schedule in July. By the end of 1835, the B&O was "the way to go" -entirely by steam.
