Baltimore & Ohio Railroad Bridge Ruins
By Bryant Litton
HIS 201, Fall 2021
The Baltimore and Ohio Bridge at Harper’s Ferry has multiple connections to American history. The bridge facilitated an industrial boom in the early-to-mid 1800’s, as well as economic opportunities to points west. This bridge also was the means for a raid that will never be forgotten from history. During the American Civil War, the B&O Bridge served as a link between the North and the South. Today, the original bridge is in ruins, however, the B&O company constructed another bridge that is still in use.
The Baltimore and Ohio company first broke ground on the bridge at Harper’s Ferry in 1828. Use of this bridge began in the 1830’s. This bridge connected then-Virginia and Maryland across the Potomac River. Original functions of this bridge were for trains to move materials and labor. The town of Harper’s Ferry underwent an economic and industrial boom after this bridge was constructed. This bridge made Harper’s Ferry more accessible to the government and the Federal Arsenal located in Harper’s Ferry. It also helped multiple factories grow, such as Hall’s Rifle Works and the Shenandoah Pulp Factory. This growth and access to Harper’s Ferry made it a valuable location during the American Civil War.
In 1859, the B&O Bridge at Harper’s Ferry was the pathway for one of the most famous revolts in American history. On October 16, 1859, an abolitionist by the name of John Brown launched an attack on Harper’s Ferry. His intention was to raid the Federal Arsenal at Harper’s Ferry. His reasoning for this was he wanted to capture arms and lead a slave uprising. Brown and his men surrendered to the U.S. Marines, who arrived from Washington by train by way of the B&O Bridge.
During the American Civil War, the B&O Bridge had to be rebuilt nine times. The bridge was destroyed by both the Union and Confederacy four times, and floods destroyed the bridge five times. This bridge served as a link between the North and the South during the war. Both the Union and Confederacy saw Harper’s Ferry as a strategic location. In April 1861, the Union evacuated Harper’s Ferry, and the Confederates moved in. The Confederates were looking to control the armory, however the Union had set fire to it upon leaving. The Confederates were able to salvage some equipment from the armory and sent it south. The Rebels then decided to leave Harper’s Ferry and decided to burn the factories and the bridge as they were leaving in 1861.
The B&O company built the bridge back in 1862 when the Union occupied the town. The bridge was destroyed again by the Confederates after the Battle of Antietam. The B&O company again rebuilt the bridge. In 1863, the Union destroyed the bridge during the Gettysburg Campaign. Again, the B&O company rebuilt the bridge after the Confederates had retreated. In July of 1864 the bridge was destroyed during the final invasion of the North. When the Confederates withdrew from Maryland, the B&O company rebuilt the bridge. The Union then used this bridge to move supplies into the armory for Sheridan to use during the Valley Campaign. The B&O railroad was instrumental in defeating the Confederates in the Shenandoah Valley.
Today, the ruins of the old B&O Bridge at Harper’s Ferry provide a reminder of many events that helped shape our nation today. Railroading is still very much alive in Harper’s Ferry, and although the B&O company no longer exists by name, their contribution lives on through the CSX company, which operates the rails that go through Harper’s Ferry.
Harpers Ferry National Historic Park. “Harpers Ferry-Baltimore & Ohio Bridge Ruins.” nps.gov/places/harpers-ferry-baltimore-ohio-bridge-ruins.htm
Kirby, Jim. Harpers Ferry: A Crossroads in Time. Mountain Trail Press, Winter 2009.
Rafuse, Ethan S. Antietam, South Mountain, and Harpers Ferry: A Battlefield Guide. University of Nebraska Press, 2008. EBSCOhost, ezproxy.hagerstowncc.edu:2343/login.aspx?direct=true&db=cat05378a&AN=hcc.600890&site=eds-live&scope=site.