"Trolley Barn" Power Station

By Trevor Mullen

The "Trolley Barn" Power Station is a small unassuming brick building located in the Cushwa Basin of Williamsport MD. As it stands today, the preserved building serves as a storage area for the National Park Service as part of the C & O Canal National Historical Park. The building was short lived in its original function as a power generation plant, but has a rich history in its role as the beginning of electrification in Washington County MD.

Built and placed in service in 1896 as the power source for the Hagerstown Railway, first trolley line in Washington county, it was situated on land donated by Victor Cushwa. The Trolley Barn itself housed steam powered generators that were fueled by coal from the C&O Canal and water sourced from Conococheague creek. The proximity of the power station to the C&O Canal and the creek made the location ideal. The building was quite small especially by modern standards as the trolly system it serviced had only approximately six miles of track. The Hagerstown Railway trolley service from Williamsport to Hagerstown and around the downtown Hagerstown area grew in popularity so quickly that a bigger power station was built in nearby Hagerstown the next year in 1897. The Trolley Barn power station was retired and converted into a warehouse. In 1911, Victor Cushwa purchased back the land and the building for $500.49. 

Over time the incredible popularity of the electric trolley system led to mergers between the Hagerstown Railway, Frederick Railway, and several other smaller systems. In addition to providing a connection between the many small rural towns, the larger company had recognized the value in providing electricity to local consumers. In 1922 the corporate name of the Hagerstown and Frederick Railway was changed to the Potomac Public Service Company, later to become Potomac Edison. In that same year a larger power station was commissioned in Williamsport for the sole purpose of providing electricity to consumers.

The new station was named the R. Paul Smith power station and was constructed on the land between the C.O canal and the Potomac River. The station was built for the single purpose of providing AC electricity to residents and businesses. Operation began in 1927 and was expanded upon many times. It was continually used until 2012. 
The original Trolley Barn power station however was used as bulk storage by Victor Cushwa from 1911 to 1974. It stored things like sand, ceramic pipe as well as other building materials. The lower floor was used as a garage for coal trucks. As time went on, the building would become largely vacant. It was reportedly used by Cushwa employees and other locals as a hangout spot.

1974 represented a change in fortunes for the Trolley Barn as it was recognized for its cultural significance and was purchased by the National Park Service to become a part of the C&O Canal National Historical Park. The building and the land would have to wait almost another ten years for the park concept to come to fruition. In a 1983 development concept plan the Trolley Barn is specifically identified as a structure to receive structural stabilization and an historic facelift to the exterior. While the interior would be transformed to become a visitor center and management facility. 

Despite only being a functional power station for approximately year, the site was an important step in bringing electricity to the Washington County. It was majorly impactful in showing how new technology could improve the lives of people by proving ease of travel and convenience, as well as the business opportunities in electrification. The same entrepreneurs who originally gambled on a small trolley system with an equally small power station would go on to lead the way in electrification in the region. Its effects on the area can be seen to this day as Potomac Edison is still a prominent electrical provider.

Sources

“The Hagerstown & Frederick Railway Historical Society, Inc: Virtual exhibit.” HFRHS, Inc. Accessed 10/25/2021. https://hfrhs.org/visitor/virtual-exhibit/.
Lee, J. Lawrence. “HEAR, Addendum to Potomac Edison Company, Chesapeake & Ohio Canal Bridge.” National Park Service 2008
“Phase II and Phase III Archeological Database and Inventory (Site Number 18WA481).” Maryland Historical Trust. Acessed 10/26/2021. https://mht.maryland.gov/secure/synthesis/pdf/18WA481.pdf
“Development Concept Plan for the Williamsport Area Chesapeake & Ohio Canal National Historical Park Washington County, Maryland.” National Park Service. May 1983
Rubin, Mary H. Williamsport. Charleston, South Carolina: Arcadia Publishing, 2005