Baltimore and Ohio Railroad Groundbreaking

On July 4, 1828, construction began on the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad, America's first common-carrier railroad open to the public for freight and passengers. The ceremony took place at the site of the future Carrollton Viaduct, with Charles Carroll of Carrollton, the last surviving signer of the Declaration of Independence, laying the cornerstone. The B&O was conceived to compete with the Erie Canal by linking the port of Baltimore to the Ohio River. Early engineering challenges included steep grades and the need for innovative track design using stone and iron. The railroad's success spurred the rapid expansion of the U.S. rail network and influenced locomotive development, including the famous Tom Thumb. Its formation marked the birth of the modern American railroad industry and connected eastern ports to western markets, fueling industrial growth.