Baltimore & Ohio Ellicott City Station Museum

The Baltimore and Ohio Ellicott City Station Museum is the oldest railroad station in America!

The B&O Ellicott City Station Museum is the terminus of the first 13 miles of Baltimore and Ohio Railroad. Named for its point of origin, Baltimore, and its intended destination, the Ohio River, the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad was founded in 1827 as the first common carrier railroad in the United States.

Passenger services to Ellicott City (then Ellicott’s Mills) began in May 1830. Originally, horse-drawn rail cars were used to travel between Baltimore and Ellicott’s Mills. In August 1830, the B&O demonstrated the first American-built steam locomotive, known as the Tom Thumb, at Ellicott's Mills.

Built in 1831, The Ellicott City station was originally designed as a freight depot. In 1857, the station was renovated to accommodate passengers. Although passenger service to Ellicott City ended in 1949, freight service continued until 1972. The station was designated a National Historic Landmark in 1968.

Following its closure in 1972, the station was restored by Historic Ellicott City, Inc. Today, the Ellicott City Station Museum is managed by the Historic and Cultural Resources Section of the Howard County Department of Recreation and Parks. 

Admission to the Baltimore and Ohio Station Museum is free. Donations are welcome. The museum is on two levels, with a set of stairs to the second floor. There is no elevator, but the museum has an accessible ramp outside of the building in the Turntable Pit.

The first floor includes a gift store, restrooms and the Freight Agent's Office. The second floor showcases the Superintendent's Office, the Telegraph/Ticket Office, the Men’s Waiting Room, and the Car House.

Outside, through the platform doors in the Waiting Room is the Freight House, which houses a HO-scale model depicting the first 13 miles of the B&O Railroad from Baltimore to Ellicott City, and our recently restored Caboose -- built in 1927.

Are you looking for a unique event space? The B&O Ellicott City Station Museum is available for rental. For more information on availability, prices, and times, please contact Sydney Younge at syounge@howardcountymd.gov or call 410-313-1945.

The B&O Ellicott City Station Museum is now offering hour-long guided group tours! There is a charge of $10 per person. Please email Conor Conneally, cconneally@howardcountymd.gov to schedule. 

Please check out our historic photo gallery

Baltimore & Ohio Ellicott City Station Museum
3711 Maryland Avenue
Ellicott City, MD 21043
410-313-1945

Private Tours
Conor Conneally, 410-313-2924, cconneally@howardcountymd.gov

Museum Rentals
Sydney Younge, 410-313-1945, syounge@howardcountymd.gov