Program Note

A brief public service announcement:
On Sunday, January 17, from 2 PM until 4PM I will be at the Northeast Community Center in Chesapeake Beach, Calvert County, Maryland, talking about the Drum Point Railroad (1868-1890). This is a project I did back in 1990 with Paula Mask, although updated with some new material. All are welcome.

The Chesapeake Beach Railway Museum is sponsoring the presentation.

Jim

Railroad Woes

1864 map.





1897 map.


On January 1, 1873, the Popes Creek Branch of the Baltimore and Potomac Railroad opened for regular service between Upper Marlboro in Prince George's County to Popes Creek, Maryland. Take a look at the 1864 map of the region, drafted by the United States Army. The railroad, of course, isn't there, but Port Tobacco is. Now look at the 1897 map: not only does it depict the railroad, but it shows the railroad passing through the relatively new town of La Plata and bypassing Port Tobacco. La Plata does not appear on the 1864 map.


This is not an unusual story. Hollywood westerns often portray parties feuding over the location of prospective railroads, each side recognizing the economic benefits of being a station and the potential economic catastrophe of being bypassed in favor of a neighboring settlement. Such stories are true, and they are no less true for Eastern localities than those on the plains and deserts of the West. Port Tobacco was not on the line and La Plata was: the outcome seemed certain, but it is a testament to the resolve of Port Tobaccoans and the home field advantage of hosting the county seat that it took more than 20 years for La Plata to prevail.

By the way: April and I have been busy editing some works for publication, one that I am revising with some other colleagues on the responses of New York State farmers to the rapid growth of the cheese factory system, the other an edited volume that April has spearheaded on the archaeology of institutions (schools, asylums, prisons). Sorry: neither is likely to appear on the shelves of your local bookseller.

Port Tobacco in 1878

The text of the 1878 Maryland Directory is available on-line at the New River Notes website.

Below is what the directory has to say about Port Tobacco. Notice that other than the postmistress, the only women identified are in the millinery and notions business.

Port Tobacco
The county seat, is 2 miles from a station of that name on the Pope's Creek branch of the B. & P. R R., and 4 miles from Chappell's Point on the Potomac River. The situation is near the head of Port Tobacco Creek, a small stream that makes up from the river. Port Tobacco contains the usual number of county buildings. A canal has been dug to drain the marshy ground in the vicinity, and if kept properly cleaned would add much to the health of the town. Climate is mild, and the crops are generally good. Land In fertile, mostly cleared, and is capable of improvement; can be bought at from $5 to $50 per acre, according to location and improvements. Produces 12 bus. wheat, 15 oats, 150 potatoes, 30 to 40 corn, 800 to 1,200 lbs. tobacco, and 1 ton hay. The churches and schools are ample for the accommodation of the inhabitants. Crescentia Grange 57, P. of H., M. Chapman, Master; Wm. Boswell, Secretary. Population 200. Miss , Postmistress.

Attorneys at Law.
Chapman, A G.
Edelen, H H
Hawkins, Josiah
Btone & Mitchell
Stonestreet & Digges

Blacksmith
Wade,C. E.

Dentist
Cobey, A. D.

General Merchandise
Boswell, Wm. & Co.
Lacey, Joseph I.
Padgett, W. W.
Roberts, J. H. & Co.

Hotels
Centennial, Geo. A Huntt
St Charles, T J Moore

Millers.
Ammon, Col J S
Ketchicy, William

Millinery and Notions.
Quenzel, Mrs Adelaide
Smoot, Mrs J V

Painter.
Milton, Chas H

Stoves and Tinware.
Wheeler, B L

Tailors.
Murdock, R L & Son

Watches and Jewelry.
Quenzel, Julius

-April