Iconic Canton structure designated Baltimore City Historic Landmark
/A densely traveled path, the Canton Waterfront Promenade is a popular destination for casual walks, biking, and even some hobby fishing. Along the path, rising from the water, you will see one of Canton’s most ubiquitous landmarks - the Canton Railroad Transfer Bridge. An aged red frame secured in the water by two concrete piers, it overlooks the marina and is a unique, and to some, mysterious site. Many Canton residents may wonder about its origin and be unfamiliar with its storied past.
A Brief History of Canton and the Railroad Transfer Bridge
Dr. Raymond Bahr, a retired cardiologist and resident of Canton, has done impressive and tireless work in compiling the history of Canton and surrounding areas as part of the Canton History Project. In this work, he writes the following describing the origin of what came to be known as Canton and why its locale and the railroad transfer bridge became so important.
“What was so special and different about the Industrial Revolution that took place in the Canton Land, beginning in 1828 and lasting until the late 1980s? The Industrial Revolution in Canton was orchestrated from the very start by civic-minded Baltimoreans who created the Canton Company of Baltimore. The City of Baltimore was incorporated in 1797 after combining Baltimore Town, Jones Town, and Fells Point, but left out Canton. That came along in 1828.
However, to the credit of Baltimore and the Maryland Assembly, a CHARTER was given to the Canton Company in 1828 to build a mini-industrial city whose purpose was to compete with the successful Erie Canal that was taking trade and commerce to the West (Ohio, at that time). Some of the Business Partners who purchased the Canton Company in 1828 [believed}, “...that Canton was the proper site on which the City of Baltimore should have been built.” They had based their conclusion on the facts that the basin of the Harbor and Fells Point were too shallow for boats coming into the Harbor.
Furthermore, in their 1838 Report, the Canton Company leaders…concluded, "That Baltimore is on the Eve of experiencing a REVOLUTION like that which New York City experienced on the Opening of the Erie Canal." Thus, "we can readily see how the Canton Company took off in 1828 to not only have a large amount of land (up to 10,000 acres) along deep water with the coming of the railroads, but most importantly GREAT LEADERS who had Vision into the Future and not afraid to question why Canton was not chosen to be the site of Baltimore.
Their vision, business acumen, and community-minded nature of these leaders is what led to the rapid explosion of canning, production of oysters and tomatoes, and the expansion of the railroad. The Canton Company made a deal with the railroad to expand with a bridge over Harris Creek which extended its reach and later had enough revenue to expand the railroad north. This growth necessitated the need to be able to bring cars and materials over from Locust Point. The steel Railroad Transfer Bridge made this possible. Freight cars could be transferred on ferries, also called carfloats, and transported between the two waterfront shipping locations. Carfloating began in 1871 and continued through 1989 - a testament to the importance of the railroad and the power of industry in Canton.
The Railroad Transfer Bridge, built in 1912 in the water off of the Canton Waterfront Park, has now been designated by the Mayor and City Council as a " Baltimore City Landmark” [which was] the first step to it becoming a National Historic Landmark. This Historic Landmark was once an active transfer site for train cars being ferried from Locust Point. The Harbor was once very busy with these transports and thus this Historic Monument will represent the Industrialization of the Canton Lands between 1828 until the late 1980s.”
Check out this very cool video from BaltimoreHeritage.org’s “Five Minute Histories” Series, which also illuminates the importance of this landmark.
The Function of the Railroad Transfer Bridge
Current Day and Future Plans
As a key landmark and remembrance of the Industrial Revolution here in Canton, the Railroad Transfer Bridge was commemorated as a historic landmark on September 22, 2023, with remarks by Dr. Raymond Bahr, Councilmember Zeke Cohen, and MD Senate President Bill Ferguson. Passers-by and visitors to the Canton Waterfront can learn more about the Railroad Transfer Bridge’s storied past on the historic marker erected along the sidewalk. The next steps for the Railroad Transfer Bridge involve applying for a National Historic Landmark designation and adding an Interpretive Marker showing the Map of the Industrial Revolution in Canton to the Canton History Project series.
In the future, fundraising efforts may result in the ability to light the monument and make it an even brighter part of our community.
Article by guest writer Andrea Albertini. Andrea is a former teacher, avid reader, and birder. She lives in Canton with her husband, Eric, daughter Ceci, and cat Quimby. They enjoy all that Canton has to offer, especially Patterson Park, Dypski Playground, and Blairs on Hudson.
####