About
B&O Railroad Station (Mountain Lake Park) is a historical marker at 2 West 1st Avenue in Loch Lynn Heights, on the edge of Mountain Lake Park. It tells the story of Mountain Lake Park's Baltimore & Ohio depot, the stop that brought summer crowds to the Victorian resort. If you're exploring the town's Chautauqua history, this is where that history began for most visitors: getting off the train.
The Station That Built a Resort
According to the marker, the station was vital to Mountain Lake Park's growth. Summer residents and visitors came in by rail, often around Memorial Day, and were taken on to cottages, boarding houses or the hotel. Many stayed the whole season for the town's Chautauqua programs. The marker describes the original building as a long, low Queen Anne–style depot with a tower, an overhanging roof and stained-glass windows. It was probably built around 1884, possibly a little earlier. Abram R. Sperry was the first station agent, serving from 1882 until his transfer in 1911.
What You'll See Today
The marker notes that the building has since been altered and used as a warehouse and for retail. The same address, 2 West 1st Avenue, is used today by Christian Crossing Thrift Shop. HMDB does not record who erected the marker or when; the entry was added in 2023.
The marker stands on 2 West 1st Avenue, just west of Paull Street (MD 560). Several other markers are within walking distance, according to HMDB, including Remembering Sept. 10, 1959, which is very close by, The Boardwalk and Hotel Paradise (about a quarter mile), and Victorian Chautauqua (about half a mile). They make an easy self-guided loop through the old resort grounds.
Pair a stop here with a stroll past Mountain Lake Park's Victorian cottages to see what those early rail passengers came for.
Address
2 W 1st Ave, Loch Lynn Heights, MD 21550