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Endangered Elkridge, Part III: Thomas Viaduct

In the third part of a series on local historic sites at risk, learn about the nation's first curved railroad bridge.

Each spring, Preservation Howard County publishes a list of historic or culturally significant properties that are threatened by development, deterioration or neglect.

The Howard County nonprofit started producing the list in 2001, one year after the organization was born. “We developed the top 10 list and a Preservationist of the Year award because we needed to advocate for historic buildings, structures and cemeteries,” said Fred Dorsey, president of Preservation Howard County.

On this year's list of 10 properties, 3 are in Elkridge: , and .

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Thomas Viaduct

Built in 1835 and boasting eight arches, Thomas Viaduct is the world’s largest stone railroad bridge, according to the Maryland Historic Trust.

The viaduct was guarded by union troops during the Civil War to keep supplies flowing and is still used by freight trains today.

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Thomas Viaduct also serves as the eastern gateway to the Patapsco Valley and a by the same name that stretches 35 miles from Woodbine to Elkridge.

“We added the viaduct [to the top 10 list] because although it is structurally sound, it is in need of some aesthetic improvements,” said Dorsey.

“Being on the list raises the visibility and public awareness of this historic structure sitting right here in our backyard," said John Slater, a landscape architect who lives in Columbia. "It is a unique part of our community and most people don’t even know it’s here."

As vice president of Friends of the Patapsco Valley and Heritage Greenway—a nonprofit dedicated to preserving cultural and environmental heritage—Slater has spearheaded restoration and revitalization efforts.

"We are raising money to help design and build a first-class viewing area for visitors to witness this magnificent railroad bridge in action,” said Slater. “In the end, it will help to raise the quality of life for our community. That is what this is all about.”

Getting off the list

The "top 10 endangered" list has had mixed results in its 11-year history.

“There are many sites that remain on the endangered list for many years,” admitted Dorsey. Although he believes  may never be weaned from the list, he points out that other properties have been. 

Claremont, an estate overlooking Thomas Viaduct, “came off the list a couple of years ago after being on it for a few years,” said Dorsey. Claremont was the site of the only Civil War battery in Howard County. Union soldiers encamped there to protect the viaduct.

“Once we met with the owner, we were comfortable with his plans for preserving the house and not allowing development to encroach upon it,” said Dorsey.

“One great example is the Clarksville Victorian house that used to sit at Route 108 and Ten Oaks Road. It had been a dentist office at one time, but it was in pretty sorry shape when Denise and Glen Bowman stepped up, bought it and moved it to the Twelve Hills community,” said Dorsey.

“The Assembly Room on Lawyers Hill [in Elkridge] was on the list for a year or two, and we were able to help with fundraising that contributed to the ongoing maintenance of the building,” said Dorsey.

Daisy Schoolhouse, a charming one-room structure that stood for many years in Daisy, MD, was threatened by development when a local preservationist, Bruno Weich, agreed to disassemble and mark all the pieces of the building. It is currently being stored in his basement until a new home for it can be found.

“At least it’s been saved. The Howard County Living Farm Heritage Museum, located across the road from the fairgrounds, would like to put it on its property,” said Dorsey.

Dorsey credits numerous groups, including Recreation & Parks, with significant contributions that have preserved cultural and historic sites. At the same time, he laments what he sees as a pervasive indifference among many Howard County residents.

He said: “I don’t think Howard County compares well to other jurisdictions when it comes to sustaining these properties.”

This article has been corrected to reflect that John Slater is a Columbia resident. An earlier version stated that he was from Elkridge.

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