Discussion Topic:
How Wilmington became one of the most important train and transportation hubs in the country.
Millions of train commuters pass through Wilmington, Delaware every day, but many do not fully appreciate the significance of the station or the city. At the height of industrialization, Wilmington was a central hub for the largest private rail operators in the country, and a center for innovation in railroad engineering. The Pennsylvania Railroad, Baltimore & Ohio Railroad, and the Philadelphia Wilmington Baltimore Railroad provided the backbone for the most convenient public transportation in the world at the time.
Â
How did Wilmington become a transportation hub? What innovations came from Wilmington? What was it like to be a commuter in the 19th century Eastern US?Â
Â
We look forward to discussing these questions and listening to your input at our next get together!
Â
Jason is a train enthusiast, Wilmington resident, and a former commuter from Wilmington-Philadelphia on SEPTA. He operates miniature steam engines as a hobby, and is passionate about the history of trains and transportation in our region. Jason is an investment accountant at BlackRock, and a loyal member of WHS. His research focuses on transportation in and out of Wilmington, DE.
Nathan Field is a Wilmington native who returned to his hometown after a decade in the Middle East and DC. A history major at UD, and co-founder of the WHS, he hopes to generate renewed civic interest in Wilmington's future through promoting greater understanding of the key issues in the city's history.
Â
