Aberdeen B&O Train Station Phase IV Restoration

Since its opening in 1886, the Aberdeen B&O Train Station has stood as a key piece of Harford County’s transportation and architectural heritage. Designed by noted 19th-century architect Frank Furness—renowned for his bold and innovative approach to industrial design—the station was a critical node in the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad’s growing regional network. It linked Aberdeen with major cities like Baltimore and Philadelphia, shaping the development of the town and its surrounding rural communities. At a time when railroads were lifelines for commerce and communication, the Aberdeen station helped anchor the town’s emergence as an agricultural and canning hub. The station was vital to local farmers and packers, enabling the shipment of produce and canned goods to markets across the country. Its presence directly supported Aberdeen’s economic rise in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, offering both freight and passenger service that kept the town connected to broader regional and national markets.

In 1917, Aberdeen's role expanded dramatically with the creation of the Aberdeen Proving Ground, when the federal government acquired a large portion of the nearby farmland. Once construction was completed that same year, the B&O station served as a vital artery for transporting military personnel, supplies, and civilian workers during both World Wars. It played a crucial role in the war effort during World War II, supporting the operations and technological advancements of the proving grounds, which became a center for military innovation.

During this period, Aberdeen was a regular stop for the B&O’s Royal Blue Line—one of the railroad’s premier passenger services—offering comfort and efficiency for both locals and long-distance travelers. However, like much of the American passenger rail industry, the station experienced a steady decline following World War II. The last Royal Blue Line train passed through Aberdeen on April 26, 1958, marking the end of B&O’s passenger service north of Baltimore. In the decades that followed, the building was used intermittently for freight operations and railroad maintenance before falling into disuse in the early 1990s. By 2003, the station had deteriorated to the point of being condemned by the City of Aberdeen, and was scheduled for demolition. A last-minute agreement between CSX, the current rail operator, and the Historical Society of Harford County ultimately saved the building. The Historical Society took ownership in 2005.

Due to the building’s proximity to active freight lines—so close that passing modern trains had damaged its wide eaves—preservation required a careful relocation. In 2015, the 2,585-square-foot station was moved roughly 50 feet from its original foundation. While this secured its future, the station remained in severe disrepair until 2021, when the nonprofit Friends of the Aberdeen B&O Train Station launched a $1.1 million restoration effort. Starting in mid-2023, this three-year effort prioritized historical authenticity and craftsmanship. The Restoration work included stabilizing the roof structure, restoring the south roof eave to its original form, installing the period appropriate slate roof and copper gutters, and rebuilding the station’s unique chimney, all in keeping with Frank Furness’s original design. Additional efforts included the installation of historically accurate beadboard ceilings, exterior trim, and new cedar shingle siding and brickwork to match original materials. A new deck, entry ramp, and stairs were built, lead paint was removed and repainted using historically appropriate finishes, and new doors and windows were restored or custom fabricated to reflect the building’s 19th-century appearance.

This extensive preservation effort not only rescued a key piece of Aberdeen’s built heritage but also preserved one of the last tangible connections to the town’s rural, agricultural, and industrial past. As the only surviving station of the former B&O Railroad, it stands today as a rare architectural and historical treasure—one that honors the generations of workers, farmers, and travelers who once passed through its doors.