Relay, Maryland

Relay is a historic railroad district in Maryland where granite buildings line the streets alongside train tracks. The structures and layout reflect the intersection of major transportation routes that once converged in Baltimore County.

The district originated in 1830 as a transfer station on the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad's first commercial line. This early railroad became one of America's pioneering rail routes and shaped the region's growth.

The Thomas Viaduct Hotel, built in 1872, served as a gathering spot where railroad travelers met and stayed during their journeys. The structure remains a visible reminder of when this place was a hub for people passing through by train.

A former fire station on Arlington Avenue now functions as a community center hosting local gatherings and private events. Visitors can walk through the district to see the historic buildings and track layout up close.

During the Civil War, Union forces stationed artillery batteries here to defend the Thomas Viaduct from Confederate sabotage attempts. This military protection shows how strategically vital this railroad junction was to the North.