Camden Station – Baltimore City, Maryland

Camden Station – Baltimore Maryland
Baltimore & Ohio Railroad

Camden Station has been through a lot over the years, but the good news is it’s still standing.
This is one of those old stations you are just happy survived, and it’s by a miracle that it has.

1920- A man who was wanted for the murder of a Railroad Policeman in Harford County was brought through the Depot.

1920 – Lots happened at Camden Station in 1920, but this story stood out as 4 girls, the youngest only 5 years old, boarded a train to New York City so they could become famous, without the company or permission of their parents. According to the article, the railroad made sure they were sent right back to Baltimore.
In 1920, a man running for a train to Washington DC has a heart attack and dies at the station.
The station was also affected by a railroad strike in 1920.
1925 – a pick pocket at the station gets $400 from a victim.
1929 – Dan Smith who was well known at Camden Station as a newspaper vendor passes away.

1931 , a man was arrested coming off a train after being charged with stealing money from work.
1934 – the painting “Whistler’s Mother” was transported through the station on the way to Ohio.
1935 – A jewel Thief known as “Cat Eye Lil” was brought through the station on her way to Court.
In 1937, an article was written about a small under ground platform under the street at Howard Street and Liberty Street. There was a station planned here but it was never built and I’m not quite sure why.
In 1940 – an article addressed how Camden Station took place of the smaller Mt Clare Station over the years.
1945 – A young employee was playing softball on the roof of Camden Station, when he fell through a sunroof while retrieving a ball. He was not injured badly.
1945 also saw large crowds of people during the Christmas rush time.

In 1964, several old passenger cars were stored near Camden Station, being offered for sale for collectors. They were called ” Pullman City”. The ” Pullman City ” was an idea started by the B&O railroad for people who owned Pullman Cars to stay in a City without having to get a Hotel room. Camden Station of the location for “Pullman City”, but after the railroads saw less activity, they were more the final resting spots of old railroad cars.
In 1965, an excursion train left Camden Yards, for a trip to Cumberland Maryland. Stops along the way were scheduled in Glyndon, Westminster, Union Bridge & Thurmont.
1969 – A electric typewriter was stolen from the station. Police, using photographs, were about the solve the crime.

In the early 1970’s, Camden Station was in the way of plans for a sport complex idea that would require the demolishing of the old station. Plans were for one or two stadiums to be built on the site, and would not only houses the Orioles and Colts, but have a roof and have the Baltimore Bullets and Baltimore Clippers play there.
By 1973, articles were written of the end of the old station. However, planners worked the old station into the sports design idea and the station still stands to this day.
In the 1970’s, Camden Station was written up every Winter as the Christmas trees shipped down from Canada arrived.
In 1975, much of the ornamental trim on the front of the building was taken down, as fears of material falling on it’s own were realized.
In 1976 – “Pete Lightning” the unofficial greeter of the station was written about. “Pete” was an older dog that used the station as a home for about 6 months. I’m not sure what became of Pete Lightning.