in America . A replica stands at the corner of North Holliday and East Baltimore Streets where the original once was , just a few blocks from the museum .
FELL ’ S POINT
Unless you ’ re a maritime enthusiast , you might not know that Baltimore has long been a major player in the shipping industry . In fact , the very first clipper ships , known for their speed , were built in Fell ’ s Point . Learn all about Baltimore ’ s past as a shipbuilding city at the Frederick Douglass-Isaac Myers Maritime Park , which showcases African American contributions to the city ’ s maritime industries on the site of the nation ’ s first African American-owned shipyard .
While you ’ re here , spend some time strolling the original Belgian block streets where sailors once walked . Stop in for a drink at one of the country ’ s oldest continually operating bars , The Horse You Came in on Saloon , where Edgar Allan Poe is rumored to have spent his final hours before his death . You can also check out the oldest home in the city , the Robert Long House , built in 1765 .
PIGTOWN
In other transportation history moments , the nation ’ s first railroad was born in Baltimore in 1830 . In Pigtown — which was once home to butchers and meat packing plants — is the B & O Railroad Museum , where visitors can take a ride along the first mile and a half of track laid in America and see nearly 200 pieces of locomotives and rolling stock , plus thousands of smaller artifacts and a collection of model and toy trains . The museum also has a new permanent exhibit that opened this past fall called The Underground Railroad : Freedom . Seekers on the B & O Railroad It gives an intimate look at the lives and journeys of 27 individuals who sought freedom from slavery along the B & O . Just a block away is the Irish Railroad
B & O Railroad Museum
Workers Museum , dedicated to the workers who laid the historic railroad track .
But transport firsts aren ’ t the only claim for Pigtown : The Great Bambino — baseball legend Babe Ruth — was born in this neighborhood , just a few blocks from what ’ s now known as Oriole Park at Camden Yards . The rowhouse where this sports icon was born is now the Babe Ruth Birthplace and Museum . Visit to learn all about the famous slugger and see memorabilia from his career . VB
Frederick Douglass
STATION NORTH
This city is chock full of transportation innovation . In 1885 , Baltimore made history with the first commercial electric streetcar line . Learn the history of this public transport relic at the Baltimore Streetcar Museum in Station North , which offers a collection of authentic Baltimore railway vehicles dating to 1859 , plus artifacts , displays , tours , photographs , archive materials and more .
COURTESY OF THE B & O RAILROAD MUSEUM
WANT MORE ?
Check out Baltimore National Heritage Area at ExploreBaltimore . org for more historical information and guided walking tours .
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