Appletons' Companion Hand-Book of Travel; Containing a Full Description of ... the United States and the Canadas. - With Colored Maps (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1862 Excerpt: ...fortifications of Old Point Comfort and the Rip Raps, protecting the entrance to Hampton Roads and James River. See chapter on Virginia for Norfolk and the James River. BALTIMORE AND OHIO R. R. In extent, commercial importance, and pictorial attraction, this great route is one of the most important and interesting in America. It unites the city of Baltimore with the waters and valley of the Ohio, at Wheeling, 397 miles away, making one of the pleasantest and speediest of the great highways from the Atlantic to the Mississippi States. Its whele course is through a region of the highest picturesque variety and beauty, and it is itself a work of the highest artistic achievement in the continual and extraordinary display of skill which the singular difficulties of the way have called forth. It claims, too, especial consideration, and reflects the greatest henor upon the State of Maryland and its beautiful metropolis of Baltimore--as the first railway in America which was built by an incorporated company, and with the assistance of the public purse. The corner-stone of the road was laid at the very early period in the history of railways of July 4,1828, and on the 30th of August, 1830, the first section was opened by steam-power, 14 miles, from Baltimore to Ellicott's Mills. The trial of the first engine was made on the 25th of August of that year. On the 1st of June, 1853, the entire route, of nearly 400 miles, was completed, and on the loth of January, a formal opening of the road was made by a through excursion, with great public f6tes and rejoicings. The following picturesque description of the journey to the West by this noble highway, is from the pen of William Prescott Smith, Esq., of Baltimore. Its graphic interest will easily excuse its length. Leaving ...