Honoring the Railroad History of Brunswick
Partners: City of Brunswick, Smart Growth Maryland
THE PROBLEM
The WB Tower, built around 1910, controlled the train traffic for the railroad and is currently still situated along the tracks. It’s location nearby the active tracks makes safe access and interpretation a challenge.
THE FIX
The City plans to move the iconic tower to the heart of Railroad Square, a gathering site near a historic B&O caboose and historic Brunswick Train Station. Preservation Maryland will work with the City to help coordinate the Tower’s relocation and to raise awareness of Brunswick’s railroad history.
Updates
SEPTEMBER 2020
How does a conservation district differ from a historic district – and it is right for your town? The City of Brunswick, Maryland, a town in rural Frederick County, is undertaking an initiative to create protections for their historic communities in the form of a conservation district. This recorded webinar conversation recorded by Preservation Maryland and Smart Growth Maryland on September 22, 2020 walks through what a conservation district is, how it works to protect historic communities, the process Brunswick went through, and the lessons learned.
SEPTEMBER 2020
A native of Brunswick, Maryland in Frederick County, James Castle is a model citizen, dedicated volunteers, skilled historian, and stalwart preservationist…sometimes known as Brakeman Jim, while giving free tours to heritage tourists or local senior citizens. In 2015, James Castle became President of the Brunswick Potomac Foundation almost 20 years from the day he first started to volunteer for the organization. He has held the position ever since. In his tenure, Castle has led a note-worthy fundraising effort, supported the creation of a protective conservation district and the relocation of the historic WB Railroad Tower, and reinvigorated the organization’s online presence during Covid-19. Preservation Maryland is pleased to recognize Jim Castle with this year’s Preservation Maryland Best of Maryland Harrison Volunteer Award.
JUNE
Gov. Hogan recently announced $600,000 in grants for capital historic preservation projects across the state, including a grant to relocate the historic B&O WB Tower in Brunswick, Maryland – also a Preservation Maryland Six-to-Fix project and recipient of a Heritage Fund grant from Preservation Maryland and the Maryland Historical Trust.
RESOURCES
City of Brunswick Master Plan
City of Brunswick
Exploring Brunswick Through the Eyes of Lifetime Residents & Champions, Norm and Karen Cornelius
Preservation Maryland
Annual Brunswick Railroad Days
City of Brunswick
A Brief History of Brunswick
Greater Brunswick Area Chamber of Commerce
1978
Brunswick Historic District
Maryland Historical Trust
National Register Historic District
Brunswick Railway Station
Maryland Historical Trust Easement
1994
Brunswick Turntable
Maryland Historical Trust
National Register Eligibility Form
NEWS
07/03/2019
Brunswick Main Street receives $50,000 for empty storefronts
The Frederick News-Post
07/07/2019
Brewery seeks grant to move forward with event space in Brunswick
The Frederick News-Post
02/25/2019
Smart Growth Maryland Director Appointed to City of Brunswick’s Preservation and Revitalization Committee
Preservation Maryland
11/30/2018
Revitalizing Brunswick: Smart Growth Maryland Assists with New Vision
Preservation Maryland
07/20/2018
Local Advocacy Update: Brunswick Candidates Support Preservation
Preservation Maryland
03/29/2018
Brunswick introduces master plan to improve and revitalize downtown
The Frederick News-Post
11/13/2017
Preservation Maryland to Lead Panel Discussion in Historic Brunswick
Preservation Maryland
Can we count on you?
Preservation Maryland isn’t just preserving the past – we’re investing in our future. In just the past year we’ve invested heavily in our work and refused to accept the mounting challenges as a reason to retreat or hold our position. You are making it all possible.