1826: The Bay State’s Granite Railway Begins Operations

October 7, 1826

The first train of the Massachusetts-based Granite Railway went into service. The Granite Railway was among the first railroads in the United States. 

This enterprise was established to carry granite from the city of Quincy to a dock on the Neponset River in the town of Milton, where that stone was transported by boats to Charlestown for the construction of the Bunker Hill Monument. 

The Granite Railway was designed and built by engineer Gridley Bryant. While basing the Granite Railway on railroads already in place in England, Bryant also included modifications to allow for heavier, more concentrated shipments.

Photo Credit: Public Domain

For more information on the Granite Railway, please check out https://www.inventionandtech.com/content/granite-railway