[1] B&O Railroad

B&O Railroad
Originally, there were three tracks running past the Aberdeen B&O Station. Around the early 1960s, the two of the tracks were scrapped, leaving just a single line. This reflected the declining popularity of freight trains and the rise of commercial transportation via trucks and planes.

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B&O Train Station
The B&O Train Station
The B&O (Baltimore and Ohio) Train Station was designed by renowned architect Frank Furness in 1885. The station played an important role in Aberdeen's growth and economy, connecting Aberdeen to major cities such as Baltimore, Philadelphia, and New York. The B&O station facilitated both freight and passenger travel, fueling the city's expansion and serving as a vital hub for the emerging canning industry during the late 1800s. Today, the Aberdeen Station stands as one of only two surviving stations designed by Mr. Furness, a reminder of Aberdeen’s rich history.

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The B&O railway

Baker Canning Warehouse
This building was formerly a canning warehouse, originally owned by the Baker family. Built in 1908, it stored canned goods awaiting distribution. A spur line from the B&O train yard crossed Bel Air Avenue and ran along the right-hand side of the warehouse, where boxes of canned goods were loaded onto the train for shipment.

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B&O Train Station
George W. Baker House
This lot was bought in 1744 by Nicholas Baker the second, the grandfather of George W. Baker. The house that once stood on this lot was built in 1801 and was inherited by George W. Baker, a canning pioneer. Unfortunately the historic house was torn down sometime after June 2018.
Baker Tenant Home and Store
This house once served dual purposes for the Baker family. We believe the front of the house functioned as a store, while the back served as a residence for tenant farmers, due to its elongated structure and the presence of two side doors.
Baker Canning Warehouse
Baker Cannery
B&O Train Station
Baker Cannery
This marble furniture store was formerly a cannery owned by the Baker family. Built in 1908, its proximity to the train tracks allowed for rapid and efficient shipping of cans before the widespread use of automobiles. The original chimney in the building still stands. 

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Baker Canning Warehouse
Baker store & tenant home
Bakerfield Elementary
Bakerfield Elementary School, located on Baker Street in Aberdeen, was built on a former farm field belonging to the C. W. Baker family, one of Aberdeen’s most prominent canners of sugar corn.
Baker Tenant Homes
This row of 2 story homes were originally tenant homes for the workers in the Baker fields and canning warehouse.
C. Curtis Morgan
C. Curtis Morgan built this house in 1951 as his family homestead. Mr. Morgan, born in 1907, was a prominent businessman and civic leader in Aberdeen, most notable for creating C. Curtis Morgan Co. which is now known as Ferrell fuel. His company began selling coal and later added fuel oil.
The Hummingbird
Dubbed "The Hummingbird," James Bramwell Baker's Queen Anne-style mansion, built in 1896, highlights his successes as a canner. Many of the distinct blue shingles on the house were repurposed from shipping crates used for canning. If you were to turn one over, it may read “Baker Canning” imprinted on the back.
The Dakota
Nicknamed “The Dakota”, William Baker built this house in 1906, mirroring his brother’s  Queen Anne-styled mansion. The house features wood sourced from Tsarist Russia. Today, the mansion serves as an assisted living center.
Beulah Baker Adam's House
Beulah Baker Adam's House
Members of the Adam’s family have called this house “home” since it’s early construction in the early 1920s.
John Hanson's House
John Baker's House
This house, built around 1894, was owned by John Hanson Baker, a canner and Methodist minister. Unlike his brothers' grand mansions, John's home is much more modest, reflecting the nature of his profession. When John stopped canning, his father, George W. Baker, wrote him out of the will. However, upon resuming his canning work, John was reinstated. This indicates that John's commitment to his faith likely limited his earnings compared to his brothers.
Beulah Baker Adam's House

John Finney Wells' House
Carriage House
John Finney Well's House
This house was built in 1910 and owned by John Finney Wells, who lived here until 1936. The garage of the house was once used as a stable for horses. In 1936, the house was bought by Lumsden Dick, the foster parent of C. Curtis Morgan, whose house is also included in the tour.
Carriage House
This house was originally a carriage house for storing wagons and carriages. It was repurposed during World War II to accommodate the influx of soldiers in need of temporary housing. To address the increased demand, it was divided into two apartments rented to soldiers’ families, providing them shelter and comfort amidst the chaos of war. 
John Finney's House
Dr. Plunkett's House

Dr. Plunkett's house was both his residence and medical office. He lived upstairs, where he enjoyed the comforts of home, and conducted his medical practice downstairs, providing easy access for his patients. As the sole doctor in Aberdeen, Dr. Plunkett was a dedicated general practitioner, handling a wide variety of medical issues and caring for the health needs of his community.

Standpipe
This water tower stands on the same site as the original 1897 standpipe and pumping station, which was Aberdeen’s only localized source of clean water at that time. (because it passed through many rocks in the ground Citizens once said that the water was so pure it passed every inspection without needing any chemicals. The area surrounding the water tower was once a farm owned by the Krouse family.
Charles W. Baker House
This house was built in 1885 by Charles Winfield Baker.  Charles not only built this house but also established the Baker Canning Factory and Warehouse, both of which are included in the tour. According to the current owner, the house is said to be haunted, with four reported ghost occurrences.
P. Tevis Baker House
Built in 1907, this house was owned by P. Tevis Baker, the eldest son of Charles W. Baker.
Orion C. Michael House
This home was built by Orion Clay Michael in 1894 and was named "Oak Grove". Mr Michael owned the first coal dealership in the area, it was located along what is now the Pennsylvania/ Amtrak railroad south of the station. Orion married Martha S. Richardson, “Mattie”, a school teacher. The Michaels had no children. Mrs Michael died in 1937. Mr Michael died in 1944 having been an invalid for his final four years.
Richard Morton House
This house, built in 1920, was once owned by the renowned local artist Richard Morton. Born in 1921, Morton served in Europe during World War II. After the war, he worked as a civilian graphic artist at Aberdeen Proving Ground in 1980. Morton painted many historic homes in Aberdeen, including his own.
First Telephone Exchange in Aberdeen
Built in 1864, this house was not only housed a family, but was home to the  first telephone exchange in Aberdeen until 1909. The telephone exchange most likedly operated in one room, with the rest of the house being used for living purposes.

Welcome!



Welcome to the historic residential district of West Bel Air Avenue! This virtual tour was begun by a volunteer at the Aberdeen Historical Museum. It features information and pictures of various houses and other structures in the Historic District of West Bel Air Avenue. The tour aims to inform you about the history of these buildings and the people who lived and worked in them.


Please note that the tour is still a work in progress, and more buildings and details will be added over time.

The information provided in this tour is just a small percentage of the history of West Bel Air Avenue and greater Aberdeen. If you would like to contribute to the tour by providing feedback, reporting bugs or glitches, or sharing additional knowledge about these places on West Bel Air Avenue, please fill out this form.

To learn more about Aberdeen, please visit our website.


We hope you enjoy the tour!