First Cumberland eventually reached the B&O and other transportation modes that ran parallel to the canal, but the court ruled in favor of the canal in 1832. The town of Rocks Point, located just west of the “point,” awaited a court decision on how both the C&O Canal and the B&O Railroad would pass through. In 1832, the western terminus of the B&O Railroad was established at Rocks Point. The arrival of the canal and railroad in the mid-1800s led to rapid growth in the town. Initially, the town consisted of large plantations and farms, but it slowly grew as European settlers and traders followed. Rocks Point has been an important transportation crossroads for centuries, used by Native Americans and later by hunters and those seeking lodging near major river crossings. Rocks Point is located 14 miles south of Frederick.
The main source of industry in the town, which was largely not rebuilt, went away. The town’s main source of industry, which was largely not rebuilt, went away. It witnessed its largest and most destructive flood with 41 feet of water at Point of Rocks in 1936. Given the location below the confluence of the Shenandoah and Potomac Rivers, the town has a history of subsequent rebuilding and frequent flooding. The operations of the canal were terminated in 1924, leading to the decline of Point of Rocks. During the mid-1800s to the mid-1900s era, Point of Rocks was a vibrant town with ice cream shops, jewelry stores, general stores, mills, restaurants, and hotels.
Despite its close proximity to a major city, a small country town called Point of Rocks manages to maintain its charm. Located just off Route 15, it offers convenient access to the Washington DC metro area through the MARC train. The Point of Rocks Train Station, known for being one of the most captured stations in America, still stands, accompanied by a deli, convenience store, gas station, restaurant, library, church, and the original village area, which now serves as a county park and a parking lot for commuters. Presently, the original village area has been transformed into a county park and a parking lot exclusively for railroad commuters.
Download the pamphlet: C&O Canal Trail to History: Point of Rocks, Brunswick, Harpers Ferry.
Photo by: Bruce Saunders