Last updated: July 3, 2025
Place
Ridgely Memorial Railroad Park
Town of Ridgely
Quick Facts
Location:
1 W. Railroad Avenue Ridgely, MD 21660
Significance:
Ridgely Memorial Railroad Park conserves Chesapeake Bay watershed transportation history, showcasing Ridgely’s 19th-century rail heritage through restored structures, interpretive trails, and year-round community events.
Designation:
Chesapeake Gateways Network Site
MANAGED BY:
Amenities
5 listed
Cellular Signal, Historical/Interpretive Information/Exhibits, Parking - Auto, Pets Allowed, Wheelchair Accessible
Ridgely Memorial Railroad Park preserves and interprets the vital transportation history that helped shape the Chesapeake Bay region’s communities. As a Chesapeake Gateways Network Site, this 3.89-acre heritage park invites visitors to explore Ridgely’s 19th-century railroad legacy through restored historic structures, artifacts, and interpretive trails.
The restored Ridgely railroad depot and authentic 19th-century railcar provide tangible connections to the town’s role as a critical hub for goods and travelers in the late 1800s. Visitors can walk the Rails to Trails path that winds through the park, featuring interpretive displays that tell the story of how the railroad transformed Ridgely’s economy, culture, and landscape.
Beyond its historical attractions, Ridgely Memorial Railroad Park offers opportunities for recreation, cultural celebration, and community gathering. Annual events like the award-winning Christmas in Ridgely Winter Festival and the Santa Chase 5K light up the park, which boasts the largest holiday light display in Caroline County.
By conserving these historic structures and offering educational and recreational programming, Ridgely Memorial Railroad Park connects visitors of all ages to the Chesapeake Bay watershed’s rich and evolving heritage. Learn more about the park’s history and events by visiting the Ridgely Historical Society website.
The restored Ridgely railroad depot and authentic 19th-century railcar provide tangible connections to the town’s role as a critical hub for goods and travelers in the late 1800s. Visitors can walk the Rails to Trails path that winds through the park, featuring interpretive displays that tell the story of how the railroad transformed Ridgely’s economy, culture, and landscape.
Beyond its historical attractions, Ridgely Memorial Railroad Park offers opportunities for recreation, cultural celebration, and community gathering. Annual events like the award-winning Christmas in Ridgely Winter Festival and the Santa Chase 5K light up the park, which boasts the largest holiday light display in Caroline County.
By conserving these historic structures and offering educational and recreational programming, Ridgely Memorial Railroad Park connects visitors of all ages to the Chesapeake Bay watershed’s rich and evolving heritage. Learn more about the park’s history and events by visiting the Ridgely Historical Society website.