National Historic Landmark-William Aiken House and Associated Railroad Structures

These structures are associated with William Aiken, Sr. (1779-1831), who in 1827 founded the South Carolina Canal and Railroad Company. Aiken's Charleston-to-Hamburg railroad was the first to use steam from the beginning of its operations; the first to use an American-made locomotive; and the first to carry the U.S. mail. When the 136-mile railroad, linking Charleston with Hamburg, South Carolina, was completed in 1833, it was the longest operating railroad in the world and the first to offer regular steam locomotive passenger service in the United States.

Courtesy National Park Service National Historic Landmarks

Image Courtesy Library of Congress Historic American Building Survey