Fulton History

Fulton's shipyards built over 900 steamboats in the 1800's, making it the loudest spot in the country. This industry spawned businesses as diverse as machine tooling and department stores. The high water port has primarily functioned since the 1890's as a rail and barge service for shipping metal and lumber materials for the regions's houses, offices, appliances and automobiles. Mark Twain and Currier and Ives heralded The Natchez which faced off against The Robert E. Lee in "The Great Race" of 1870. The largest skyscraper in the country in 2009 was staged here.

Barge & Rail Today!
  • George Steinbrenner's ABC Shipping brochure from 1974. Rumors that he sold the terminal to pay Reggie Jackson remain unconfirmed.

    George Steinbrenner's ABC Shipping brochure from 1974. Rumors that he sold the terminal to pay Reggie Jackson remain unconfirmed.

  • The CB&RT and Fulton Railroad site in 1848. Fulton's shipbuilding formed the backbone of Cincinnati's economy making it the West's first boomtown.

    The CB&RT and Fulton Railroad site in 1848. Fulton's shipbuilding formed the backbone of Cincinnati's economy making it the West's first boomtown.

1816 - 1860

1816 - 1860

Fulton's shipyards thrived across today's CBRT and Fulton Railroad property from John Litherbury (west) to The Marine Railway (east). Hundreds of steamboats were constructed in the environs creating thousands of jobs as Cincinnati's primary industry.
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1861 - 1900

1861 - 1900

Marine Railway ran the docks for 8 decades meeting Civil War needs for boat repair and producing many of the site's most famous ships. In the last quarter century, barges handling lumber predominated. Lumber stacked high, sawmills and wood chip silos carried the day around the turn of the 20th Century.
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1901 - 1985

1901 - 1985

Penn Station's rail yard fed the Oasis Line now operated by Fulton Railroad/SORTA. Cincinnati Sheet Metal constructed the main warehouse in 1907, and American Building Components added a crane in 1931 contributing to today's vital port services. Steinbrenner could not resist. Read More
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1986 - PRESENT

1986 - PRESENT

Today, CBRT and Fulton Railroad service cargo from 4 continents stimulating the regional economy and the auto, appliance and construction industries with unmatched logistics and service.
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