The year 2025 marks the 200th anniversary of Colonel John Stevens building and testing the first steam locomotive in America, right here in Hoboken, giving himself the name of the father of American railroads. In 1825, at a time when many feared the unfamiliar power of steam, he built a circular test track on what is now Palmer Lawn and showcased his invention. His demonstration brought people together and brought excitement to the idea of railroads, where Stevens’ sons, Robert and Edwin, established the Camden & Amboy Railroad Co., the first passenger railroad in New Jersey. This innovation, along with other inventions, shaped the United States, all from the Institute that we attend today. In honor of this 200th anniversary, let’s reflect on how far we’ve come, the significance of the inventions made on the grounds we study on, the people who have come here before us, and how cool it is to be attending this university.
While best known for the locomotive, Colonel John Stevens was also a pioneer in marine engineering. He built the first steam-powered boat, the Little Julianna, which he tested in the New York City Harbor, moving at an estimated four miles per hour. Leah Loscutoff, Head of Archives and Special Collections Librarian, mentioned that people believed it was magic that the boat was able to move without sails. Stevens was also an advocate for steam engines, and urged Congress to pass an act that would allow him to build steam-powered ships for naval defense. His advocacy, inventions, and persistence solidified him in history as an innovator ahead of his time.
The Stevens family carried forward his vision. His sons, Robert and Edwin, advanced American railroads, and it was Edwin’s will that left land and funds for what would become Stevens Institute of Technology. His wife, Martha Bayard Stevens, strengthened that legacy by serving on the Board of Trustees and ensuring the school’s commitment to engineering and innovation. The institute’s first class took place in 1871, and it was the first university to offer a degree in mechanical engineering in the United States. The earliest classes and labs were held in a building that we all can recognize today — Edwin A. Stevens Hall.
This history is preserved within the Samuel C. Williams Library, where students can visit the Mary Stuart Stevens Room. This exhibit showcases original documents, replicas of Steven’s Inventions, like the Little Julianna, and many other inventions, like one of the first Macintosh computers (it’s actually really cool). There is also a life-size replica of the Steam Locomotive, which can be found in the library’s main rooms on the first floor.
Stevens has continued to embody this legacy. Founded “by engineers, for engineers,” the university has produced generations of thinkers and innovators who have carried forward the same spirit of curiosity and invention. Today, Stevens is recognized nationally for its strong return on investment, consistently ranking in the Princeton Review for career outcomes and innovation.
There is a lot of pride in this school, and this anniversary serves as a good time to embrace learning about this place more deeply. The library holds so much history, as it offers access to historic documents, photographs, yearbooks, and even old Stute articles. All these resources are free to members of the Stevens community, and by taking the time to explore these resources, we serve as a reminder that we are part of an ongoing story of innovation. Let us take pride in this anniversary, be curious, explore the exhibit in the library, ask questions, and remember that this history of progress and invention is not merely history, but something that continues to unfold every day, and we are now a part of it.
