In 1873, the Chesapeake and Ohio Railway (C&O) line led by Collis P. Huntington had connected Richmond with the Ohio River Valley at Huntington, West Virginia. In 1881, the Peninsula Extension of the C&O brought the line east to the new city of Newport News. Williamsburg initially allowed tracks to be placed down the main street of town, Duke of Gloucester Street, and even directly through the ruins of the historic capitol building. As regular service was established, the main line was soon relocated slightly north.