Baltimore’s greatest asset was its geographic location. It was further west than any of the east coast ports at a time when the population was moving inland. The town was ideally located to serve as the commercial link between the Atlantic Trade and the Agricultural Produce of the Interior. The completion of the Erie Canal in the 1820’s undercut Baltimore’s status. In a daring attempt to recover its primacy, the city invested heavily in the B&O Railroad. The enormous debt incurred in financing the development of this untried technology inhibited the development of public services and institutions until the end of the 19th century and beyond.