"A Very Neat Chapel"

The little white chapel that stood here was built by soldiers of the garrison and held 150 people. Different ministers came from Richmond each week to preach. A small burial ground was located just 50 yards beyond the chapel—a reminder ...

The Second Battle of Fredericksburg

Five months after the Battle of Fredericksburg the Union army finally captured Marye's Heights. On May 5, 1863, General John Sedgwick's Sixth Corps streamed out of Fredericksburg to attack this ridge. Twice Confederates on the Sunken Road repulsed the assaults, ...

Baca Float Number 3

This was the northern boundary of Baca Float Number 3, one of five 100,000-acre grants made to the Baca family, in exchange for land taken from them in New Mexico. An attempt was made to relocate this grant to include ...

Field of Battle

This photograph, taken from the heights to your right-rear, shows the landscape in front of you as it appeared the year after the Battle of Fredericksburg. The town of Fredericksburg sits atop the ridge in the distance; the spire of ...

The Baltimore County Water and Electric Company

The basin in front of you and the house beside you are remnants of the Baltimore County Water and Electric Company that operated here from 1910 to 1922. the company, founded by Victor G. Bloede, supplied pressurized water to parts ...

Drinking Water for the Public

Demands for cleaner drinking water in Baltimore City and County compelled Catonsville banker and philanthropist Victor G. Bloede to organize and Baltimore County Water & Electric Company in 1909.

In 1910, Bloede's company purchased the abandoned Avalon Iron & Nail ...

Powering the Patapso Valley's Industries

This inconspicuous ditch is a remnant of the Avalon millrace. Originally dug in the 1700s, it supplied water from the Patapsco River to Dorsey's Forge. The millrace later served the Avalon Iron & Nail Works and the Baltimore County Water ...

The Embattled Ridge

Aug 6, 1864. The ridge just S. (densely wooded at the time) was fortified & held by Gen. W. B. Bate's div., Hardee's A.C. (CSA). It extended west from the Atlanta to East Point works, & blocked further Federal moves ...

Patapsco Valley

"Along this section of the valley, where once the vibrant hum of a thriving industry could be heard... now the silence of the tomb prevails. The gods of progress direct its movements in mysterious ways." - L.S. LeRendu, W.J. Dickey ...

Old Waterworks

As early as 1754, water was pumped from a spring to a water tower, that stood east of here, through hollowed trunks of trees. It then flowed by gravity to five cisterns or reservoirs. Original engine house stands about 60 ...