Near Pasadena in Anne Arundel County, Maryland — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
The Tonkaway
Downs Park History Moment
During the period 1913 to 1937 this property was the summer estate of H. R. Mayo Thom. Mr. Thom was a wealthy Baltimorean who made many improvements to the property. This boat, the Tonkaway was once of his greatest pleasures Catherine (Thom) Parsons, daughter of Mr. Thom relates:
"Several times during the summer he would take us out for an extended cruise. We often explored rivers in Maryland and Virginia... When we were cruising for any length of time the chauffer became the cook and engineer....My father could not manage it himself...The Tonkaway had three cabins and three heads...We had a great deal of company in those days and a run down the bay and a picnic lunch on the Tonkaway was a regular event."
The Tonkaway was 60 feet long and run by a diesel engine. It was docked just to the west of here on Locust cove.
Look for other Downs Park History Moments as you travel about the park. A brochure is available to help you locate the sites.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Waterways & Vessels. A significant historical year for this entry is 1913.
Location. 39° 6.837′ N, 76° 25.985′ W. Marker is near Pasadena, Maryland, in Anne Arundel County. Marker can be reached from Chesapeake Bay Drive
this page online
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. A Lighthouse Crumbles (here, next to this marker); Kids on the Farm (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); Improvements on the Bayfront (approx. 0.2 miles away); The old entrance road (approx. ¼ mile away); Summer House on the Bay (approx. ¼ mile away); Mother's Garden (approx. ¼ mile away); The Rocky Beach Oyster Farm (approx. ¼ mile away); The Chesapeake Bay (approx. ¼ mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Pasadena.
Additional commentary.
1. Spelling from marker
The spelling of "chauffer" is taken verbatim from the marker.
— Submitted April 5, 2020, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.
Credits. This page was last revised on April 5, 2020. It was originally submitted on April 5, 2020, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 205 times since then and 13 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on April 5, 2020, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.
