Near Avalon in Baltimore County, Maryland — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
A Mighty Purpose
The peaceful pond before you once had fruitful purpose besides beauty and recreation. Imagine the pond filling with water from the river that was diverted by a dam, while simultaneously the pond drained into a millrace.
This millpond and millrace channeled water to Dorsey's Iron Forge, and later served the Avalon Iron & Nail Works and the Baltimore County Water & Electric Company. The pond became a reservoir that supplied drinking water to city residents.
Entrepreneurs harnessed the forceful Patapsco River here and in many other spots to power industries from the mid-18th to the early 20th centuries. Waterpower made the Patapsco Valley's industrial development possible.
Look across the river for remnants of the Avalon Dam. It appears to be a crumbling stone wall. Then follow the footpath downriver from the pond and trace the millrace to Avalon where you can discover how these industries used the water and its power.
Erected by Maryland Department of Natural Resources.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce
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Location. 39° 13.815′ N, 76° 43.725′ W. Marker is near Avalon, Maryland, in Baltimore County. Marker can be reached from Glen Artney Road, 0.4 miles west of Gun Road, on the left when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Halethorpe MD 21227, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. The C.C.C. Builds Our Park (approx. 0.3 miles away); Elkridge Landing (approx. 0.4 miles away); A Place For Progress (approx. 0.4 miles away); Iron Builds America (approx. 0.4 miles away); Powering the Patapsco Valley's Industries (approx. 0.4 miles away); Forging Freedom and Nails (approx. half a mile away); Drinking Water for the Public (approx. half a mile away); The Baltimore County Water and Electric Company (approx. half a mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Avalon.
Credits. This page was last revised on September 27, 2020. It was originally submitted on May 27, 2020, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 160 times since then and 27 times this year. Photo 1. submitted on May 27, 2020, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.
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