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Aberdeen in Harford County, Maryland — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
 

Aberdeen Proving Ground

Four Miles

 
 
Aberdeen Proving Ground Marker image. Click for full size.
Photographed by William Pfingsten, June 24, 2007
1. Aberdeen Proving Ground Marker
Inscription. Military reservation of 55000 acres of land and water. The Ordnance Department, U. S. Army operates here; the Army Proving Ground for Arms, Ammunition and Automotive Equipment; the Ballistic Research Laboratory; the Ordnance School. Established 1917.
 
Erected by State Roads Commission.
 
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: EducationRoads & VehiclesScience & MedicineWar, World I. In addition, it is included in the Maryland Historical Trust series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1917.
 
Location. 39° 30.446′ N, 76° 9.883′ W. Marker is in Aberdeen, Maryland, in Harford County. It is on Pulaski Highway (U.S. 40) 0.2 miles south of Bel Air Avenue, in the median. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Aberdeen MD 21001, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Central Maryland. It is also in the American Mid-Atlantic and in the Chesapeake Bay Region. Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region, North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once one of the original Thirteen Colonies and also the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: “The General’s Highway” (approx. 0.2 miles away); Aberdeen 9/11 Memorial (approx. Ό mile away); Aberdeen Proving Ground Memorial (approx. Ό mile away); 2008 Restoration of P.B. & W. Railroad Crossing and Later Pennsylvania Railroad Watchman's Shed (approx. Ό mile away); Hall’s Cross Roads (approx. Ό mile away); Aberdeen Veterans Memorial
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(approx. 0.4 miles away); James B. Baker House (approx. half a mile away); ENIAC (approx. 0.6 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Aberdeen.
 
Regarding Aberdeen Proving Ground. The military museum is being relocated to Virginia as a result of Base Relocation and Closure.
 
Related markers. Click here for a list of markers that are related to this marker.
 
Also see . . .  Aberdeen Proving Ground History. (Submitted on June 24, 2007.)
 
German Leopold Railway Cannon used at Anzio Italy Invasion image. Click for full size.
Photographed by William Pfingsten, January 13, 2008
2. German Leopold Railway Cannon used at Anzio Italy Invasion
Cannon was hidden in mountain caves and rolled out to fire on Allied troops from January to May 1944 during Anzio Invasion.
M65 The Atomic Cannon image. Click for full size.
Photographed by William Pfingsten, January 13, 2008
3. M65 The Atomic Cannon
This is part of the outdoor display at the U.S. Ordinance Museum at Aberdeen Proving Ground. This is the largest outdoor display of domestic and foreign military hardware. Small arms are housed in the museum building.
Skeleton or Spider Tank - 1918 image. Click for full size.
Photographed by William Pfingsten, January 13, 2008
4. Skeleton or Spider Tank - 1918
German Medium Tank, Panzerkampfwagen Mark IV - 1941 image. Click for full size.
Photographed by William Pfingsten, January 13, 2008
5. German Medium Tank, Panzerkampfwagen Mark IV - 1941
Tanks of various nations. image. Click for full size.
Photographed by William Pfingsten, January 13, 2008
6. Tanks of various nations.
Missles and Cannons image. Click for full size.
Photographed by William Pfingsten, January 13, 2008
7. Missles and Cannons
Soviet Union SU100 Self-propelled Gun - 1944 image. Click for full size.
Photographed by William Pfingsten, January 13, 2008
8. Soviet Union SU100 Self-propelled Gun - 1944
U.S. Army's largest 16 inch gun used for coastal defense. image. Click for full size.
Photographed by William Pfingsten, January 13, 2008
9. U.S. Army's largest 16 inch gun used for coastal defense.
United States Pershing I image. Click for full size.
Photographed by William Pfingsten, January 13, 2008
10. United States Pershing I
Named in honor of General of the Armies of the United States, John J. (Black Jack) Pershing commander of the American Expeditionary Forces during World War I.

Operational in 1961 as part of the United States tactical missile arsenal, the Pershing system had a precise two stage nuclear 400KT, warhead with a range of 400 miles. Deactivated in May 1991, in accordance with The Intermediate Nuclear Forces Treaty between the United States and the Soviet Union, ended the Pershings' 30 years of service to the nation.
 
 
Credits. This page was last revised on March 11, 2021. It was originally submitted on June 24, 2007, by Bill Pfingsten of Bel Air, Maryland. This page has been viewed 5,965 times since then and 66 times this year. Last updated on March 9, 2021, by Carl Gordon Moore Jr. of North East, Maryland. Photos:   1. submitted on June 24, 2007, by Bill Pfingsten of Bel Air, Maryland.   2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10. submitted on January 13, 2008, by Bill Pfingsten of Bel Air, Maryland. • J. Makali Bruton was the editor who published this page.
 
Editor’s want-list for this marker. Photos of historic buildings on the base next time they hold an open house • Can you help?
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Jun. 26, 2026