Avenue near Bushwood in St. Mary's County, Maryland — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Old Chapel Bell
On July 2, 1970 the Seventh District Volunteer Fire Department responded to a fire on Route 242 across from Kopels Marina. There were 20 firefighters who responded under the direction of Chief George McWilliams III. The location was the old chapel owned by John Choporis of Tacoma Park, MD. Lighting had struck the bell tower of the chapel. Due to the unsafe nature of the bell in the bell tower, Chief McWilliams directed the firefighters to remove the bell and it was brought to the firehouse for safe keeping. In July of 1970 Mr. John Choporis gave custody of the bell to the Seventh District Fire Department. The conditions were, the bell shall be maintained in good condition and protected from the elements.
In 1979 the bell was placed on the base where it is displayed today.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Charity & Public Work • Communications • Disasters. In addition, it is included in the Historic Bells series list. A significant historical date for this entry is July 2, 1970.
Location. 38° 15.793′ N, 76° 45.885′ W. Marker is near Bushwood, Maryland, in St. Mary's County. It is in Avenue. It is on Colton Point Road (Maryland Route 242) north of Abell Road, on the right when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 21660 Colton Point Rd, Avenue MD 20609, United States of America. Touch for directions.
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Regionally, this marker is in Southern Maryland. It is also in the American South, specifically in the Upper South, in the Mid-Atlantic, in the Tidewater, 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 3 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Ways to Explore Southern Maryland's Scenic and Historic Routes (approx. 2.7 miles away); Discover Southern Maryland's Amazing Stories of Exploration, Hope, and Courage (approx. 2.7 miles away); Stuffed Ham (approx. 2.7 miles away); St. Clement's Island Museum (approx. 2.7 miles away); Charlotte Hall School (approx. 2.8 miles away); Dory Boats (approx. 2.8 miles away); With Great Emotion of Soul (approx. 2.8 miles away); Journey to an Island (approx. 2.8 miles away).
Another marker is no longer nearby. Potomac River Dory Boat (was approx. 2.8 miles away but has been replaced with another marker now near it).
Credits. This page was last revised on June 22, 2023. It was originally submitted on August 26, 2022, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 224 times since then and 12 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on August 26, 2022, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.
