Near Snow Hill in Worcester County, Maryland — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)

The Mill Race

By Devry Becker Jones (CC0), October 19, 2025

1. The Mill Race Marker

Inscription. Straight ahead to the north was the mill race. Lined with wooden planks, it was 20 feet wide and 8 - 10 feet deep. Water flowed into it from a 300 acre pond through a gate of the dam (the present Old Furnace Road). The race provided water for the waterwheel at the furnace. A footbridge over the mill race, perhaps where you are standing, allowed workers to go to and from the furnace area.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Bridges & Viaducts • Industry & Commerce • Waterways & Vessels.

Location. 38° 12.266′ N, 75° 28.164′ W. Marker is near Snow Hill, Maryland, in Worcester County. It can be reached from the intersection of Millville Road and Old Furnace Road, on the left when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 5914 Millville Rd, Snow Hill MD 21863, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is on the Eastern Shore.

It is also in the American Mid-Atlantic,

on the Delmarva Peninsula,

and in the Tidewater.

Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region,

North America,

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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: Nassawango Iron Furnace (a few steps from this marker); a different marker also named Mill Race and Overview (a few steps from this marker); Charging the Furnace (within shouting distance of this marker); Water Wheel (within shouting distance of this marker); Canal (within shouting distance of this marker); St. Mary's Parish Building/R. Frank Jones Museum (within shouting distance of this marker); Banks Broom House (within shouting distance of this marker); American chestnut (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Snow Hill.

Other markers no longer nearby. Mill Race and Overview (was a few steps from this marker but has been replaced with another marker now near it); Hot Blast (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been permanently removed); a different marker also named Charging the Furnace (was

Photographed by Devry Becker Jones (CC0), October 19, 2025

2. The Mill Race Marker

within shouting distance of this marker but has been replaced with another marker now near it).

Nearby signage image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Devry Becker Jones (CC0), October 19, 2025

3. Nearby signage

Tail Race and Canal As water from the gate in the dam moved along the mill race, it neared the waterwheel at the furnace. The Wheel was about 22 feet in diameter and the weight of the water in its buckets caused it to turn. As the water left the wheel, it flowed into the tail race and then into the canal. Both were about 8-10 feet deep and about 20 feet wide and lined with wooden planks. The canal is about a mile long. Small barges, pulled by mules, took ingots of pig iron to schooners waiting in Nassawango Creek. On the return trip, the barges were laden with clam and oyster shells brought by schooner from the Chesapeake Bay via the Pocomoke River.

Credits. This page was last revised on October 19, 2025. It was originally submitted on October 19, 2025, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 44 times since then and 15 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on October 19, 2025, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.