Piney Point in St. Mary's County, Maryland — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)

Potomac River Military Testing

Photographed by Tom Fuchs, July 1, 2008

1. Potomac River Military Testing Marker

Inscription. Almost from the beginning of the new nation, the United States established military facilities along the Potomac River - to test guns and munitions before placing them into service, to train troops and to defend the Nation's Capital.

Piney Point became the testing range for torpedoes manufactured in Alexandria, Virginia, during World War II. The Naval Torpedo Test Center and Range was commissioned following the war and the base is now the Paul Hall Center for Maritime Training and Education, located a mile from the lighthouse.

Caption of photo on top left side of marker
A torpedo barge firing offshore from Piney Point, Maryland.

Caption of photo on bottom left side of marker
Torpedo being fitted for a single mount tube at the Naval Torpedo Station in Alexandria, Virginia

Caption of photo on right side of marker
1920's aerial view of the Naval Torpedo Station in Alexandria, Virginia.

Erected by Maryland Department of Natural Resources.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Military • War, World II • Waterways & Vessels.

Location. 38° 8.154′ N, 76° 31.748′ W. Marker is in Piney Point, Maryland, in St. Mary's County

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. It is on Lighthouse Road. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Piney Point MD 20674, United States of America. Touch for directions.

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 walking distance of this marker: Bay Lights (here, next to this marker); Osprey (here, next to this marker); Map of Lower Potomac River and Chesapeake Bay (here, next to this marker); a different marker also named Piney Point Lighthouse (here, next to this marker); a different marker also named Piney Point Lighthouse (here, next to this marker); a different marker also named Piney Point Lighthouse (here, next to this marker); a different marker also named The Lighthouse Keeper's Quarters (here, next to this marker); Lighthouses of the Chesapeake (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Piney Point.

Other markers no longer nearby. The Lighthouse Keeper's Quarters (was here, next to this marker but has been replaced with another marker now near it); Natural Highways (was here, next to this marker but has been permanently removed); Piney Point Lighthouse (was here, next to this marker but has been reported to have been replaced with another marker now near it); a different marker also named Piney Point Lighthouse (was here, next to this marker but has been replaced with another marker now near it).

Marker and Torpedo image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Tom Fuchs, July 1, 2008

2. Marker and Torpedo

Credits. This page was last revised on May 31, 2022. It was originally submitted on July 8, 2008, by Tom Fuchs of Greenbelt, Maryland. This page has been viewed 2,046 times since then and 60 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on July 8, 2008, by Tom Fuchs of Greenbelt, Maryland.