Savage Mill

History: After the Civil War began in 1861, the mill town of Savage served a vital need for the US Army. William Baldwin, who had purchased the mills in 1859, manufactured canvas for cannon covers and tents. The Baltimore and Ohio Railroad line to savage Mill transported Federal troops, and nearby at Annapolis Junction, Union soldiers en route to Washington in April 1861 managed to avoid the Baltimore Riots. When Gen. Benjamin F. Butler and his Massachusetts regiments arrived in Annapolis by boat, they repaired a locomotive, cars, equipment and rebuilt tracks Confederate sympathizers had destroyed on the Annapolis/Elkridge spur of the B&O. Once fixed, they boarded the train and made their way to Washington D.C.

More to Explore: Today, Savage Mill is now a historic complex of buildings that provides several antique centers, craft galleries, art studios, home furnishing stores, specialty shops and restaurants to enjoy during your visit. It is also home to a growing number of resident artists who you can visit while they work, since many are commissioned daily for their art. Besides shopping, you can take a self-guided walking tour that will take you through the major points of interest in the area such as the Savage Mill Manor House, Masonic Hall, Baldwin "Summer" Home, and ruins of the Savage Mill Powerhouse. For thrill seekers, Terrapin Adventures, located directly behind Savage Mill, provides spine-chilling rides on their Giant Swing and zipline, exhilarating climbs on the climbing tower, and perplexing high obstacles on their challenge course.

Photo Credits:

1. “Savage Mill, as it looked in the late 19th century.”
2. “Annapolis Junction in the mid-19th century.”