Savage - a vibrant, historical community in the heart of Maryland

Historic Savage 

A rich vein of American industrial history flows through Savage MD  - named for Philadelphia merchant John Savage and located in southern Howard County,Maryland about 12 miles (19 km) south of Baltimore and 20 miles (32 km) north of Washington, D.C. The cotton milling industry started in Maryland in the 18th century and flourished in the 19th century. Cotton was shipped cheaply from Southern ports and hauled overland by mule and oxen teams to the mills before rail transportation served Savage. When the textile industry was in its heyday Savage was an important manufacturing center which harnessed the water power on the falls of the Little and Middle Patuxent Rivers. In 1822 Mr. Savage and his associates, the Williams brothers, chartered the Savage Manufacturing Company. The company produced sails for the clipper ships that sailed out of Baltimore Harbor in addition to a wide variety of other cotton products.

Historic Buildings in Savage

Parts of the "The Mill" date from about 1820, and historians have recorded that the mill once had an iron foundry that made many kinds of machinery, specializing in textile manufacturing. The operation of the mill was greatly expanded in 1880 with the installation of steam power.

A renovation program began in 1984 that established Savage Mill as a major permanent marketplace. With its new role as a festive showcase for quality arts, crafts, antiques, and specialty items, Savage Mill is more than a "shopping mill." It's a leisurely place to explore, enjoy, and to appreciate the history of a quiet mill town on the banks of the Middle Patuxent River.

Official Web Site

Carroll Baldwin Hall  

A lovely old Richardsonian Romanesque building constructed of stone from the nearby Patuxent River,  was built for the residents of Savage as their Community Hall. The center of gatherings movies and stages performances, The building formerly housed a bowling ally in the basement and was once home to the Savage branch of the Howard County Library. It was built in the early 1920's as a memorial to Carroll Baldwin, former president of the manufacturing company. The Baldwins managed the company from 1859 to 1911.

Baldwin Hall is undergoing renovations, and the main hall is newly redone including plaster repairs, window replacement and repair, and new paint. Efforts are ongoing to restore this treasure to better serve the community.

"The Hall" hosts community events and is available for private parties, weddings and other community events. For rental information call 410-294-3561.

The Manor House  

Privately owned and operated, the Savage Mill Manor House is found down the street from the Mill and Baldwin Hall and has also been completely renovated. It is now used to host weddings, parties and special events. For Rental Information Contact 301-725-4220.

Free Mason's Solomon Lodge #121   Full size image

The Free Mason's Solomon Lodge (number121) is located at 101 Fair Street. This lodge has been active since 1865.

For more information on this chapter of the lodge visit their Home Page

Commodore Joshua Barney House

This lodge which is on the National Register of Historic Places has 6 acres of beautiful grounds and several B&B rooms (not sure if they are currently open for rental).

There are regular events here including weddings and ???

Visit their Home Page

Area Schools

BBES is....

Patuxant Valley Middle School

PVMS is....

Hammond High School

Hammond is not located within Savage, but in adjacent southern Columbia. Hammond is the school that most (all???) of the high school students in Savage attend.

Bethel Christian Acadamy (private)

This private school is associated with the church also found in Savage.

Public Areas and Parks

In 1835 the Washington branch of the B&O Railroad was completed, and Savage Station was established on the line about a mile southeast of the present mill. A spur of the B&O was laid to the Savage factory in 1887, and it was at this time that the famous Bollman Truss railroad bridge was moved to its present site from another location. Beloved by railroad buffs, the iron truss bridge is the only one of its type in the world, and, along with the mill, is on the National Register of Historic Places.Bollman bridge with Savage Mill tower in background, 1970.

In 1835, the Savage Station was established on the Washington Branch of the B&O Railroad. In 1887, the Bollman Truss Railroad Bridge was relocated to Savage. Originally built in 1852, it was one of about 100 on the B&O line.

Savage Park

Savage park has five baseball fields, four lighted tennis courts, two basketball courts, two volleyball courts, two horseshoe pits and a pavilion. There is direct access to the Savage (Turkey Walk) trail. There is ample parking and a children's play area with lots of swings, climbing and other activities.

Visit the Howard County site for more info including pavilion rentals and contact information.

Need a picture!

Baldwin Commons

Adjacent to Baldwin Hall is a small park area perfect for a picnic, a game of frisbee or just relaxing and enjoying a nice day. Centered in the park is a tree which is decorated for the community during the holidays. Take advantage of the new (2010) park benches, and enjoy an evening stroll under the lighting installed during those upgrades.

Trails

There are a variety of trails available in an near Savage for hiking, running and biking.

Wincopin Trails

A variety of blazed trails loop from the parking area off Volmerhausen Road through wooded parkland and nestle in with the Middle and Little Patuxant Rivers.View Trail Map

 Savage River Trail or the "Turkey Walk"

This short loop runs from behind Bollman Bridge Elem/Patuxant Middle schools through some wooded areas and connects to Savage Par, and may even continue to Savage Mill. Brown Trail on Map

Patuxant River Trail

This trail runs from the bottom of the hill on Vollmerhausen Road and connects to the Columbia trail system at Lake Elkhorn. This allows access to virtually all of south and central Howard County via foot or bike. (get an image of the iron bridge). Trail map - begins at section E6

Churchs

The baptist church is....

Bethel Chistian

Bethel Christian church is....

Methodist

The methodist church is....

Coptic

The coptic church is....