One of my favorite parks to visit since I came to the area in 1976 has been Patapsco State Park. The Patapsco Riveris 52 miles long. and winds through woodlands, mountains, and slopes with pictorial beauty. Patapsco is one of the most interesting parks within the boundaries of Maryland. It is also the first official Maryland State Park. Contained within this 14,500 acre park, with over 170 miles of trails throughout in which you will find more than a day’s worth of adventure.
Activities which include Fishing, Hiking, Picnicking, Camping, and an unforgettable adventure in some of Maryland’s history. The most popular section of the park is commonly known as the Avalon area. Which it is named after the original town of Avalon which was destroyed in the flood of 1868. The Avalon area also includes Orange Grove, Glen Artney, and Hilton.
This area is also one of the hottest caching areas in the state. There are over 20 caches hidden throughout the 17 miles of trails within these sections of the park. The Patapsco valley residents have suffered numerous floods and forest fires throughout history. The worst of the floods were in 1868 and 1872.
For the beginning of your virtual tour, near the parks entrance stands one of the oldest and tallest Railroad Viaducts in the world. The Thomas Viaduct consists of 8 arches and stands over 200 feet tall. It is the only stone Viaduct of it’s kind in the world. The stone arch bridge spans over a quarter mile and still carries freight trains and thousands of tons of freight daily. The Patapsco River flows through the center of the bridge, with River Rd. to the south, and The Patapsco Park Entrance Road to the North. Throughout the park remnants of the original Avalon village can be seen as many of the stone and cement footings remain along the railroad.
The Railroad which travels through the park is one of the oldest railroads in the country. Dating back to th 1800’s this railroad is responsible for much of the areas growth in the early years. The first successful steam engine in the United States, The Tom Thumb, raced a horse drawn railcar from Relay, to Baltimore on August 28th, 1830. The horse won due to a mechanical problem on the Tom Thumb. Construction of a second line to Washington DC began when the Thomas Viaduct was completed in 1832. This railroad line became the first railroad to serve our nations capitol.
The Patapsco Park Visitor center is housed in a fully restored stone house built in the 1800’s. Which includes a recreation of a 1930’s forest wardens office.
The swinging bridge was originally made for the citizens of Orange Grove to commute to the work at the mills on the other side of the river in Avalon. The original bridge was made of rope and wood planks. Although the bridge has been destroyed several times by floods throughout the ages it has been rebuilt as recently as 1982 with Iron girders and steel cables.
The Bloede Dam (circa 1907) is believed to be one of the worlds first Hydro Electric generating dams in the world. The dam housed giant generators submerged within it’s shell when water passed through the generators electricity was made.
The flood in 1972 destroyed the power plant leaving behind only the skeleton of the giant. The Dam was reinforced in 1996 with cement and iron. A fish ladder was also installed to allow migratory fish to swim upstream to spawn.
Hopefully you can discover some of Maryland’s invaluable history as you hike through the trails of the Patapsco State Park in search of the caches placed within it’s boundaries. Remember to respect nature as you wander through the trails as the land you are borrowing for your journey belongs to the many thousands of animals who call this area thier home.
The Patapsco State Park has so much to offer. They also have volunteer opportunities for you to help maintain the park as well as learn about the history of the area and help others learn as well. The Friends of The Patapsco Valley State Park is a non-proffit charitable foundation established for the purpose of improving the parks visitor center, trails and programs. Please contact them at 410-737-0451 to donate or volunteer or contact the Maryland Department of Natural Resources, Forest and Park Service. Detailed trail maps and brochures of the history within the area are available at the park office. Park hours are 10am to sunset daily. A $2 per person entrance fee applies during the spring and summer months. Off season addmitance is free.
You man contact them 8am to 4:30pm Monday through Friday at 410-461-5005 or the Maryland State Forest and Park Service general information at 1-800-830-3974
Postal Address:
Patapsco Valley State Park
8020 Baltimore National Pike
Ellicott City, Maryland 21043
Email:
Park-Patapsco@dnr.state.md.us
Website:
http://www.dnr.state.md.us/
