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Historical Tour
Location Avalon Areas
Patapsco Valley State Park
Baltimore and Howard Counties
Patapsco River History Center, 410-737-0451
Patapsco Valley State Park Headquarters, 410-461-5005 (Mon.-Fri. 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m.)
Access Park entrance located off South Street from Route 1 South in Elkridge
Distance 4.5 miles driving
2 miles walking
Time 3 hours
Trail Start at Patapsco History Center for an orientation, located one mile from the park entrance. Then visit the Glen Artney Area, Avalon and Orange Grove park areas. Take a 2-mile round-trip walk to Bloede's Dam from Orange Grove.
Skill Level Novices
Suitable For Families? Yes
Hazards/Restrictions Stay off railroad tracks.
Potable Water/Restrooms Available at the Patapsco History Visitor Center, Avalon Picnic Area, and Orange Grove Picnic Area
Natural Features Steep wooden river valley in piedmont with maturing hardwood forest. Natural stream tributaries form small waterfall cascades.
Historic/Cultural Features Thomas Viaduct (world's largest multiple arched stone railroad bridge)
Orange Grove swinging bridge
Bloede's Dam (world's first submerged electrical generating plant)
ruins of Avalon Iron and Nail Works
Avalon Water Works
Depression-era C.C.C. Camp Tydings
Guiding Call Patapsco River History Center (410-737-0451) for a list of programs offered by the Greenway Guides.
Camping Located at Hollofield Campground off Route 40 near Ellicott City. Call 1-888-432-2267 for reservations.
Other Points of Interest Nearby town of Elkridge provides remnants of a late 17th century village and deep-water seaport. Town includes restored Elkridge Furnace Inn, a state-owned property managed under the DNR's resident curatorship program. It now serves as a four-star restaurant and conference center. A replica of a Civil War steam gun captured by Union soldiers can be seen near the Town of Elkridge sign on Route 1 North.
Other Accommodations Motels are located on Route 1. Hotels are 2.5 miles away at BWI Airport on Elkridge Landing Road.
Fees or Permits $2 per person service charge at the park entrance April through September
Description A scenic walk and drive through a wooded river valley looking at ruins of colonial and 19th century industrial mill towns. The tour visits the site of a depression-era Civilian Conservation Corps camp and the world's first underwater hydroelectric dam.


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