Today’s visitors to Savage Mill can attest firsthand to its versatile nature. The site of several different retailers, recreations, dining establishments, events, and services, Savage Mill is forever buzzing with activity and endeavors. Perhaps you were here this past Halloween season and opted for one of the many ongoing Historic Ghost Tours they offer. Or maybe you’re planning to come for their upcoming annual Savage Mill Yuletide, which gets underway on November 30 and runs through December 22. But in truth, you never need a special occasion as an excuse to come here.
To say that Savage Mill, Maryland, is an interesting place would be the understatement of the century. It’s always been that way, even in the very beginning. From its operation as an acclaimed mill and thriving village to its eventual reinvention 125 years later, Savage Mill boasts a fascinating backstory. So, for this Flashback Friday Feature, I’m enlightening you on just what that said backstory entails.
The Earliest Years
The history of the land on which the famed Savage Mill shopping area and surrounding Historic District now sit predates its Industrial era origins by over a century and a half. This property was once part of a 1685 land grant formerly named “Ridgley’s Forest” after Colonel Henry Ridgely (future justice of the peace for Anne Arundel County), who arrived in the colonies in 1659 and surveyed the area.
The Alexander Warfield family occupied the land throughout much of the 18th century (passing it on to sons Brice Warfield and John Worthington). It was in 1750 that the very first inception of a mill was established on the grounds, built by Alexander Warfield. Situated along the local area river and its adjoining falls, the mill was constructed more out of necessity rather than profitability. It was sold to Francis Simpson along with portions of “Warfields Range” along the Little Patuxent in 1760.
Making a Mill
Savage Mill’s more familiar history begins circa 1810 when Revolutionary War hero Commodore Joshua Barney came to settle permanently in what is now Howard County, Maryland. With all the innovative new thinking of the day, Barney immediately realized the potential power source that could be provided by the Little Patuxent River. Soon, he began acquiring land along the rapids, intent on establishing a mill. So, Barney’s son-in-law, Nathaniel Williams, along with his brothers George, Cumberland, and Amos, all got to work on constructing the conceptual mill.
The first section to be completed—what was originally the whole mill—is what we know today as the Card Building. It was established in 1816.
The textile industry was what the mill was primarily known for, with the main product manufactured onsite being cotton duck, a heavy type of canvas sailcloth. Barney’s millrace served as the main power source early on.
In their continued construction efforts, the Williams brothers needed to borrow $20,000 from Mr. John Savage of Philadelphia—a family friend. This resulted in the renaming of the business to “the Savage Manufacturing Company” in the benefactor’s honor in 1821. In just a few short years, the mill business was thriving. It employed as many as 200 people by 1825, including women and children.
A Milling Community Is Born
Expansions continued to unfold at the mill location in the years that followed. Some of these newer additions included a grist mill, an iron foundry, and a machine shop. By the 1840s, a direct connection with the B&O Railroad was established, connecting the Bollman Bridge to assist in importing and exporting efforts.
In the mid-1850s, John Savage, Jr.—son of the late John Savage, who loaned money to the Williams brothers—filed suit on unpaid debt accrued from the aforementioned loan. As a result, the court put the mill up for sale. It was eventually sold to William H. Baldwin, Jr., who owned a dry goods firm in Baltimore.
Under Baldwin’s ownership, mill operations continued to thrive and even expanded. This was the era when the “Old” Weave Building, Tower, Spinning Building, Paymaster’s Office, and Steam Power Plant were all built. Furthermore, by the end of the 19th century and into the early 20th, a surrounding community began to take shape, catering to mill workers. A stone community hall for the town (eventually serving as a movie theater) was even erected along with a large group of tenant houses. By then, the mill was operating as the Baldwin, Leslie, and Company.
While mill life entailed working long hours and applying diligence and stamina, community members were well provided for. All of life’s essentials and necessities were readily available, including quality food, an ice plant, and even improved water filtration systems and sewage management. Electricity came to town as well. Even the Maryland State Police set up temporary barracks here between 1927 and 1929 before relocating to Waterloo.
Work at the mill prospered immensely during times of war, when the demand for cotton duck was so high. During World War II, they were putting out 400,000 pounds a month! By then the mill employed 325 workers.
But with the end of the decade also came the end of an era. With worn-down machinery having run its course and being too expensive to repair or replace, the mill eventually halted all active operations and officially closed in 1948.
A Short-Lived Reinvented Christmas Village
Shortly after closing to the public, the mill was purchased by Harry Heim for the sum of $450,000. He intended to reimagine the site as a year-round Christmas Village designated “Santa Heim” (Santa’s Home). Opening in December 1948, the newly converted Christmas village featured live reindeer, a one-ring circus, and even a miniature train that carried guests to the mill from a parking lot on U.S. Route 1. There was also a turreted castle.
The former Carol Baldwin Hall was where Christmas merchandise and products were sold. It’s also worth noting that while it lasted, onsite operations for this brief stint resulted in the production of 65 million Christmas tree globes for which 400 workers were employed.
Henry Heim had big dreams to go even further. Long-term goals included plans for a hotel and an artificial lake with a waterfall, and even renaming the town Santa Heim, Merryland. Unfortunately, the dream was bigger than the budget, and in 1950 the mill site was again up for sale.
Discovering New Life
The mill was purchased by Albert Winer and his brothers Samuel, Hyman, and Ephraim later that year. It was under their direction that the former mill location was first used as warehousing for the National Store Fixture Company before rediscovering life as an antique mall.
By 1974, it was added to the National Register of Historic Places. The year that followed saw attempts to rezone the property from industrial use to a multiple business setup. Historical restorations were also underway at this time, all of which were completed in the 1980s.
It was in 1985 that Albert Winer’s son Jay Winer founded Savage Limited Partnership and reopened the mill as a collection of restaurants, specialty shops, and antique dealers.
Savage Mill Today
In the years that have since followed, Savage Mill has ignited a new life and energy. Today, the Savage Mill we all know and love is home to a lively, creative collective of more than 70 businesses and dining establishments, all catering to a wide range of ages and interests. And as I previously mentioned, there’s always something going on here. But don’t take my word for it. Come out and experience it all for yourself!
Savage Mill is located at 8600 Foundry Street, Savage, MD 20763. Learn more on the website at www.savagemill.com.