It Begins With Water Power

In 1820, Amos Williams and his three brothers borrowed $20,000 from their friend John Savage to start a textile weaving business here on the banks of the Little Patuxent River. The water from the river flowed over a huge 30 foot water wheel which powered the machines that wove the cloth. They named the business Savage Mill after their generous friend. It functioned as a working textile mill from 1822 through 1947.

From Clipper Sails to Hollywood Tales

The main product woven here in the 1800's was canvas. This lightweight, yet strong, material was used in making sails for the clipper ships that sailed in and out of Baltimore harbor. The canvas woven at Savage Mill was also used for making: tents, cannon covers, and other supplies for Civil War armies during the 1860's; painted backdrops for the first silent movies filmed in Hollywood from 1890 to 1900; tents, cots, truck covers, and transport bags used by U.S. soldiers in Europe during both World Wars I and II.

By 1947, lack of demand for woven cotton meant the end of the mill's weaving days.

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