Christmas Village and Circus Days

By the late 40's, the mill had grown to 12 different buildings, and was bought by Mr. Harry Heim. He turned the entire complex into a Christmas Display Village, dressed up as Saint Nick and brought in live reindeer. A miniature B&O Railroad train transported visitors from the Route 1 parking area. There was also a one-ring circus in the huge New Weave Room, complete with elephants, trapeze artists, and a carousel. Interest was great and traffic increased, but Mr. Heim's ideas were bigger than his pocketbook and he went bankrupt in 1950.

The Winer family bought the complex in 1950 and used it for warehousing and assembly in their own manufacturing business. The family remains involved in the present day partnership that owns the historic mill.

The Bollman Truss semi-suspension bridge which spans the Little Patuxent river was brought here in 1860 when the B&O Railroad serviced the Mill.

This style of bridge was used all over the United States and Europe, but was made of wrought and cast iron which rusted out in all locations but one. The last standing Bollman Truss semi-suspension bridge in the world is here at Savage Mill and is recognized as a national treasure.

Making the National Register

Savage Mill consists of 9 remaining buildings which date back to 1820 and are mostly interconnected. They range from one to five levels and total approximately 175,000 square feet. The Mill no longer owns the mill houses surrounding the complex; they are now privately owned and are included as part of the surrounding historic district. The Mill, an Historic Landmark, was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1974. The grounds consist of 17 acres, including 2 parking areas. Howard County owns and maintains Savage Park, which includes hundreds of acres and encircles the entire area.

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