Our World - Catoctin Iron Furnace

Catoctin Iron Furnace began operations in the 1700's when early settlers in Frederick County discovered iron on Catoctin Mountain. Abundant wood and limestone were also nearby. A nearby creek powered the bellows. Later steam was used to power the bellows. Pig iron was shipped to iron works elseware. During the Revolutionary War, cannon balls were made for Washington's Army. Over the years, three furnaces were built. This is the only one still standing. The furnance ceased operations in 1903. The furnace is on the eastern edge of Cunningham Falls State Park.

Furnace at far end of casting shed

Closer to furnace

Casting shed with restored roof

The Ironmaster's house has not been restored. Nature is reclaiming it. There is a walkway that allows one to see the interior.

My World - Horse and buggy day

Actually these horse-drawn carriages and wagons on the fall Rose Hill Carriage and Maryland Draft Horse and Mule Association drive through historic Frederick. The drive begins at Rose Hill Manor on the north end of Market Street. The procession went west through Baker Park, across Market Street, down East Street, along Patrick Street and back north on Market Street to Rose Hill Manor.

Historic Bridges - Loy's Station

Approach from the south

Loy's Station Covered Bridge is one of three remaining covered bridges in Frederick County. This multiple king post bridge was built around 1860 over Owens Creek in the northern part of the county. It was reinforced with steel beams and a center pier on the 1930's; and rehabilitated in 1976. After a fire, it was rebuilt in 1994 with contributions from people of the county. There is a small community park along the creek, making this historic bridge one of the best for parking and photographing. Bring a picnic and enjoy the sun, fresh air and beautiful setting.

King post detail

Side view from island in the creek

South abutment

PhotoHunt - Old farm engines

One cylinder engine

I found these at the Rose Hill Manor fall festival two weeks ago.

Titan tractor

Rumley tractor

My World Tuesday - Rose Hill Manor

Rose Hill Manor

Rose Hill Manor is well known because it was the retirement home of Thomas Johnson, the first elected Governor of Maryland. He was born in Calvert County in 1732, was admitted to the Maryland bar in 1753 and to the Frederick bar in 1760. He was active in the Maryland legislature and events of the American Revolution, including commanding the Maryland Militia. He was a delegate to the First Continental Congress in 1774. He also served as an Associate Justice of the US Supreme Court. In 1778 he purchased the land known as Rose Garden and renamed it Rose Hill. However, he then purchased land further north of the City of Frederick and built his home there. He gave Rose Hill to his daughter Ann Jennings Johnson and she and her husband built the home shown here. After the death of his wife, Gov. Johnson lived with his daughter until his death in 1819.

In 1964, 50 acres of Rose Hill were sold to the City of Frederick for a high school, which bears his name. In 1968 Frederick County purchased the remaining 43 acres for to establish the first county park. Today Rose Hill is a Children's Museum, providing a glimpse into life 200 years ago in the early like of the US. The museum offers tours to groups as well as individuals. Spring and fall festivals are held in addition to other events during the year.

In 1977 the Farm Museum was established at Rose Hill. It provides a look at farming on the late 1800's and early twentieth century. There is also an exhibit of fine carriages and sleighs from the collection of Robert H. Renneberger.

Rock wall

Original log cabin

Dairy barn

Hay ride at the fall festival

Historic Bridges - Reich's Ford Road

South approach

Reich's Ford Road Bridge was built in 1905 by the York Bridge Company. It spans Bush Creek in southern Frederick County. It is a gusset plate pony truss bridge. York Bridge Company built several bridges of this type in Frederick County in the early 1900's.

North approach

Upstream view

Gusset plate

Historic Bridges: Bennies Hill Road revisited

Attaching cables and straps

On May 28, the Bennie's Hill Road Bridge was reset on its abutments. The bridge structure has been resting in the road while the abutments were rebuilt. Some parts of the metal structure were replaced and the bridge repainted. This 94-foot bridge was originally built in 1879 and is listed on the National Register of Historical Places. A large crane was used to lift the bridge, swing it over the creek and lower it onto the abutments. For another view of the bridge in air, see my Thursday post. There is still work to be done before traffic can cross the creek. Floor beams and decking must be replaced and work around the approach completed. I will do another update after the bridge is open to traffic. For more info on this bridge (and other historic bridges) see Historic Bridges of Michigan and Elsewhere.

Lift off!

Over the creek

View of the other side

Almost there

In place!

Historic Bridges: Keysville - Four Points

I thoroughly enjoyed RuneE's meme Bridges Between. The meme included the widest definition of the title, with posts on ways of connecting people other than the traditional structure crossing some chasm. I am going to post here a personal theme "Historic Bridges" focusing on bridges in our area that have historical significance. Frederick County has 29 such bridges with spans over 20 feet. There are also other bridges in Maryland that I want to cover. Most of the Frederick County historic bridges were built in the late 1800's or early 1900's. Three are wooden covered bridges; one is a stone arch bridge; and 25 are metal truss bridges. In 1990 the county Department of Highways and Transportation began a program to rehabilitate and preserve these bridges. Some were rehabilited by county crews and contractors were hired for others. The county is planning to keep these bridges open as long as the traffic load does not exceed bridge capacity.

These historic bridges were posted as part of Bridges Between:

Roddy Road Covered Bridge posted April 2008
Legore Stone Arch Bridge posted July 2008
Antietam Lower Bridge (aka Burnside's Bridge) posted August 2008
Utica Mills Covered Bridge posted September 2008
Stevens Road Bridge posted December 2008
Bullfrog Road Bridge posted January 2009
Sixes Road Bridge posted February 2009
Bennies Hill Road posted March 2009

In addition, Marianne posted Loy's Station Covered Bridge in September 2007. All are in Frederick County except Antietam Lower Bridge, which is in Washington County on the site of a major Civil War battle.

Approach

Today's post is the Keysville - Four Points Bridge spanning Tom's Creek in the northern part of Frederick County. This is a Pratt truss bridge. It was built by the Wrought Iron Bridge Company of Canton, Ohio in 1880. It was washed off its abutments by Hurricane Fran in September 1996, lifted out of the creek by a crane, rehabilitated and placed back on its abutments. It reopened to traffic in August 1997. In addition to being a county historic bridge, it is listed in the National Registry of Historic Places.

View from down stream

Abutment and bearing detail

Bottom chord detail

Wood deck