Hockley Forge and Mill, Colonial industrial building in Elkridge, US
Hockley Forge and Mill is a former industrial complex along the Patapsco River where multiple factory buildings once stood at the river's navigable head. Today you can see remaining foundations and architectural pieces from different mills that operated across separate time periods.
The complex began in 1760 when contractor Caleb Dorsey built it, then later came under control of the Baltimore Company owned by Charles Carroll. The property went through several transformations that mirrored changing economic needs across generations.
The place reflects how local workers and craftspeople made goods that would otherwise have come from England, creating an important local economy. This production shaped daily life for those who worked here and connected this small riverside community to larger colonial trade networks.
The site is accessible on foot and located near the river, making it easy to visit for those interested in industrial history. Plan time to explore the scattered remains and come prepared for uneven ground and natural vegetation.
The property had a surprising second life as an early automobile factory from 1906 to 1910 before moving on to other purposes. This chapter shows how the location quickly adapted to new technologies and industries.
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