Elkridge Furnace

The site of the Elkridge Furnace and forge (located in the US state of Maryland), known today as Avalon, was a tract of land patented as "Taylor’s Forest" purchased in 1761 by Caleb Dorsey, an ironmaster. The land was located on the Patapsco river near Elkridge Landing, today being part of the Patapsco Valley State Park. The site first produced pig iron for export to England and after the addition of a forge produced crowbars, some of the earliest tools produced in America. The manufacture of tools in America had been banned for years by England. In 1771, after the death of Caleb Dorsey, the forge was operated by Caleb's sons, Edward Dorsey "Iron Head Ned" and Samuel Dorsey. In 1775 and during the American Revolution (1775-1783), the forge manufactured cast-iron parts for muskets by William Whetcroft. During the time of Mr. Whetcroft, the height of the dam (Avalon pictured here), was increased to allow for constructing a millrace to feed a slitting mill on the property. In 1783, operations at the site were closed due to tax problems and the site was auctioned off in 1815. Benjamin and James Ellicott became the owners and incorporated the site as the Avalon Iron Works in 1822 and manufactured nails.

The Avalon Furnace at Elkridge was the "brain child" of Dr. James Walker, a surgeon from Scotland, residing on Bodys "Boddeys" Adventure, Curtis Creek Area, AAC, Maryland, near Ferry Point, land located a few miles north of "Barker's Furnace" on Furnace Creek, AAC, Maryland.

Dr. Walker purchased much land in the Elkridge Furnace area, no doubt land considered to be iron ore bearing; one of his tracts was named "Iron Hills". At his death his family became the financiers and partners in the Elkridge Furnace. In the 22 March 1759, Anne Arundel Co. Will of James Walker he ordered the transfer of a couple thousand acres (8 km²) of land to Thomas Harrison a prominent AAC Merchant to build the Elkridge Furnace in return for half the profits from the furnace to be paid to his wife and children.

On an 1860 map there was another Iron Furnace in Elkridge Landing "Jansen-Town" near the Elkridge Furnace Inn owned by the Great Falls Iron Company. The history of this furnace is not known nor any connection to Avalon found. In 1868 a historic flood of the Patapsco destroyed Avalon, most of the old town of Elkridge Landing and most of the industry along the Patapsco including the Williams Flour Mill.