At first glance, the mile-long and half-mile-wide Martin-Marietta Texas Quarry may appear as only a massive pit. That would be correct since the quarry was the source of marble that built the walkway to the Capitol in Annapolis and the portico for St. Paul’s Cathedral in NYC. Our Washington Monument in Baltimore is made from it and a section of the Washington Monument in D.C. But the history of this quarry goes back to 1802 and some of the first Irish immigrants to the region. On this tour, let’s watch the heavy equipment dig and haul while discovering the stories of those immigrants, both at the quarry and the nearby Historical Society of Baltimore County. Let’s marvel at the feats of modern machinery while remembering that early town of Texas and the Campbell Quarry.
The tour is stationed at a scenic overlook above the quarry. Bring your binoculars and a lawn chair to watch the equipment in comfort while we learn the history of the quarry, including past and current ownership, and information on the daily operations. The quarry portion of our day is 1.5 hours long.
From the quarry, we will drive independently to the Historical Society of Baltimore County, a five-minute trip. Our history lesson continues with photos and archival items from the early days of the Campbell Quarry. The Society’s building holds an interesting history as the former Baltimore County Almshouse. It was built in 1872 to house the poor and mentally ill and operated until 1958. During the Cold War, the Almshouse was used as a Civil Defense shelter and radio room. We will get a behind-the-scenes tour of the shelter and the emergency supplies from that era that still reside in the basement.
- Visitors are welcome to take as many photos as they like.
- Visitors are welcome to bring binoculars to see further away areas (the span is over 1 mile across).
- Visitors are welcome to bring lawn chairs or a stool to rest on if needed.
- Visitors are encouraged to bring water/hydration and a hat if needed to shade from some sun. The area is well-shaded but sometimes can get sunny.
- The two portions of our day will span lunch. Bring a snack or food to eat between stops or on the lawn at the Historical Society.
- The age group for this tour is for adults only. Two family-friendly quarry trips are scheduled for Oct 20 and Mar 15, 2024.
In case of inclement weather, this tour will be canceled. The quarry portion is all outdoors. Detailed driving directions on where to meet will be emailed five days before the trip.
Cancellation Policy: NHSM Field Experiences – Cancellations made seven or more days in advance of the field experience will receive a refund (minus a $5 processing fee). Cancellations made within the week of the event will not receive a refund but can be transferred to a friend.
For questions, please email Jayne at JAsh@marylandnature.org.