Maryland's lost silver mine
For more than a century, rumors have persisted in Carroll County, Md., of a lost treasure. Most versions of the story say it is a hidden silver mine, but at least one version of the story says that the treasure is gold bullion stored in a cave. Either way, the treasure has eluded hunters, leaving residents split over whether it ever existed. Ahrwud’s Mine The story of a silver mine in the Silver Run area of Carroll County supposedly dates back to the late 1750’s when a German silversmith with the last name of Ahrwud settled in the area. The legend is that Ahrwud made friends with the local Indian tribe who knew of the location of silver, which they used for trading, but they admired Ahrwud’s craftsmanship. “In return for all the silver he could possibly use, Ahrwud Read more…
Carroll County, Md.,'s Hidden History
During its 174 years, Carroll County has been the scene of war, growth, disaster, betrayal and more. Much of its history has faded into obscurity, but some pieces remain, just waiting to be rediscovered. Here are a few: Railroad Ties The Western Maryland Railway Historical Society works to preserve the records and artifacts of the WMRR, which began as the Baltimore, Carroll and Frederick Railway in 1852. In the Union Bridge building that had for many years served as the main offices for the Western Maryland Railway, you can tour a free museum maintained by the society. On view are bells, lanterns, pictures, model train layouts and more. “The scale-model layout we have represents the Western Maryland route from Union Bridge to the high bridges just west of Thurmont,” said Society President Dennis Wertz. The second floor of the building Read more…
Carrollite: The Mineral Once Found Only in Carroll County
While Carroll County is part of Maryland and the United States, it is also very different. I’m not just talking about the people, history or culture here. The actual land of Carroll is so different that it has had a mineral named after it. For years after it was first discovered, Carroll County was the only place in the world that Carrollite was known to exist. Then slowly other deposits were discovered on other continents and in other countries. Now there are even a few other places in the United States where it has been found. Though the place where it was first discovered is buried and forgotten, the name remains not only to mark Carroll County’s place in Maryland, but in the world. Mining in Carroll County Carroll County attracted the attention of prospectors in 1846. They weren’t Read more…
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