Laurel, Maryland: Depot to Paddock to Dam

Laurel is an old mill town on the Patuxent river in central Maryland. A 19th century mill town needed two things: a river to dam and a railroad to ship its product. If the railroad depot happened to be next to a thoroughbred race track, all the better. The rail depot sits at the east end of Main Street. The river runs parallel to Main Street and between the depot and the race track. The mill is long gone, but the depot and race track remain. My father grew up in this town and my brother now lives in our grandfather's house in the town's old section. We took a five mile hike around town and along the river this Labor Day morning.

                     The railroad depot at Laurel, built by the B & O, now owned by CSX.

                                       The paddock at Laurel Park, inside and out.

                                      The grandstand and home stretch at Laurel Park.

The Patuxent river near the site of the old cotton mill.

                                          All that remains of the old mill dam.