John Smith Explores Patapsco
Captain John Smith visited the Patapsco River twice in 1608 after settling at Jamestown the previous year. In a 40-foot shallop, Smith and his crew were exploring the Chesapeake Bay hoping, in vain, to discover a passage to the Pacific Ocean. On the first journey they moored near the Patapsco's mouth and traveled across the Middle Branch, the basin for both the Gwynns Falls stream and the Patapsco River. They found the Patapsco navigable as far as the falls at Elkridge and placed a brass cross there to claim the valley for England. On the second trip Smith's party again anchored near the Patapsco before exploring the upper Chesapeake.
Marker can be reached from Waterview Avenue.
Courtesy hmdb.org
