Savage, MD, set in between Columbia and Laurel, offers an idyllic small town wonderland in an area more commonly known for its urban development and new construction suburbs. Savage is a piece of Maryland history that has a lot of pride in its past and takes an active hand in shaping its unique, creative community built up around a textile mill.
Savage real estate has been around for hundreds of years, with the first people on the land in 1650. It really started getting its start in 1820 as a textile mill on Little Patuxent River. The mill itself lasted over 100 years, providing jobs and industry to the town that started growing up around it. One of the reasons this mill was so successful was that it created canvas for all the ships coming into Baltimore and other coastal docks. Ships weren't the only thing using this canvas, as it also was used for various military equipment such as tents. The mill stopped creating canvas in 1947, but it got a second life as a Christmas village until it was purchased in 1950. In 1974, it was officially placed on the National Historic Register.
The mill wasn't the only original building surviving. There's a full historic district located in the downtown area. Savage Station, one of the original stations on the B&O Railroad line, is another historic building providing a window into Savage's past. Some of the Savage real estate available also consists of older buildings, providing the type of charm that is distinct to older housing.
The shopping is one of the highlight experiences in Savage, MD, as big box stores are far away from this area. Instead, you have many small business owners running shops in the historic textile mill and surrounding downtown area. The Savage Mill shops range from a Christmas village setup to boutiques featuring a wide array of clothing. In an area where many shopping centers are filled with identical chain stores, Savage Mill is a breath of fresh air that really shows off the primary charm of this community. You get to see your neighbors at their stores, up and coming entrepreneurs, and well established family businesses that have been in the area for many years. This isn't the type of small town atmosphere you get to find frequently, especially not in southern or central Maryland. With that said, if you do want to journey to familiar stores for certain items, Columbia is 10 minutes away and is an affluent and well developed area offering everything from regional favorite Wegman's to an array of dining options in its many shopping centers.
One reason many creative people are flocking to Savage real estate is the pride the area takes in its resident artists. These artists come from many walks of life and areas of the world, from those who have lived in Savage all their lives to artists who have come to the community because of its support. Many art forms are represented in the Savage Mill studios and galleries, from functional pottery offered by C-Gull Pottery to Susannas Gallery, a working artist studio. The studios are the most fascinating additions to the Mill stores, as you get to watch the artists as they work. You can watch local artists doing what they do best, right in front of your eyes, it's hard to go back to a typical gallery offering art by an artist you can't meet with or talk to.
Some of the studios and galleries also offer classes, where accomplished artists teach you to create in similar styles. You get hands-on time with their preferred medium, sometimes using fascinating techniques or art supplies you wouldn't otherwise have access to. It's a unique experience that helps to set this suburb apart from other areas.
While Savage real estate is located in a fairly developed area, which limits the amount of greenspace available, it does have room for a few prominent outdoor recreation areas. One of the most well known in the area is the Terrapin Adventures located in the New Weave Building. The main draw to this adventure zone are the zip lines, which take you far above the tree line so you can get a new perspective on Maryland forests. Ropes courses are also available, and the facility acts as a launching point for adventures outside of town. Some of the outdoor recreation options they offer when you head away from the main adventure area includes geocaching, kayaking, and caving. It's an excellent way to spend your free time in the spring, summer, and fall, especially since there's always some new outdoor activity to learn and experience.
Since Savage is off the beaten path, it doesn't tend to experience the same amount of traffic congestion that plagues other Baltimore suburbs. There's plenty of bike-friendly areas, and the Twenty 20 Cycling shop provides repairs, bikes, and also supports local biking events. You have a lot of ways to get out and enjoy the fresh air in this charming small Maryland town.
