Trips Places Foods Stories Newsletters
Loading...
Loading...
Loading...
Loading...

No search results found for
“”

Make sure words are spelled correctly.

Try searching for a travel destination.

Places near me Random place

Popular Destinations

  • Paris
  • London
  • New York
  • Berlin
  • Rome
  • Los Angeles
Trips Places Foods Stories Newsletters
Sign In Join
Places near me Random place
All the United States Maryland Germantown Waters Mill Ruins

Waters Mill Ruins

The ruins of an old mill lie in a small ravine along a hiking trail near Little Seneca Creek.

Germantown, Maryland

Added By
Ian Hall
Email
Been Here
Want to go
Added to list
CAPTION
Waters’ Mill Ruins   blimpcaptain / Atlas Obscura User
Waters’ Mill Ruins   blimpcaptain / Atlas Obscura User
Waters’ Mill Ruins   blimpcaptain / Atlas Obscura User
Waters’ Mill Ruins historical marker   blimpcaptain / Atlas Obscura User
Been Here
Want to go
Added to list

About

On land originally known as the William and Mary Tract, Zachariah Waters built a saw and grist mill some time around 1810. The mill processed grain, lumber, and linseed oil made from pressed flax seed.

While the mill stopped operating around 1895, an interesting piece of local history explains the demise of the miller's house, which are now separate ruins that are located where the Hard Rock Trail crosses Lake Ridge Road less than half a mile away.

The year was 1920. A man named John Bolton resided in the miller's house from the old Waters' Mill at the time. He was visited by a man named Guy Vernon Thompson, who showed up under the auspices of trying to convince Bolton to vote in an upcoming election.

Bolton refused to let him in, but Thompson continued to pound on the door. Bolton eventually opened the door brandishing a shotgun, which discharged during a scuffle, injuring Thompson's shoulder.

Thompson returned at a later time armed with dynamite, which he had stolen from Waters General Store. He detonated the explosives inside of Bolton's home, killing Bolton and his housekeeper Hattie's two young children, Harold and Evelyn. Harold was killed by the blast. Evelyn succumbed to her injuries that night. Bolton passed the following day from internal injuries.

Hattie was wounded, but survived the attack. The next morning, she made her way to a neighboring farm.

Thompson was convicted of his crimes in January of 1921 based on evidence found at the general store and Bolton's home, along with testimony from Hattie, and Thompson's wife, Hester, who recounted that he brought the dynamite home late on the night of the fatal event before going back out.

Thompson was hanged shortly thereafter at the county jail yard and had the ignominious distinction of being the last man hanged in Montgomery County.

Related Tags

Explosions Crime Ruins

Know Before You Go

The Mill Ruins can be found by walking down the Black Hill Hiker Biker Trail which lies between 13660 and 13663 on Spinning Wheel Drive. Follow the trail past Crystal Rock Trail (which juts off to the right) and over the bridge that spans Little Seneca Creek. A historical marker stands just beyond the bridge on the left, and the ruins of the mill can be seen from the path at the bottom of the ravine.

Community Contributors

Added By

blimpcaptain

Published

January 7, 2022

Edit this listing

Make an Edit
Add Photos
Sources
  • https://patch.com/maryland/germantown/patch-rewind-passion-kills-during-1920s-election
  • https://www.hmdb.org/m.asp?m=99466
Waters Mill Ruins
Black Hill Bike Trail, Black Hill Hiker/Biker Trai
Germantown, Maryland, 20874
United States
39.199951, -77.284158
Get Directions

Nearby Places

Earthoid Water Tank

Germantown, Maryland

miles away

Dowden's Ordinary Park

Clarksburg, Maryland

miles away

Clarksburg School

Clarksburg, Maryland

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Germantown

Germantown

Maryland

Places 5

Nearby Places

Earthoid Water Tank

Germantown, Maryland

miles away

Dowden's Ordinary Park

Clarksburg, Maryland

miles away

Clarksburg School

Clarksburg, Maryland

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Germantown

Germantown

Maryland

Places 5

Related Places

  • Stone pillar.

    Glasgow, Scotland

    Glasgow Sherbet Factory Ruins

    These ruins have been linked to a sherbet factory that exploded, but the story may be entirely fictional.

  • Chateau de Machecoul

    Machecoul, France

    Château de Machecoul

    The ruins of a medieval castle linked to the murderous French lord that inspired the famous legend of Bluebeard.

  • The memorial.

    Forest Park, Illinois

    Haymarket Martyrs Monument

    Chicago’s incendiary role in the labor movement.

  • April 2022

    Portland, Oregon

    The Witch's Castle

    These old stone ruins in the Oregon wilderness were once bathrooms and are steeped in legends of murder.

  • The schoolhouse of Humberstone, The Gourmet Family

    Tamarugal, Chile

    The Nitrate Towns of Chile

    Towns with a resource known as "white gold," valuable enough to fight a war over, now stand ghostly and empty.

  • The nondescript building where Whitey Bulger once held court.

    Somerville, Massachusetts

    Winter Hill Gang Headquarters

    The former headquarters for Whitey Bulger and the notorious Winter Hill Gang.

  • Tharandt, Germany

    Tharandt Castle Ruin

    Near Dresden, a scenic medieval castle ruin offers atmospheric views, educational ties to forestry, and a glimpse into Saxony’s past.

  • Barnsley, England

    Tankersley Old Hall Ruins

    The ruins of a significant 16th-century building once appeared in a 1969 film.

Aerial image of Vietnam, displaying the picturesque rice terraces, characterized by their layered, verdant fields.
Atlas Obscura Membership

Become an Atlas Obscura Member


Join our community of curious explorers.

Become a Member

Get Our Email Newsletter

Follow Us

Facebook YouTube TikTok Instagram Pinterest RSS Feed

Get the app

Download the App
Download on the Apple App Store Get it on Google Play
  • All Places
  • Latest Places
  • Most Popular
  • Places to Eat
  • Random
  • Nearby
  • Add a Place
  • Stories
  • Food & Drink
  • Itineraries
  • Lists
  • Video
  • Podcast
  • Newsletters
  • All Trips
  • Family Trip
  • Food & Drink
  • History & Culture
  • Wildlife & Nature
  • FAQ
  • Membership
  • Feedback & Ideas
  • Community Guidelines
  • Product Blog
  • Unique Gifts
  • Work With Us
  • About
  • FAQ
  • Advertise With Us
  • Advertising Guidelines
  • Privacy Policy
  • Cookie Policy
  • Terms of Use
Atlas Obscura

© 2025 Atlas Obscura. All Rights Reserved.