Bloede Dam, Spanning Patapsco River, Avalon, Baltimore County, MD

Significance: In 1907, the Patapsco Electric and Manufacturing Company contracted Ambursen Hydraulic Construction Company to build the Bloede Dam using Nils F. Ambursen's patent. The proposed dam would generate power for Catonsville, Maryland, and surrounding areas. The reinforced-concrete flat slab buttress dam had an open interior in which the powerhouse was located, an unusual design that was one of the first of its kind. In addition to its importance in the development of dam technology, Bloede Dam is also significant for its association with Victor G. Bloede, president of the Patapsco Electric and Manufacturing Company. Bloede was a chemist noted for his work in developing sunfast dyes and various types of glues. His company, Victor G. Bloede Manufacturing, produced the postage stamp glue used by the U.S. government throughout the twentieth century.

Unprocessed Field note material exists for this structure: N1679

Survey number: HAER MD-189

Building/structure dates: 1906-1907 Initial Construction

Building/structure dates: 1914-1915 Subsequent Work

Building/structure dates: 1932 Subsequent Work

Building/structure dates: 1972 Subsequent Work

Building/structure dates: 1990 Subsequent Work

Building/structure dates: 1992 Subsequent Work

Building/structure dates: 2018 Demolished

dams reinforced concrete construction power industry fish ladders hydroelectric power plants rivers fishing buttresses porthole windows graffiti bays rooms and spaces avalon allis chalmers ambursen hydraulic construction company nils f ambursen american aniline works american rivers john bancroft bloede and rathbone victor bloede justine christianson consolidated gas electric light and power company electric light and power company consolidated gas l naomi doddington eden construction company general electric historic american engineering record inc inter fluve james leffel and company joseph bancroft and sons company george b lewis christopher h marston maryland department of natural resources maryland state board of forestry jeremy t mauro national oceanic and atmospheric administration restoration center newton and painter oakes and rathbone jarob j ortiz patapsco electric and manufacturing company ryan pierce slingluff and glacken chemical company us fish and wildlife service edwin m van dyck victor g bloede company h von schon photo bloede dam patapsco river baltimore county maryland power plants manufacturing plants manufacturing electrical diagrams technical diagrams technical drawing architectural diagrams engineering diagrams library of congress

1969 - 1980

Library of Congress

https://www.loc.gov/

No known restrictions on images made by the U.S. Government; images copied from other sources may be restricted. http://www.loc.gov/rr/print/res/114_habs.html