Bread and Cheese Creek facts for kids

Bread and Cheese Creek is a small stream in Baltimore County, Maryland. It's about 3.2 miles (5.1 km) long. This creek starts near the Baltimore city line and flows east. It eventually empties into the Back River, which then flows into the famous Chesapeake Bay. The area of land that drains into the creek is about 1.85 square miles (4.8 sq km).

History of the Creek

The name Bread and Cheese Creek is very old, going back to colonial times. No one knows for sure how it got its name. However, a popular story says it comes from the War of 1812. During the Battle of North Point, soldiers often rested by the stream. They would eat their food, which was usually hardtack (a type of hard bread) and cheese. This is how the creek might have gotten its unique name!

The War of 1812 and the Battle of North Point

On September 11, 1814, American soldiers led by Brigadier General John Stricker set up camp along Bread and Cheese Creek. They were waiting for the British army to advance.

The next morning, September 12, scouts reported that the British were moving slowly. They also said that British General Ross and his staff were eating breakfast at a nearby farm. When the American officers heard this, two young soldiers, Daniel Wells (18) and Henry G McComas (19), bravely went ahead. They had seen General Ross before. Hiding behind trees, they both fired their rifles at the same time. General Ross was hit and fell. Sadly, the British soldiers fired back at the smoke from their rifles, killing both Wells and McComas.

After General Ross was shot, the British troops, led by Colonel Arthur Brooke, attacked the American line. The battle lasted for several hours that afternoon. The American soldiers fought hard. Eventually, they started to run low on ammunition. They then carefully retreated in an organized way.

After 4 p.m., the British soldiers were tired from the unexpected fighting. They stopped their attack and camped for the night along Bread and Cheese Creek.

Later Changes to the Area

In the 1900s, a large dairy farm called "The Dundalk Dairy" operated along Bread and Cheese Creek. It was there for many years. Later, the government bought the land to build Merritt Boulevard.

In the early 1970s, some old farm buildings and a small family cemetery were still visible, but they were falling apart. These old structures were removed when Constellation Energy put up large power lines. A shopping center called Merritt Manor was also built in the area.

Water Quality of the Creek

The local government in Baltimore County has said that Bread and Cheese Creek needs a lot of help with its water quality. It has a "Very High Priority" for actions to manage stormwater. This is because a lot of trash and dirt are found in the creek.

Improving the Creek's Health

The county suggests several ways to control pollution from urban runoff (water that flows over streets and picks up pollutants). These ideas include:

• Disconnecting downspouts from storm drains.
• Marking storm drains to show they lead to the creek.
• Improving the natural areas along the creek, called buffers.
• Cleaning alleys and sweeping streets more often.
• Planting more trees.
• Teaching the public about how to keep the water clean.

In 2009, a group called Clean Bread and Cheese Creek (CBCC) was started. This organization works to improve the water quality and take care of the creek's watershed. Their efforts include:

• Organizing stream cleanups.
• Educating local residents.
• Speaking up for the creek's needs.

In 2010, there was an attempt to fix a small bridge over Bread and Cheese Creek using eco-friendly materials. However, because of vandalism, the project had to be stopped.