Cardiff, Maryland facts for kids
Cardiff is a small community in Harford County, Maryland, in the United States. It's not a city or town with its own government, but a group of homes and businesses. The area's zip code is 21160. This community got its name from Cardiff, the capital city of Wales, a country in the United Kingdom.
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Where is Cardiff, Maryland?
Cardiff is right on the border between Maryland and Pennsylvania. This border is famous and is called the Mason-Dixon line. Cardiff is next to the town of Delta, Pennsylvania. It's also close to the village of Whiteford and not far from Street and Pylesville.
Businesses and Shops in Cardiff
Most businesses in Cardiff are found on Main Street. This street stretches from Whiteford all the way to the Pennsylvania border. You can also find businesses on Dooley Road, which connects Main Street to Route 165. Cardiff has a post office, different shops, and places to fix cars. There are also churches, a fire station, a general store, and a new supermarket.
The History of Cardiff
Cardiff is in an area rich in a type of rock called slate. This natural resource helped start the town's first industries. Cardiff used to be the main place for mining in Harford County. Today, most of the mines and quarries have closed down. The community has now become a center for farming.
Cardiff's Unique "Green Marble"
A geologist named Jeri Jones shared some interesting facts about Cardiff's history. He explained that the Cardiff Marble Company was very important. This company was famous for a special rock called "Green Marble." Geologists call this rock serpentinite. It's a greenish rock that formed deep inside the Earth.
The company first used its quarry to get rocks for building roads. But in 1913, a powerful blast uncovered a piece of this beautiful serpentinite. They sent the rock to Baltimore to be polished. Everyone realized they had found a new and valuable resource!
The quarry then changed its equipment to focus on this special rock. The mining operation grew quickly. By the early 1970s, the mine shaft was over 300 feet deep. It had many tunnels at different levels. Huge blocks of the serpentinite were lifted out using ropes and pulleys. These blocks were then cut into smaller pieces in nearby buildings.
What Was Green Marble Used For?
The "Green Marble" from Cardiff was used for many decorative things. It became part of fancy stone designs, lamp bases, and table tops. It was also used for fireplaces and desk ornaments. You can even find this rock in famous buildings! It was used in the Empire State Building in New York City. It's also in the Department of Highways Building in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. The bottom parts of the walls in City Hall in York, Pennsylvania, also feature this unique stone. Plus, it was used in many government buildings in Washington, D.C.
Cardiff's Historic Recognition
Cardiff was once home to Slate Ridge Elementary School. This school closed in the early 1980s. The building is now used as apartments.
The town of Cardiff is part of the Whiteford-Cardiff Historic District. This district was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2005. The town and its historic district are known for their strong Welsh heritage. This means many people from Wales settled here. This heritage is why the town is named Cardiff, just like the capital of Wales. You can also see it in the local buildings. There's even a famous Welsh language choir nearby!
