Mount Savage is an unincorporated community and census-designated place (CDP) in Allegany County, Maryland, United States.

It began as a small farming settlement in the mid-19th century, but it was not until 1844 that the region was put on the nation's map with the pressing of the first iron rail in the United States.

In addition to the rail businesses, Mount Savage attracted a foundry, two brick refractories, and several local merchants.

It was a cultural melting pot attracting English businessmen and Irish, Scottish, Welsh, Italian, and German workers.

[8]: 1  The Arnold family settled northeast of the current town, along a Native American trail which was later known as "Turkey Foot Road".

[9] The Arnold family eventually owned most of the land of the present-day Mount Savage, Archibald sometimes purchasing 1,000 acres (4.0 km2) at a time.

[7] In the early 19th century Mount Savage was primarily a self-sufficient farming community with no real need to embark onto enterprises with neighboring towns or industries.

[8]: 3  The Mount Savage works was the only company in America to manufacture heavy railroad iron at that time.

With the flourishing industry upon Mount Savage, clay, brick, coal and locomotives were also being manufactured and transported to neighboring towns and states by way of the new railroad system.

[12] The brick works continued to operate successfully and became the principal industry in the town through the late 20th century.

[16] Mount Savage is located at an elevation of 1,234 feet (376 m) in the valley of Jennings Run in western Allegany County.

Sampson Rock, the 2,934-foot (894 m) summit of Big Savage Mountain, rises 2 miles (3 km) to the west of the village.