The dam and building foundations seen here are the remains of the Sligo Creek Waterworks which served the town of Takoma from 1900 to 1930. At times, Silver Spring, Chevy Chase, Kensington, and Bethesda also received water from this plant until these expanding communities outgrew its capacity.The dam, a filtration plant and pumper at this location, together with a 140-foot water tower on Ethan Allen Avenue, comprised the complete waterworks. The town of Takoma sold the facility in 1919 to the Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission which operated it until its abandonment in 1930. During its thirty year history, the capacity of the plant increased from approximately 100,000 to 720,000 gallons daily.

The Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission Department of Parks