M aryland Bywa ys eated and is fice yland Of ourism. This publication was cr distributed in partnership with the Federal Highway Administration, the Maryland State Highway Administration and the Mar of T the state’s most spectacular scenery, I am proud that three of Maryland’s picturesque towns and landscapes that scenic byways have earned the highest are woven into the fabric of our nation’s distinction by being named into the history. Choose from 19 unique byways collection of America’s Byways. This that touch every corner of our state and designation recognizes these routes for let you experience our state’s scenic their scenic, cultural and historic beauty, history and culture. significance. The three impressive routes will take you to Chesapeake Country, or Among the itineraries is a byway leading out to Western Maryland on the Historic Dear Traveler, to the mouth of the Patuxent River where National Road and through the Catoctin In today’s fast-paced lifestyle, we often an historic water battle took place, which Mountains. don’t have the time to take the road less leads you to where the red glare of traveled to reach our destinations. The rockets cascaded over Fort McHenry, Whatever route you choose, I encourage Maryland Scenic Byways Guidebook and inspiring Francis Scott Key to pen our you to take advantage of Maryland’s Map is designed to steer you away from National Anthem. Other byways will take outstanding scenery and enjoy the ride Maryland’s interstates and highways to you to St. Mary’s City, Maryland’s first on Maryland’s byways. an exciting network of scenic byways just capital, where tolerance was integral to brimming with antique rows, early- its founding, and to the farms and trails Sincerely, morning farmers’ markets, wineries and a on the Eastern Shore where the daring host of historic sites and attractions. Harriet Tubman led courageous enslaved people to freedom. Maryland’s network of byways has been Martin O’Malley created to take you, our guest, through Governor 1 Introduction ...................................................... 3 National Historic Seaport .......................................... 97 Byways ...................................................... 7-161 Star-Spangled Banner .............................................. 105 Historic National Road.................................................. 7 Booth’s Escape .......................................................... 115 Mountain Maryland.................................................... 19 Roots and Tides ........................................................ 121 Chesapeake and Ohio Canal ...................................... 27 Religious Freedom Tour............................................ 129 Antietam Campaign .................................................. 39 Chesapeake Country ................................................ 139 Catoctin Mountain...................................................... 47 Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad .................. 153 Old Main Streets ........................................................ 55 Blue Crab .................................................................. 161 Mason and Dixon........................................................ 63 Destination Marketing Organizations ........ 171 Falls Road .................................................................... 71 Heritage Sites................................................ 172 Horses and Hounds .................................................... 77 Acknowlegements/Photography Credits.... 174 Lower Susquehanna .................................................. 83 Charles Street .............................................................. 89 Index ............................................................ 175 2 Historic National Road Charles Street Maryland has designated 19 byways that encompass 2,487 miles of beau- Mountain Maryland National Historic Seaport tiful roads, which offer a taste of Maryland’s scenic beauty, history and Chesapeake and Ohio culture. Take the roads less traveled Historic National Road Star-Spangled Banner including four entirely new byways Canal Two centuries ago, the easiest way for featuring nationally significant settlers to cross the Appalachian Mountains and Antietam Campaign Booth’s Escape themes: the Star-Spangled Banner, go west was on the dirt and cobblestone-covered Antietam Campaign, Booth’s Escape National Road, America’s first federally funded highway. and the Mason and Dixon byways. Catoctin Mountain Roots and Tides The National Road began in 1806 to open trade and AMERICA’S BYWAYS communication with the growing frontier in the Religious Freedom Tour Old Main Streets America’s Byways® are a collection of Ohio River Valley. Today you can travel Maryland’s routes recognized by the U.S. portion of this road from Baltimore to Western Maryland, stopping to enjoy the inns, taverns and Mason and Dixon Chesapeake Country Secretary of Transportation as the most significant routes throughout shops that have survived from the road’s heyday. Harriet Tubman the country, based on their scenery, Falls Road Underground Railroad Catoctin Mountain culture, history, archaeology, and The hardwood forests encircling Catoctin Mountain are a natural recreational opportunities. Follow a Blue Crab wonderment, serving as a sanctuary for plants and wildlife, and Horses and Hounds Maryland Byway that has earned this surrounding towns offer a deep exploration of the area’s rich industrial national distinction: Lower Susquehanna heritage. 5 The mountain’s old paths and roads MARYLAND’S HERITAGE AREAS trace a variety of traditional Appalachian entrepreneurial endeav- A Rich Heritage ors, including farms, sawmills and the The byways are a great avenue to making of moonshine. Travelers today explore Maryland’s Heritage Areas. enjoy miles of hiking and biking trails While traveling along Maryland’s and views of Cunningham Falls. Byways, you’ll uncover rich historical and cultural heritage throughout 11 Maryland Heritage Areas. Historic Chesapeake Country preservation goes hand in hand with Explore the Chesapeake landscape protecting and promoting our state’s that has shaped its watermen natural beauty within the Heritage lifestyle. Your journey takes you past Areas. In each area, citizens have put fertile farmland graced by handsome forth effort to ensure that the jour- – often historic – manor houses. You neys you take with this guide are his- enter small historic waterfront villages torically and culturally unforgettable rich with art, culture and pure coun- for years to come. try charm, and then slip through secluded spots surrounded by unspoiled nature. Pristine waterways and relaxing bay vistas are a treat for the senses. 6 Two centuries ago, the easiest way Vandalia, Illinois. Soon after, however, for thousands of settlers to cross the the sight of train tracks signaled a Appalachian Mountains and go west shift in transportation priorities. was on the dirt, macadam and cob- 170 miles from blestone-covered National Road, Today’s adventurers enjoy traveling Baltimore to America’s first federally funded high- 170 miles along Maryland’s portion of Pennsylvania Line way. Horse-drawn Conestoga wagons this All-American Road, seeing the lugged building materials and sup- highway as it progressed west (rather plies, while families rode stagecoach- than following the eastward course es and carriages, stopping frequently of most other byways in this guide). along the way to take advantage of While passing through cozy towns friendly towns that quickly sprouted featuring attractions, eateries and inns, taverns, blacksmith shops and accommodations that hearken back wagon yards. to the road’s earliest days, feel free to romanticize about life as it was for Two centuries ago, Congress approved funding for the those first, rugged pioneers. the easiest way for thousands interstate highway in 1806 to open of settlers to cross the up trade and communication with the The Historic National Road also passes growing frontier in the Ohio River through three Maryland Heritage Appalachian Mountains and go Valley, but four decades of hard labor Areas: Baltimore City, Heart of Civil west was on the dirt, macadam were required to complete the project War (in Frederick) and Canal Place (in and cobblestone-covered from Baltimore all the way through to Cumberland). National Road 8 9 Baltimore to Frederick – Lombard Street, MD 144, MD 27 & MD 144 The Baltimore to Cumberland portion of the road, designated the Baltimore National Pike, begins at water’s edge in the Inner Harbor area, where you are also linked to the Charles Street and National Historic Seaport byways (pages 89 and 97, respectively). Follow Lombard Street west and stop at the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad Museum, located at the site of the oldest railroad station in the country. Pass through several historic neighborhoods, including Union Square, which journalist H.L. Mencken called home. While leaving Baltimore, you pass many National Pike-era hotels, taverns and warehouses before crossing the Gwynns Falls Greenway, which is an excursion through natural landscapes and historical landmarks on a 14-mile paved hike and bike trail. West of the city along MD 144 (Frederick Road) is the National Historic District of Catonsville, which was developed in 1810 and became a hot spot for summer homes when linked to downtown Baltimore by electric trolley lines. Before crossing the Patapsco River, drive through the town of Oella, which still contains old stone and brick