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What made our trip up to this area even more special
(other than being with Jim & Lynne of jtmlam59) was an unanticipated
coincidence. Without really planning it,
this trail opened on the same weekend as most of Washington County Maryland was
having a major reenactment weekend. Not
only did we get to tour a really gorgeous part of Maryland we also got to visit
numerous historical sites with characters of all sorts manning each and every
site, dressed in uniforms, dresses, etc of the 1860's. Everywhere we went we were approached by
ladies or soldiers offering assistance and ready to answer any and all
questions we had. Thank goodness the
temperatures were in the lower 70's as I cannot imagine being in those wool uniforms
of huge southern dresses if the temperatures had been in the 80's or 90's.
Among the places we visited while qualifying for the
Geocoin were:
Field Hospital (Pry House) [GC4EFXE] - served dual roles during and after the bloody
battle at Antietam in September of 1862.
It served both as headquarters for Union Commanding General George
McClellan and Union Medical Director Dr. Jonathan Letterman. Antietam would be McClellan's last battle
command, reflected in his timid and piecemeal approach to Bobby Lee. To Letterman's eternal credit, Antietam, and
the Pry House, is arguably the birthplace of modern battlefield and emergency
medicine. It is thus appropriate that
the Site, while associated with Little Mac, is today the Pry House Field
Hospital Museum, a sub-site of the National Museum of Civil War Medicine.
Doubleday Hill [GC4EFW3] - In 1861 Civil War times, Union
Major Abner Doubleday led the former Fort Sumter Battery E, 1st U.S. Artillery
to Williamsport to guard the vulnerable Potomac River crossings. It was there
that he built a battery at the edge of a piece of land that was, and remains
the town's cemetery. It was also the highest point in Williamsport. Three siege
guns were installed and Doubleday's men held the position for several months.
Devils Backbone Park [GC4EFW1] - Opened to the public in
June of 1966, Devil's Backbone is the second oldest of Washington County's
parks. The nine acre park includes a footbridge across the Antietam Creek,
which divides the park, providing access to the"island" section of
the park as well as to a nature trail which ascends to the summit of the ridge
from which the park takes its names.
City Park Railroad Museum [GC4EFXZ] - Tucked away in a
back corner of Hagerstown City Park, Engine#202 sits on steel rails at the City
Park Railroad Museum. A 'Pacific' model, 4-6-2 combination, built by the
Baldwin Locomotive Works in Philadelphia, old #202 is kept company by a number
of red cabooses, re-claimed and re-built trackside signals, and an active rail
line just beyond the back boundary of the Park. Unlike many of her steam
contemporaries, #202 did not burn coal or wood. Her tender was a tank car that
carried petroleum distillates; #202 was an 'oil burner.'
Byron Memorial Park [GC4EFY0] - one of the loveliest parks
in Washington County. The park is the home Concococheague Little League, the
Williamsport Pool & Community Center, the local Boy Scout Troop, and
Williamsport Library.
Bowman House [GC4EFVK] - the Bowman House is a two-story
log structure typical of many log dwellings of the early 1800's. It is
described as L-shaped, the main body being 28 feet in width and 21 in depth.
The kitchen wing measures 21 by 12. Typical also is the hewed V-notch
construction which is readily visible at the exterior corners.
Beaver Creek School [GC4EFVB] - is an historic two-room
schoolhouse dating to 1904. The school was in operation until 1961 at which
time ownership of the schoolhouse was passed on to the Washington County
Historical Society.
Give 'Em All Three Barrels [GC4EFVT] - This multi-cache
is located in small but well-situated Shafer Park in Boonsboro. The short
stroll-about encompasses the founders, a time capsule, and artifacts of several
American Wars. The posted coordinates
lead to the first of three historical monuments.
M3A1 "STUART" [GC4EFWD] - Placed with
permission of the Funkstown American Legion, there is plenty of parking on
site. This site memorializes those who
have served this county in uniform and those in uniform who made the ultimate
sacrifice with their lives.
Rose Hill Cemetery [GC4EFXJ] - Founded in 1865, Rose Hill
Cemetery was the first place where local residents could be buried regardless
of their race or religious preferences. Many who were interred in family or
church plots were moved and re-interred at Rose Hill. The names on the
gravestones in the cemetery are a 'who's who' of Washington County history.
Among the thousands that rest here are senators, congressmen, governors and
nearly 2500 Confederate soldiers who were killed at the Battles of Antietam and
South Mountain. Rose Hill has thousands of artistic and historic statuary and
markers. The "Statue of Hope," the "Sacred Heart" and a
marker for the dog Rollo are several of the many unusual statuary to be found
there.
Wash. Monument St. Pk. [GC4EFXW] - Located atop scenic
South Mountain, Washington Monument State Park is named for the first completed
monument dedicated to the memory of the country's first president - George
Washington. The Washington Monument is a rugged stone tower that was initially erected
by the citizens of Boonsboro.
This has got to be one of our favorite geocaching
trips. The groups that coordinated in
getting these caches in place did a fantastic job. Plenty of historic sites to visit and the
scenery is fantastic!!! We will definitely
be back not only to finish the rest of the geotrail, but also just to spend
more time at some of the sites along the way.
Thanks again (to all) for putting this geotrail
together!!!
As Always - Stay Safe & Keep Caching!!!
SNAP!!! - Suffolk Nana & Papa
:)
