Lower Susquehanna Heritage Greenway

 

 

The Lower Susquehanna Heritage Greenway is home to a  multi-use water and land recreational trail system that interprets our culture, history and natural environment.  Existing communities are linked to rural areas along 38 miles of pristine Susquehanna River shoreline reaching into the headwaters of the Chesapeake Bay.

 

 

The Experience

 

The Lower Susquehanna Heritage Area is an exciting detour along the bustling Washington - Philadelphia corridor where you can experience the best of Maryland in a day trip.   

 

 

A few miles off the beaten path, the traveler can view pre-historic sculpted rocks or petroglyphson the cliffs of Conowingo, trace the route of Captain John Smith at Garrett Island or the Native American fort of the Susquehannock Indians.    

 

Experience colonial life at Steppingstone Museum, or revisit our nations fight for Independence against the British troops of General Sir William Howe, share strategy sessions at Rodger’s Tavern between General George Washington and French Comte de Rochambeau, or visit the Colonial Troop Crossing at Bald Friar.  

 

At special events the war of 1812 comes alive with cannon fire from the British Royal Navy, and the march of Marquis de Lafayette.  Discover the spirit of the industrial revolution at Principo Iron Works or Stumps Furnace, and our rich maritime history at the homes of Commodore John Rodgers, Rear Admiral John Augustus Rodgers or General Montgomery Meigs. 

 

See the archaeological ruins of Tome School, and architectural structures of Quaker, Welsh, Dutch, Scottish, Irish, Italian and African settlements,  elaborate Georgian Plantations of Swan Harbor Farm or Donaldson Brown round out this experience.  Samples of the Victorian, Colonial, Federalist and Granite ages are readily visible along this route.

 

Travel along the Susquehanna or Tidewater canal, visit the Lockhouse, see rail systems that brought goods and service from the sea to an expanding frontier.  Walk along a trail or part of the Underground Railroad at Berkley or Shures Landing, paddle down Deer Creek or visit a Train Station that provided supplies to staged Union Troops, or even the Freedman’s School of Hosanna.  Ten local museums enhance your experience. 

 

While you are here, visit a working Grist Mill at Rock Run, the Deer Creek Friends Meeting house and the oldest continually working lighthouse in the country at Concord Point.  Catch a ball game at a Stadium built by Baseball legend Cal Ripken and stay in a town that fell a few votes short of becoming our nation's capital and was the venue of Triple Crown Winner, Citation’s, only loss. Other thoroughbred favorites such as Sir Barton, Man O’War, War Admiral and Seabiscuit also raced here at The Graw. 

 

Dine on local crabs, or world-class rockfish, and dredge for Oysters on the Skipjack Martha Lewis.  Honor our veterans at the US Army Ordinance Museum or the Bainbridge Naval Training Center.  Enjoy pristine woods along the mighty Susquehanna River where you may find the favorite gunning spot of J. P. Morgan, the DuPonts, or Senator Millard Tydings on the Susquehanna Flats, or simply take a quiet stroll along a Promenade on the magnificent Chesapeake Bay.

 

For the hands on crowd you may want to learn to how to build a canoe at the Chesapeake Wooden Boat Building School, or how to carve a decoy from Master Carver R. Madison Mitchell.

 

Those who prefer passive activities will enjoy the chance to spot bald eagles, osprey and canvasback ducks at the Conowingo Dam Overlook.

 

Lower Susquehanna Heritage Greenway
4948 Conowingo Road
Darlington, Maryland 21034
www.hitourtrails.com
410-457-2482 phone
410-457-2488 fax

 

 

Primary contact:  Mary Ann Lisanti, Executive Director   Mail@hitourtrails.com

 

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