Elk Ridge (Maryland) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Elk Ridge |
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Elk Ridge as seen from across the Potomac River atop Short Hill Mountain
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| Highest point | |
| Elevation | 1,476 ft (450 m) |
| Prominence | 700 ft (210 m) |
| Geography | |
| Location | Washington County, Maryland, U.S. |
| Parent range | Blue Ridge Mountains |
| Topo map | USGS Harpers Ferry |
| Climbing | |
| Easiest route | Hike |
Elk Ridge, also called Elk Mountain, is a mountain ridge in Maryland. It is part of the Blue Ridge Mountains. This ridge is the westernmost of four parallel ridges in the area.
Elk Ridge forms the western side of a narrow valley. Towns like Yarrowsburg and Brownsville are in this valley. South Mountain runs on the eastern side, parallel to Elk Ridge.
The ridge stretches from Rohrersville in the north. It goes all the way to the Potomac River in the south. This is across from Harpers Ferry, West Virginia. On the other side of the Potomac, the ridge continues into Virginia and West Virginia. To the west of Elk Mountain is the wider Cumberland Valley. Here you can find towns like Hagerstown. The southern end of Elk Ridge is called Maryland Heights. It is part of Harpers Ferry National Historical Park.
Contents
History of Elk Ridge
Early Industry
In the early 1800s, Elk Ridge was busy with charcoal production. Workers built over 50 charcoal hearths between 1810 and 1840. These hearths turned wood from the mountain into charcoal. This charcoal was then used by nearby iron furnaces.
Civil War on Maryland Heights
The southern part of Elk Ridge, known as Maryland Heights, played a big role in the American Civil War.
Union soldiers first built artillery posts and forts here in 1862. This was during Stonewall Jackson's Valley Campaign. Later that year, during the Battle of Harpers Ferry, Confederate forces attacked these Union forts. General Lafayette McLaws led the attack. His troops took control of the ridge. From there, they fired cannons down on the Union soldiers in Harpers Ferry.
After the battle, Confederate forces left the ridge. They went to join the Army of Northern Virginia at Antietam. The Union army quickly took back control of Maryland Heights.
Lincoln's Visit
After the Battle of Antietam, Abraham Lincoln visited Maryland. He came to see the Union army, including the soldiers on Maryland Heights. He started to climb the steep mountain. But he turned back halfway up. He decided that any soldier who could make that climb was strong enough for his army.
In June 1863, Union forces again controlled the ridge. They made the forts even bigger. This was in response to the Confederate invasion of Maryland during the Gettysburg Campaign.
Fun Activities on Elk Ridge
The National Park Service takes care of a system of trails on Maryland Heights. These trails let you explore the old Civil War forts. You can also reach cliffs that offer amazing views of Harpers Ferry. You can also see the Potomac Water Gap from here.
There is also a trail that goes along the ridge. It leads to Buggy Rocks. From here, you can see Pleasant Valley to the east. The National Park Service allows mountain climbing on the Maryland Heights cliffs.
