Pen Mar Park facts for kids
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Pen Mar Park is a beautiful place in Pen Mar, Washington County, Maryland. It sits on High Rock Road, right next to the Mason–Dixon line. This area became a popular amusement park and resort in 1877. The Western Maryland Railway (WM) opened it.
During the summer, the railway ran special trains. Their "Blue Mountain Express" brought many visitors from Baltimore to Pen Mar. Trains also came from Hagerstown, Maryland.
A Popular Getaway
By the early 1900s, Pen Mar was one of the most popular vacation spots. It attracted people from all over the eastern United States. On weekdays in summer, about 4,000 to 5,000 people would visit. Sometimes, nearly 20,000 people came in a single day!
Many hotels and over 100 boarding houses were built. They helped house all the visitors to Pen Mar. A famous hotel was the Blue Mountain House. The Western Maryland Railway built it in 1883. It could host up to 400 guests at a time.
Park Attractions and Closure
The park offered many fun things to do. It had a thrilling roller coaster and a classic carousel. There was also a miniature train and its own station. Visitors could eat in a large dining hall that seated 450 people. A big dance pavilion was also a favorite spot.
The Western Maryland Railway sold the park in 1930. Sadly, the park closed completely in 1943.
Pen Mar Park Today
Good news came in 1977 when the park reopened! It became a county park for everyone to enjoy. In 1980, people from both Pennsylvania and Maryland worked together. They raised money to build a new public pavilion. This new building stands where the old dance pavilion used to be.
Today, the county hosts dance concerts there. Live music fills the pavilion in spring, summer, and fall. The park also has other fun recreation areas. The famous Appalachian Trail passes right through the area.
Nearby, you can visit High Rock Summit. It is part of South Mountain State Park. This summit is about 1,800 feet (549 meters) high. It offers amazing views from the top of Quirauk Mountain.
