Zekiah Swamp facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Zekiah Swamp Natural Environment Area
Zekiah Swamp Natural Environment Area Location in Maryland
Location	Charles County, Maryland, United States
Area	450 acres (180 ha)
Elevation	3 ft (0.91 m)
Named for	Zekiah Swamp
Governing body	Maryland Department of Natural Resources
Website	Charles County Greenways

The Zekiah Swamp is a large wetland area in Charles County, Maryland, in the United States. It is part of the Potomac River system. This swamp stretches for about 21 miles (34 km) through Charles County. It is a type of river system called a braided stream, meaning it has many small, winding channels.

The swamp sits at a low elevation, only about 3 feet (0.91 m) above sea level. A part of its southern end, covering 450 acres (1.8 km²), is protected as the Zekiah Swamp Natural Environment Area. The Maryland Department of Natural Resources plans to buy even more land, up to 5,000 acres (20 km²), to expand this protected area. Charles County also wants to protect an additional 65,000 acres (260 km²) of this important wetland. The very start of the swamp is already protected within Cedarville State Forest. The swamp was first mapped accurately in 1835 by John Henry Alexander, who was Maryland's official mapmaker. He called it "Allen's Fresh."

Exploring Zekiah Swamp's Past

Maryland became an English colony in 1634. It was one of the first Thirteen Colonies in America. Cecilius Calvert, 2nd Baron Baltimore created Maryland as a safe place for Roman Catholic people from England. Today, Zekiah Swamp is mostly thick woods and very wet. But long ago, during the colonial period, it was a busy place for the growing colony.

Early Buildings and Settlements

A courthouse was built in the swamp area in 1674 at a place called Moore's Lodge. This building was used as the Charles County courthouse until 1727. After that, the county government moved to Port Tobacco. Old maps even show a drawing of what the courthouse looked like. This drawing helped historians know its appearance, even before they found its exact location.

Zekiah Swamp

Colonial Governor's Home

Charles Calvert, 3rd Baron Baltimore, who was the son of Maryland's founder, built a home in the swamp area in 1674. He called his home His Lordship's Favor. It was meant to be a summer house and a quiet place away from his political rivals. He wanted to build a brick house, which was unusual for colonists at the time. Most homes were made of wood. He ended up building a wooden home but did manage to include a brick chimney.

Archaeologists believe they have found the spot where his home was. However, they haven't found any old items from the 1670s there. Some people think Calvert might never have actually lived in the house. Charles Calvert had to leave Maryland in 1684 because of problems between colonists from Virginia and Maryland.

Protecting Native Americans

In 2011, archaeologists found the location of a fort built in 1680. This fort was made to protect the "friendly" Piscataway Indians from another group, the Susquehannock. The Piscataway people lived at this fort for about 12 years. During that time, they had a good relationship with the English colonists.

A Famous Escape Route

After a major historical event in April 1865, John Wilkes Booth fled to southern Maryland. He headed towards Zekiah Swamp. Booth entered the swamp after a doctor treated his broken leg. A local tobacco farmer helped Booth and his friend, David Herold, travel through the swamp. They went to the home of Samuel Cox, who supported the Confederate side during the American Civil War. Cox then helped them find Thomas A. Jones, who guided them the rest of the way through Zekiah Swamp and across the Potomac River into Virginia.

Understanding Zekiah Swamp's Environment

Zekiah Swamp is considered a greenway. Greenways are often long, thin areas of natural land. They are usually surrounded by cities, towns, or farms. As a branch of the Potomac River, the swamp is 21 miles (34 km) long and has many braided streams.

Where the Swamp Begins

The main stream of Zekiah Swamp, called Zekiah Swamp Run, starts in Cedarville State Forest. This forest is near the border between Charles County and Prince George's County. The stream flows through some private land that has not been developed. Finally, it reaches the Zekiah Swamp Natural Environment Area, where it flows into the Wicomico River.

Maryland's Natural Beauty

Maryland has many different natural places. These include sandy beaches, saltwater areas where rivers meet the sea (estuaries), flat coastal plains, and even parts of the Appalachian Mountains. Before Europeans settled here, about 95% of Maryland was covered in forests. The other 5% was made up of wet marshlands. Sadly, most of these forests and marshes have been destroyed by new buildings and farms.

The Zekiah Swamp Natural Environment Area is one of the few places in Charles County that remains mostly untouched. Both the Maryland state government and the Charles County government are working to protect the entire swamp.

Why the Swamp is Important

Zekiah Swamp is the largest hardwood swamp in Maryland. The Smithsonian Institution believes it is one of the "most important ecological areas on the East Coast." The plants in the swamp help to absorb much of the water that runs off the land. This process slows down or prevents dirt and pollution from building up in the Potomac River and Chesapeake Bay. Protecting the swamp's plant life is very important for keeping these waters clean.

Enjoying Zekiah Swamp's Outdoors

The Maryland Department of Natural Resources owns most of the Zekiah Swamp Natural Environment Area. However, it is not set up for many visitors. This means there are no paved roads to get in, no parking lots, and no special spots to view the scenery. You also won't find marked trails, picnic areas, campsites, or visitor centers.

Limited Access for Exploration

Even though it's not set up for recreation, you can still visit the swamp in a limited way. The U.S. National Park Service, which manages the Potomac Heritage National Scenic Trail, explains how to get there. You can find access near the intersection of U.S. Highway 301 and SR 234 (Budds Creek Road).

If you travel east on SR 234 from that intersection, you will reach Penn's Hill Road/Allen’s Fresh Road. If you follow Allen's Fresh Road south for about 23.2 miles, you'll find a dirt road on the west side. This road goes through the swamp and woods to Allen's Fresh Run of the Wicomico River. You can drive or walk on this road. You can also stop briefly along the side of SR 234 where it goes through the Natural Environment Area to look around or take photos. Similar opportunities exist to the north on SR 6 (Charles Street), which runs between La Plata and Charlotte Hall.

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  Zekiah Swamp