Maryland's Lower Susquehanna River Valley: Where the River Meets the Bay

by David A. Berry

Overview

The Susquehannocks navigated its flats, Captain John Smith made camp on its islands and George Washington crossed its wide waters. The Susquehanna River Valley opens where the mighty Susquehanna meets the Chesapeake Bay, revealing a land of astonishing beauty and storied history. From John O'Neill's valiant defense of Havre de Grace in the War of 1812 to the arrivals of the B&O Railroad, Aberdeen Proving Ground, and Conawingo Dam, the region has witnessed greatness and change in equal measure. David Berry takes his readers to a place where history lives alongside such beloved pastimes as sailing, fishing, decoy carving, and thoroughbred racing. With wit and a deft hand, Berry captures the essence of the Susquehanna River Valley's charm.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781596296534
Publisher:	Arcadia Publishing SC
Publication date:	05/11/2009
Series:	American Chronicles
Pages:	128
Sales rank:	1,115,215
Product dimensions:	5.90(w) x 8.90(h) x 0.40(d)

About the Author

David Berry is a long-time resident of Havre de Grace, and he is an active member of the local maritime community. His first book, Maryland Skipjacks, was published by Arcadia in May 2008. He has published numerous articles in Sailing magazine, and he writes a twice-monthly sailing column for The Mariner. Mr. Berry's experience extends beyond the page. He sails on the historic skipjack, the Martha Lewis, works as a charter captain, and gives sailing lessons. He is affiliated with the Havre de Grace Duck Decoy Museum, the Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum, and the Chesapeake Bay Foundation. His intimate knowledge of the coastal communities of the Chesapeake Bay and the Susquehanna River make him an ideal author for this region.

Table of Contents

Preface 7

The Susquehanna River 9

True Natives 17

Captain John Smith 21

First Settlements 25

Beautiful Harbor 30

Boomtown 39

A Veteran's Railroad Town 48

Revolution Crosses the Susquehanna River 58

1812 60

A State Divided 63

The U.S. Navy Comes to the Valley 66

Sounds Across the Water 71

Where There's Water, There Are Boats 75

Up and Down the River 80

The Railroads Arrive (and So Do the Bridges) 83

Wood, Rock and Coal 93

Electricity and Wildlife 100

Wooden Ducks and Slippery Fish 107

Horse Sense 114

Touching History 118

The River in the Twenty-first Century 121

Bibliography 125

About the Author 127