Paddling Through History: Civil War Landmarks from the Water

When you glide across the Potomac River, it’s easy to get lost in the peaceful rhythm of the paddle strokes. But just beyond the tree-lined banks and towpaths lies a complex history, one that shaped the nation and divided communities on either side of the water.

The Potomac near Frederick County, Maryland, wasn’t just a scenic waterway in the 1860s. It was a strategic boundary, a transport corridor, and a front-row seat to the American Civil War.

Here’s how you can paddle through history—literally—by exploring Civil War-era landmarks from the water:

📍 1. Point of Rocks, Maryland

Where to launch: Point of Rocks Boat Ramp

Once a quiet canal town, Point of Rocks became a strategic crossing point and flashpoint during the war. The railroad bridge, repeatedly destroyed and rebuilt by Union forces, was critical for troop and supply movements.

Paddle Tip: Look up at the historic railroad bridge while on the water, it’s still in use today, and the bluffs behind it were once the site of skirmishes between Confederate raiders and Union guards.

📍 2. Brunswick, Maryland (Formerly Berlin)

Where to launch: Brunswick Family Campground

Brunswick was a bustling canal town and rail hub, playing a key role in troop transport. The C&O Canal and the B&O Railroad made this area a military asset for the Union Army.

Paddle Tip: Follow the canal route from the water. You’re tracing the same paths where Union troops camped, moved supplies, and defended the rail lines.

📍 3. Nolands Ferry

Where to launch: Nolands Ferry public access

This ferry crossing was used by Confederate troops during raids into Maryland. One of the most infamous was the 1864 Jubal Early Raid, where Confederate forces crossed into Maryland to pressure the North and threaten Washington, D.C.

Paddle Tip: This quiet stretch of river masks its past. Look toward the old ferry road on the Maryland side, it was once a route for soldiers, spies, and enslaved people seeking freedom.

📍 4. Monocacy River Confluence

Where to launch: Mouth of Monocacy (off the Potomac)

The nearby Battle of Monocacy (fought July 9, 1864) was called “The Battle That Saved Washington.” Though the river itself wasn’t the main battlefield, its proximity made it a defensive line, and Union troops used river routes to move into position.

Paddle Tip: Paddle up the Monocacy for a change of scenery and imagine the logistics of war happening just over the banks.

📍 5. Harpers Ferry (Bonus if You’re Up for a Shuttle due to some rocky obstacles… where advanced kayakers always wear their helmets)

Launch or take-out nearby: Brunswick or Harpers Ferry (requires vehicle shuttle)

Though not in Frederick County, Harpers Ferry is the Civil War crossroads of America. Located where the Potomac and Shenandoah Rivers meet, it was the site of John Brown’s 1859 raid and changed hands eight times during the Civil War.

Paddle Tip: This area is Class II whitewater, so it’s only for experienced paddlers or guided trips. But the historical weight of the place is unmatched.

🧭 Paddle with Perspective

As you explore these waterways today, it’s humbling to realize they were once packed with troops, refugees, scouts, and prisoners of war. The river was both a lifeline and a line of division.

Take a moment during your next paddle to look beyond the trees and think about the people who moved through these same waters, under vastly different circumstances.

📚 Resources to Dive Deeper

• C&O Canal National Historical Park: https://www.nps.gov/choh

• Civil War Trails Program: https://civilwartrails.org

• “The Potomac: A History of the River” by Frederick Tilberg (NPS archive)

🛶 Paddle Challenge

Tag @SUPFrederick or use #HistoryFromTheBoard when you visit one of these sites by paddle. We’ll feature your photos in an upcoming post!

History rich!