Near Bolivar in Frederick County, Maryland — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)

John Collins

By Craig Swain, June 9, 2007

1. John Collins Marker

Inscription. Native of Frederick County, skilled hunter and a superintendent of provisions with the Lewis and Clark expedition, John Collins was the first Marylander to cross the North American continent. Meriwether Lewis and William Clark were charged by Thomas Jefferson to lead an expedition to find a water route to the Pacific. From 1804 to 1806 the Corps of Discovery traveled 8,000 miles as they documented their encounters with inhabitants, identified natural resources and mapped the interior of western North America.

Erected by Maryland Historical Trust and Maryland State Highway Administration.

Marker series. This marker is included in the Lewis & Clark Expedition marker series.

Location. 39° 29.091′ N, 77° 37.207′ W. Marker is near Bolivar, Maryland, in Frederick County. Marker is at the intersection of Old National Road (Alternate U.S. 40) and Washington Monument Road, on the right when traveling west on Old National Road. Touch for map. Located at a pull off from the Washington Monument Road, along side the Old National Road. Across the highway from the Old South Mountain Inn. Very close to the Frederick and Washington County line. The Appalachian Trail passes a few feet from the marker.

South Mountain Markers in the Pulloff image. Click for full size.

By Craig Swain, June 9, 2007

2. South Mountain Markers in the Pulloff

The John Collins marker is in front of the War Department tablets, closest to the road.

Marker is in this post office area: Middletown MD 21769, United States of America.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Maryland Campaign of 1862 / The Lost Orders (a few steps from this marker); Battle at South Mountain (within shouting distance of this marker); 1862 Antietam Campaign (within shouting distance of this marker); 19th Century Backpacker (within shouting distance of this marker); Turner's Pass Tablet T. P. 1 (within shouting distance of this marker); Turner's Pass Tablet T. P. 2 (within shouting distance of this marker); Turner's Pass Tablet T. P. 3 (within shouting distance of this marker); Turner's Pass Tablet T. P. 4 (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Bolivar.

Also see . . .
1. Short Biographical Sketch of John Collins. (Submitted on July 9, 2007, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia.)
2. A more detailed biographical essay. What the marker leaves out is John Collin's courts marshal and his beer making activities. (Submitted on July 9, 2007, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia.)

3. Comparison of Courts Marshall on the Journey. John Collins had two infractions, receiving a total of 150 lashes. The site also has background information about the Lewis and Clark trail. (Submitted on July 9, 2007, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia.)

Categories. • Exploration • Notable Persons • Settlements & Settlers •

Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. This page originally submitted on July 9, 2007, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. This page has been viewed 1,952 times since then and 3 times this year. Last updated on July 29, 2007, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on July 9, 2007, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. • J. J. Prats was the editor who published this page.