The Civil War Veterans Walkway To Glory At Antietam

The Civil War Veterans Walkway To Glory At Antietam. Dedicated July 2, 1994. , From an era all but forgotten, here lies a reconstructed section of the tree-lined walkway which once extended on both sides of the highway from Antietam Station, 100 yards to your right, to the National Cemetery, 1.3 miles to your left. These are actually sections of the original hand quarried slate curbing that were positioned in 1888. The tree is a sugar maple similar to the original Norway maples that were planted in 1888., These original trees were furnished by the returning veterans of the Battle of Antietam or Sharpsburg both Blue and Gray. Old Soldiers, returning via the Norfolk and Western Railroad for the various reunions and dedications honoring Civil War Veterans, soon became tired of the long walk to the Cemetery in the mud and relentless sun. They took up a collection and paid for the trees which were planted by the State of Maryland. For their comfort, an eight foot gravel walkway was laid on both sides of what was then known as Government Boulevard, with the trees being planted at thirty foot intervals down the center of each walkway., This beautiful and enduring "Arch of Maples" with its attendant walks and curbing still grace Sharpsburg today. Although most of the walkways and pavements have been changed and modernized, dozens of these hand hewn slate curbstones are still visible along Sharpsburg's Main Street. The most finished pieces of the slate were cemented on top of the walls that extend down the hill from the Cemetery. The original Norway maples, having a life span of approximately 100 years, are gradually being replaced by sugar maples.