Near Berlin in Worcester County, Maryland — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Wild and Free
Assateague Beach Trail
| | Assateague State Park | |
"She belongs to the world of men, but I belong to the Isle of the wild things."
Marguerite Henry, Misty of the Chincoteague
History Mystery
We know horses appeared on Assateague Island in the 1600's, but what still remains a mystery is how?
Abandoned Farm Animals?
History says the island during colonial times had no tax for livestock so farmers would put their animals to graze on the island for free, eventually only the horses remained.
Ship Wrecked Survivors?
Legend says a storm sunk the ship La Galga off the coast of Assateague and the horses swam to the shore, the only survivors. Research shows the shipwreck is true though whether horses were on board is a mystery.
Where are all the horses?
The horses on the island are free to roam from the northern tip near Ocean City inlet to our southern boundary at the Virginia state line. Oftentimes they are found out in the marsh where there is plenty of food and cool bay waters. If they do happen upon the beach it usually means it is hot or winds are coming out of the west and horses find relief from biting insects that are being blown onto the island. Always keep a safe distance from the wild horses, at least 10 feet away. If they approach you, move
this page online
Erected by Maryland Department of Natural Resources.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Agriculture • Animals • Colonial Era • Disasters • Waterways & Vessels.
Location. 38° 14.151′ N, 75° 8.255′ W. Marker is near Berlin, Maryland, in Worcester County. It is on Stephen Decatur Highway 0.1 miles south of Verrazano Bridge (Maryland Route 611), on the left when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 7307 Stephen Decatur Hwy, Berlin MD 21811, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is on the Eastern Shore. It is also in the American Mid-Atlantic, on the Delmarva Peninsula, and in the Tidewater. Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region, North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once one of the original Thirteen Colonies and also the Antebellum South.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Peregrine Falcon Migration (within shouting distance of this marker); Stephen Tyng Mather (approx. 1.1 miles away); Verrazano Bridge (approx. 1.1 miles away); Berlin / Snow Hill / Wallops Flight Facility / Chincoteague (approx. 1.2 miles away); You're looking out over A Productive Nursery (approx. 1.2 miles away); Sheltered Waters (approx. 1.2 miles away); Caring for the Bay (approx. 1.2 miles away); The Wild Ponies (approx. 1.4 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Berlin.
Credits. This page was last revised on September 18, 2022. It was originally submitted on September 18, 2022, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 224 times since then and 10 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on September 18, 2022, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.
