Near Snow Hill in Worcester County, Maryland — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
The Corduroy Road
Often used in the early centuries of settlement, a Corduroy Road was a series of small saw-logs laid side by side over areas difficult to traverse by foot or by wheel. Furnace Town Living Heritage Museum adapted that concept and adopted the name in this Corduroy Road, placed over the sandy and mole-ridden soil. This 1/4 mile long, 4 foot wide walkway allows those in wheelchairs, with walkers, in strollers and on foot to easily travel through the historic site and visit exhibits and buildings including the pavilion.
Designed by Furnace Town staff, the project began in the spring of 2004 with Americorps volunteers. In the summer of 2004, Paul Gordy, Furnace Town Board Member, volunteered to supervise the project, using labor from the Worcester County Correction Center's Work Release Program. Gordy provided transportation for the trustees, equipment to construct and install the 4' by 4' sections and worked more than 30 nine-hour days on the project. In September 2006, the project was completed after more than 1900 volunteer hours.
Funding for materials for the $12,500.00 project came from in-kind and cash donations: The Adkins Company of Berlin, Choptank Electric Cooperative, The Community Foundation of the Eastern Shore, Elzey Irrigation, The Worcester County Historical Society and Members of Furnace
this page online
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Charity & Public Work • Parks & Recreational Areas • Roads & Vehicles • Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical month for this entry is September 2006.
Location. 38° 12.249′ N, 75° 28.22′ W. Marker is near Snow Hill, Maryland, in Worcester County. It can be reached from the intersection of Millville Road and Old Furnace Road, on the left when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 3816 Old Furnace Rd, Snow Hill MD 21863, 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 walking distance of this marker: Glaser Woodworking Shop (here, next to this marker); Wagon Shed (a few steps from this marker); Harrison House/Spin House (a few steps from this marker); Adkins Barn/Blacksmith Shop (within shouting distance of this marker); Banks Broom House (within shouting distance of this marker); In Honor of Kathy Pierce Fisher (within shouting distance of this marker); American chestnut (within shouting distance of this marker); Pocomoke River Treasures (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Snow Hill.
Photographed by Devry Becker Jones (CC0), October 19, 2025
2. The Corduroy Road Marker
The photo is taken from the corduroy road.
Credits. This page was last revised on October 19, 2025. It was originally submitted on October 19, 2025, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 46 times since then and 12 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on October 19, 2025, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.
