Bel Alton in Charles County, Maryland — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
John Wilkes Booth and David Herold
March 10, 2007
1. John Wilkes Booth and David Herold Marker
Erected 1962 by Charles County Civil War Centennial Commission.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Government & Politics • Notable Events • War, US Civil. In addition, it is included in the Booth's Escape series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1865.
Location. 38° 27.777′ N, 76° 59.139′ W. Marker is in Bel Alton, Maryland, in Charles County. It is at the intersection of Bel Alton Newton Road and Wills Road, on the right when traveling north on Bel Alton Newton Road. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Bel Alton MD 20611, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in the Washington Metropolitan Area and in Southern Maryland. It is also in the American South, specifically in the Upper South, in the Mid-Atlantic, and in the Tidewater. Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region, North America, the Western
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Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Pine Thicket (a few steps from this marker); John Wilkes Booth (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); Bel Alton High School (approx. 0.8 miles away); a different marker also named Rich Hill (approx. 1.2 miles away); Rich Hill Through the Years (approx. 1.2 miles away); Rich Hill Farm in the 19th Century: Samuel Cox and his Award-Winning Farm (approx. 1.2 miles away); Archaeology Provides a Key to the History of Rich Hill (approx. 1.2 miles away); Rich Hill Farm in the 20th Century (approx. 1.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Bel Alton.
Another marker is no longer nearby. Rich Hill (was approx. 1.2 miles away but has been confirmed missing).
Related markers. Click here for a list of markers that are related to this marker. To better understand the relationship, study each marker in the order shown.
Also see . . . Booth's Escape Byway.
Photographed by Bill Coughlin, April 17, 2023
2. John Wilkes Booth and David Herold Marker
Additional keywords. John Wilkes Booth Escape Route
Photographed by Jacqui Chalifoux, July 14, 2010
3. John Wilkes Booth and David Herold Marker
Photographed by Jacqui Chalifoux, July 14, 2010
4. John Wilkes Booth and David Herold Marker
Photographed by Jacqui Chalifoux, May 6, 2008
5. A Tavern Booth and Herold may have frequented
Adjacent to the Pine Thicket Booth and Herold hid in is a tavern they MAY have frequented. Because it's not known for sure if they did, it's not considered a historical landmark, and is currently up for sale.
Photographed by Jacqui Chalifoux, May 6, 2008
6. Sign on Tavern
A mostly unreadable sign on the tavern, believed to read:
"John Wilkes Booth, David Herold, along with Thomas A. Jones, may have stopped in this once tavern for a brew and friendly hand of cards before fleeing into nearby woods."
"John Wilkes Booth, David Herold, along with Thomas A. Jones, may have stopped in this once tavern for a brew and friendly hand of cards before fleeing into nearby woods."
Photographed by Jacqui Chalifoux, May 6, 2008
7. What's that in the window?
Yes, those are mannequin legs placed in the window by some prankster.
Credits. This page was last revised on January 23, 2025. It was originally submitted on October 16, 2007, by Kevin W. of Stafford, Virginia. This page has been viewed 14,956 times since then and 83 times this year. Last updated on January 7, 2011. Photos: 1. submitted on October 16, 2007, by Kevin W. of Stafford, Virginia. 2. submitted on April 27, 2023, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey. 3, 4, 5, 6, 7. submitted on July 14, 2010, by Jacqueline White of Williamsburg, VA - Virginia.
