Near Hancock in Washington County, Maryland — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)

Sideling Hill and Town Hill Mountains

Photographed By J. J. Prats, August 13, 2006

1. Sideling Hill and Town Hill Mountains Marker

Inscription. Rainwater enters the outcropping sandstones of Sideling Hill and collects in what is termed an aquifer. In this highway cut, the water runs out at the bottom of the fractured sandstone layers because it cannot go through the dense claystone below. There are often continual water seeps or ice falls during winter in a cut like this.

The ridge to the west is Town Hill, a syncline like Sideling Hill. What looks like an end to the hill is a cut, eroded by a river which might have been bigger than today’s Potomac River. Town Hill extends tens of miles into Pennsylvania.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Natural Features • Roads & Vehicles. In addition, it is included in the The Historic National Road series list.

Location. Marker has been reported missing. It was located near 39° 43.148′ N, 78° 16.9′ W. Marker was near Hancock, Maryland, in Washington County. Marker was on the westbound Sideling Hill Visitors Center (Interstate 68 at milepost 75) west of Exit 77 (Maryland Route 144), on the right when traveling west. Marker can also be reached from the eastbound Rest Area by crossing the footbridge. Touch for map. Marker was in this post office area: Hancock MD 21750, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8

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other markers are within 4 miles of this location, measured as the crow flies. Sideling Hill Cut South Bench (within shouting distance of this marker); The National Road (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); The Challenge of Sideling Hill (about 300 feet away); Gettysburg Campaign (about 300 feet away); Interstate 68 Maryland Vietnam Memorial (about 700 feet away); a different marker also named Gettysburg Campaign (approx. ¼ mile away); Round Top Sand Company (approx. 4 miles away); Round Top Heritage Area (approx. 4 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Hancock.

Sunlight Glints off the Water Seeping from the Sandstone Layers image. Click for full size.

Photographed By J. J. Prats, August 13, 2006

2. Sunlight Glints off the Water Seeping from the Sandstone Layers

Credits. This page was last revised on July 14, 2020. It was originally submitted on January 21, 2007, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio. This page has been viewed 2,551 times since then and 36 times this year. Last updated on February 20, 2008, by Christopher Busta-Peck of Shaker Heights, Ohio. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on January 21, 2007, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio. • Craig Swain was the editor who published this page.