Croom in Prince George's County, Maryland — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Merkle Wildlife Sanctuary
Photographed By F. Robby, August 20, 2013
1. Merkle Wildlife Sanctuary Marker
Inscription.
Merkle Wildlife Sanctuary. . The Merkle Wildlife Sanctuary was established in 1970 here along the Patuxent River in Prince George's County. It is named for Edgar Merkle who owned a large part of the land and who originated a breeding plan to re-introduce gees to this part of Maryland. In 1932 he bought his first pair of breeding geese from Arkansas and Missouri and bred them at his home near Washington, D.C. He released the young adults at his Patuxent farm in the fall. His flock increased over the next few years and in 1948, five pairs of migratory geese arrived. During this same period, Mr. Merkle also raised prize winning Black Angus cattle, but when the geese competed with the cattle for food, he sided with the geese and sold the herd. By 1955, a flock of several thousand geese were wintering on the Merkle farm. Today from ten to fifteen thousand birds use Merkle as their wintering grounds to feed and rest.
The Merkle Wildlife Sanctuary was established in 1970 here along the Patuxent River in Prince George's County. It is named for Edgar Merkle who owned a large part of the land and who originated a breeding plan to re-introduce gees to this part of Maryland. In 1932 he bought his first pair of breeding geese from Arkansas and Missouri and bred them at his home near Washington, D.C. He released the young adults at his Patuxent farm in the fall. His flock increased over the next few years and in 1948, five pairs of migratory geese arrived. During this same period, Mr. Merkle also raised prize winning Black Angus cattle, but when the geese competed with the cattle for food, he sided with the geese and sold the herd. By 1955, a flock of several thousand geese were wintering on the Merkle farm. Today from ten to fifteen thousand birds use Merkle as their wintering grounds to feed and rest.
Erected by Merkle Wildlife Sanctuary.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Animals • Environment. A significant historical year for this entry is 1970.
Location. 38° 43.67′ N, 76° 42.473′ W. Marker is in Croom, Maryland, in Prince George's County. Marker can be reached from Fenno Road, 0.8 miles north of Nottingham Road. Located within the
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Merkle Wildlife Sanctuary, next to the Visitor Center. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Upper Marlboro MD 20772, United States of America. Touch for directions.
This memorial marker, and the Chesapeake Gateways marker on the right, are also next to the Visitors Center.
Credits. This page was last revised on January 7, 2022. It was originally submitted on August 24, 2013, by F. Robby of Baltimore, Maryland. This page has been viewed 523 times since then and 11 times this year. Last updated on December 30, 2021, by Carl Gordon Moore Jr. of North East, Maryland. Photos:1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on August 24, 2013, by F. Robby of Baltimore, Maryland. • Mark Hilton was the editor who published this page.
