A county steeped in Civil War history should be the logical place for a driving tour that organizers hope will draw new visitors.
The Carroll County Office of Tourism has organized the "Roads to Gettysburg," complete with maps and a brief history of 25 stops along the way to one of the bloodiest, pivotal battles of the Civil War.
In 1863, nearly all roads north to Gettysburg traversed Carroll County.
"On the way to the battle of Gettysburg, there were thousands trampling the dirt roads with horses, forage wagons and caissons," said Sally Walters, licensed battlefield guide at the Gettysburg National Park, which attracts 2 million visitors a year.
Today, the roads are paved and surrounded by the trappings of the 20th century. But traces of the marchers are still there for those who want to learn from history. Travelers can drive along the same routes the Union and Confederate armies took through Carroll County.
The county tourism staff kicked off the tour last week with a breakfast to honor the 18 volunteers who helped put the tour on the map.
"Civil War buffs are more and more asking for fringe tours," said Ms. Walters. "Many have seen the battlefields, and they want to know more."
Tourists can pick up the story in Carroll County, which echoes with history, she said.
"Those marches were the most incredible of the Civil War, and most of the corps marched through Carroll County," said Ms. Walters. "The county is rife with historic homes and sites. People who get this brochure will realize the history."
The tour stops in most Carroll towns and includes several points in Westminster.
"We planned well and researched each spot," said Dan Schaeffer, a Western Maryland College senior, who recently served an internship with the Office of Tourism. "This made me a Civil War buff."
Mr. Schaeffer found much of the information for the guide in diaries and letters preserved at the Historical Society of Carroll County.
"A lot of the troops moved north through Carroll County, and we were able to find many of the places where they stopped," he said.
The first of 25 stops is at Hoods Mill near Route 97 at the Carroll-Howard line, where a marker details the invasion of the Confederate Cavalry of Maj. Gen. J. E. B. Stuart at daybreak June 29, 1863.
In an attempt to cut off Northern supply lines, the brochure says, the army destroyed the Baltimore and Ohio railroad tracks and a bridge in Sykesville and then continued its steady drive north.
On a test drive from points A to Y, Ellen Horine served as navigator, while her husband drove. She pronounced the four-hour tour a "lovely, relaxing drive, where you can really unwind."
Although the official start is at Hoods Mill, Ms. Horine said the sites are not interconnected and travelers can join the tour at any point.
"The directions are easy to follow, and the sites are well marked," said Ms. Horine.
County Commissioners W. Benjamin Brown and Donald I. Dell praised both the tour and volunteer effort.
"History is all around us, and we should take time to get immersed in it," Mr. Brown told the volunteers. "This tour helps us to know the role Carroll County played."
Jack Lyburn, director of Economic Development, said he can envision many advantages from the project.
"History sells," said Mr. Lyburn. "History and tourism will be the number one industry in the country by the year 2000."
Brochures are available at the Carroll County Visitors Center, 21 E. Main St., Westminster. Information: (800) 272-1933.
CARROLL COUNTY ROADS TO GETTYSBURGH DRIVING TOUR
A. Hoods Mill, where Confederate General J.E.B. Stuart entered Carroll on June 29, 1863
B. Pine Grove Chapel near Mount Airy, where Union troops guarded Mount Airy
C. Dielman Inn in New Windsor, where Union Cavalry passed on June 30, 1863
D. Union Bridge, where body of Union Major General John Fulton Reynolds was first sent
E. Segafoose Hotel in Uniontown, where General Hancock met with his staff
F. Uniontown Post Office, where many troops sent letters home on June 29 and 30, 1863
G. The Weaver House in Uniontown, where General Hancock slept the night of June 29, 1863
H. Yingling's Store in Westminster, where Confederate were station to control the roads
I. John Brooks Boyle residence in Westminster, headquarters for Confederate General Thomas Lafayette Rosser during the Antietam Campaign on Sept. 11, 1862.
J. John Street in Westminster, site of Fifth Virginia Cavalry encampment, September 11, 1862
K. Shellman House in Westminster, where Mary Shellman was punished for insulting General J.E.B. Stuart with a kiss from the general
L. Westminster Hotel, where Major Napoleon B. Knight stayed while his First Delaware Cavalry fought on June 28, 1863.
M. Ascension Episcopal Church in Westminster, where two Confederate soldiers killed in battle at what is now Main Street and Washington Road were buried
N. Court House in Westminster, where a United States flag was taken from its fire proof room in the clerks office by confederate troops
O. Corner of Washington Road and East Main Street in Westminster, site of Corbit's Charge
P. Crest-Trumbo House in Westminster, the scene of more fighting in Corbit's Charge on June 29, 1863
Q. Manchester Avenue in Westminster, route used by 10,000 member of the Sixth Corps
R. Antrim in Taneytown, where Civil War soldiers sometimes camped
S. Trinity Lutheran Church in Taneytown, where the Union Signal Corps established headquarters on June 30, 1863
T. Swope's Place in Taneytown, where many of the Gettysburg wounded were treated by Dr. Swope
U. Bridgeport, where the Third Corps of the Union Army camped on June 30, 1863 before moving to Emmitsburg
V. Major General George G. Meade moved the headquarters of the Army of the Potomac to a spot between Taneytown and Littlestown, Pa., on June 29, 1863
W. Union Mills Homestead was a house divided during the war, with one of the founder's sone fighting for the Union, the other for the Confederacy
X. Headquarters of General John Sedgwick's Sixth Corps was headquartered about a mile north of Manchester before heading back to Union Mills and along Littlestown Pike on the way to Gettysburg
Y. Campground for General Sedgewick's troops south of Manchester