• Catoctin Mountain

    Catoctin Mountain

    Park Maryland

People

Yellow birch tree roots.
Just as a tree without roots is dead, a people without history or culture also becomes a dead people.  - Malcom X (1925-1965)
NPS Photo
 

People used the mountain's resources both today and in the past. Native American Indians used the stone, rhyolite, to make tools, European settlers used the trees for timber, charcoal making, and the land for farming. People continue to use the mountain today for rejuvenation and recreation. Explore the people of the mountain and then continue with the Stories to discover pieces of our heritage.

Native Americans

Early Settlers

African Americans

Charcoal and Iron Industry

Sawmill Industry

Whiskey Still Industry

Catoctin Recreational Demonstration Area

Works Progress Administration

Civilian Conservation Corps

World War II

Office of Strategic Services

Job Corps

Did You Know?

Morel mushrooms with a human hand for size comparison.

Visitors in Catoctin Mountain Park may gather morel mushrooms for personal consumption. Morels are found in a variety of habitats but generally they seem to be found in wet soil that is high in organic matter and shaded by trees, especially hardwoods. Favorite locations are closely guarded secrets!