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Choptank River

The Choptank River on the Eastern Shore of Maryland is bordered by three counties: Dorchester, Caroline, and Talbot. This sixty-eight mile river served as a route and a barrier to freedom during the antebellum period. With its headwaters near the Delaware border, freedom seekers from the region could travel by boat or follow its banks northeast and be within fifty miles of the Pennsylvania line and freedom. Using their own maritime skills, relying on the aid of other mariners, or secreting themselves aboard vessels sailing along the river, freedom seekers used a variety of resources to utilize the river as their means of escape from slavery.

Visitor Information: Currently open to public.

Location: Caroline County Tourism, 15 S. Third Street, Denton, 21629

National Park Unit: No

Ownership: Caroline County Office of Tourism

Location Type: Site

Freedom Seekers: Harriet Tubman