. . . both sides had taken substantial losses. Robert E. Lee’s 50,000 remaining troops of the Army of Northern Virginia needed to withdraw from 80,000 remaining Union troops in George Meade’s Army of the Potomac. Where did they go?
Monterey Pass was the site of a battle that would determine whether Lee would be able to retreat and fight another day. 60 miles of wagons, loaded with supplies needed to sustain Lee’s army, headed for the river crossing at Williamsport MD and escape to Virginia. 20 miles of those wagons made their way via Monterey Pass. During the night of July 4th, 5000 Union troops, including George Armstrong Custer, attacked this retreating wagon train in the middle of a raging thunderstorm.
The Monterey Pass Battlefield Park and Museum is a 125 acre natural, cultural & historical park located in Washington Township, Franklin County, Pennsylvania. The park and museum preserves a portion of Pennsylvania’s second largest Civil War battle.
The Battle included the Toll House, site of the fiercest part of the battle where the Union broke the Confederate line. The Toll House which still stands is currently privately owned and occupied, though negotiations are underway to bring it into the Park. The Park currently includes miles of trails with magnificent views of the area, and a Boy Scout encampment area. Adjacent to the Park is Happel’s Meadow Wetlands, Monterey Park picnic area and Pavilion (which can be reserved through Washington Township) and a playground. The Museum and its immediate grounds include maps and artifacts of the battle. Parking suitable for cars and busses is located just across Charmain Road, at the starting point of the trails and within a short walk over the pedestrian bridge of the Museum.
Join us for a wonderful Civil War and nature experience. Take a look around the park with this video. See many enhancements described in the video which were completed in late 2020, and the 2021 Program here.
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For more Scheduled Activities, see our Activities Calendar at left. For current events, review the following posts from our Facebook page, or visit our Facebook page using the link at the bottom of this page.
We are collecting stories about the old Monterey (Mt Zero) Toll House in Blue Ridge Summit. The only old photo we have of it is from the late 1800's and widely posted. If anyone has any old photo's or stories about this site please post it, or send us an email at montereypassbattlefield@gmail.com! We would love to know who was living there in the 1800's.
Today at Monterey Battlefield Park
I love to walk this trail. Great visitors center.
This was on 1/12. The otter crew.
Thank you for sharing.
Winter is a great time to hike the trails at the Monterey Pass Battlefield Park!
did this last month. one side is very steep.
Was a beautiful hike on Christmas Day!
Love doing our annual living history there
I agree. You can see better on the overpasses.
I did the Library Trail last summer. Didn't see the overlook in the picture.
This is our last weekend open for the season, but we will be open Tuesday November 19, the anniversary of Pesident Lincoln's dedication of The Soldiers' National Cemetery in Gettysburg. Our trails are open all year, and the views really open up when the leaves are off the trees!
walked up to the top and then spent an enjoyable hour with the nice caretaker at the museum. hubby loved talking history with another fan of the civil war.
what hours tuesday, please?