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Historical Tour
Location Rock Run Area
Susquehanna State Park, 410-557-7994
Harford County
Access Head south on Route 155 to Lapidum Road. Turn left on Lapidum Road and left on Stafford Road to Rock Run Historic Area.
Distance One quarter mile
Time 1 to 2 hours
Suitable For Families? Yes
Hazards/Restrictions Warn children to keep away from operating equipment in the gristmill, including the water wheel. Historic buildings are not ADA accessible.
Potable Water/Restrooms No potable water available; pit toilets located near gristmill.
Natural Features Scenic Rock Run stream valley converges with the Susquehanna River in this area, the largest water source for the Chesapeake Bay. Surrounding ridges provide vast views across the landscape. The wide and deep river is a favorite spot for anglers and birders.
Historic/Cultural Features Rock Run Grist Mill is an operating mill. Nearby abandoned Tidewater Canal was important in shipping goods between Pennsylvania, Havre de Grace and Baltimore. The canal has several locks intact. Bridge abutments remain from the Rock Run Covered Bridge, one of the longest covered bridges in the United States, which crossed the mighty Susquehanna River. The Jersey Tollhouse was used to collect tolls from travelers crossing the river or heading north on the canal. The John Archer Mansion was the residence of the mill owner.
Guiding Tours of the gristmill are offered on weekends May through September
Camping Available in season at Susquehanna State Park. Call 1-888-432-2267 for fees and availability.
Other Points of Interest The nearby towns of Havre de Grace, Port Deposit, Perryville and Aberdeen provide many tourist amenities and have historical interest. Havre de Grace's Lockhouse Museum, Maritime Museum, and Concord Point Lighthouse were part of the shipping and transportation industries that made this town thrive. A waterfront "promenade" provides views of the Chesapeake Bay. The Lower Susquehanna Heritage Greenway provides a walking and biking trail paralleling the Susquehanna River.
Other Accommodations Bed and breakfasts are located in Darlington and Havre de Grace. Hotels are available in Perryville, Aberdeen and Havre de Grace.
Fees or Permits Donations are accepted at the gristmill. Permit needed for camping. Call 1-888-432-2267 for reservations.
Description The meandering scenic Rock Run enters the Susquehanna River at this historic area. Ruins and existing buildings can be toured on foot. Waterpower and water transportation provided the reason for settlement in this area and its means to thrive. Waterpower was harnessed to grind corn and wheat in the Rock Run Mill. Corn grinding demonstrations take place on weekends during the summer. The mill is open to group tours by reservation. The Tidewater Canal parallels the Susquehanna River. The canal served as a transport for coal and other goods through the fall line or rapids areas along the river between Pennsylvania, Havre de Grace and onto the port of Baltimore. Several locks still exist. Travel across the mighty Susquehanna, the largest river entering the Chesapeake Bay, was impeded until a one-mile long covered bridge was built here to connect Rock Run with Port Deposit. Attendants at the Jersey Tollhouse collected fees from barge captains on the canal and travelers crossing the covered bridge. Also on site is the John Archer Mansion, built by John Stump, a former mill owner.


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