History

The Rolling Hills: Farms
The rolling hills around Clarksburg, Hyattstown and the Little Bennett valley made (and make!) good farmland. Gradually, the area around these two towns was settled, cleared and farmed.

Tobacco was for a time the principal crop, and in the early days even served as cash for farmers who grew it. At one point, Maryland accounted for 20% of the nation's tobacco production and Montgomery County accounted for about 25% of Maryland's total tobacco crop. One old Tobacco Barn remains standing in the Park, and can be viewed from one of the trails on the north side of the Park.

Over time, as other states proved more competitive at producing tobacco, local farmers gradually expanded their production of wheat, corn and other grains. Eventually, as the local road system improved, dairy farming became predominant.

Remnants of three farms of historical interest exist within the Park. All lie in the hills on the Park's north side and were once part of the community of Lewisdale which borders the Park. These farms include the: