Friends of Little Bennett

Little Bennett Regional Park is noted for its outstanding natural resources: its great forests, many creeks, scenic meadows, exceptional birding, and all the other wildlife that call the Park their home. And the Parks 23 miles of trails enable visitors to easily reach all these great natural attractions as well as enjoy the exceptional serenity and peace that the Park offers.

But there is another side of the Park — the human or historic side — that is equally compelling. In order to help visitors more readily appreciate and understand the historic evolution of the Park, we have recently added a section to our website on the history of the Park area.

Because the public land that is now the Park was once privately owned, we have also summarized briefly the histories of the four surrounding communities whose land was used to create the Park. This includes the town of Clarksburg on the southern border of the Park, Hyattstown to the west, Lewisdale to the north, and Kings Valley to the east.

The history of Little Bennett reveals that the natural resources of the area as well as its positioning along a key transportation route (MD355) were key factors in its economic evolution.

For example, resource extraction industries including logging and quarrying, in addition to farming, were practiced in the hills in and around the Park.

As unlikely as it might seem today, manufacturing industries as grain milling, sawmills, whiskey distillation, and leather tanning were once important in the now scenic Little Bennett valley. These industries were predominantly engaged in processing the natural resources extracted locally.

And transportation, retail, and other service industries prospered, especially in Clarksburg, Hyattstown and along MD 355. At one time Clarksburg was such a prominent merchant center that it was the third largest town in Montgomery County.

The Little Bennett Park Master Plan contains several suggestions that would help visitors better understand and appreciate the history of the Park.
Posteed August 14, 2008

About Friends of Little Bennett Park

The Friends of Little Bennett Park support through volunteer and advocacy efforts the Park and its staff in programs, events and activities that:

Promote use of Little Bennett Regional Park in a manner that conserves and protects its natural beauty, resources and tranquility,
Steward the Park's land, water, wildlife, vegetative and cultural resources while informing and educating the public about them, and
Monitor, protect and help maintain the Park's extensive network of trails.

About Little Bennett Regional Park

Located in Northern Montgomery County, Little Bennett Regional Park is both the largest park in the County and the one with the most pristine natural environment. The Park's 3,700 acres are bisected by Little Bennett Creek, a high quality stream that supports one of the few brown trout fisheries in the County. There are 11 historic sites in the park including the Montgomery Chapel Cemetery, Zeigler Log House, Hyattstown Mill and Kingsley School House. Existing park facilities include a 91-site campground, 18 hole golf course and driving range, and over 23 miles of natural surface trails. Approximately 67,500 annual Park visitors enjoy hiking, cycling, birding, camping, fishing, horseback riding, plant walks, interpretive programs and golf.