Shepherdstown (Potomac River)

History: After the Battle of Antietam, the Confederate wounded flooded into Shepherdstown, filling homes and private buildings. Henry Kyd Douglas, whose Ferry Hill Plantation is on the Maryland side, is buried in Elmwood Cemetery.

More to Explore: Founded in the 1730s, Shepherdstown has been carefully restored and is now on the National Register of Historic Places. Federal, Greek Revival and Victorian architecture abounds. One of the town's largest employers, Shepherd College, is located on the site of a fortification used during the French & Indian War.

Plan to spend some time outdoors at the C&O Canal National Historical Park, which offers a smooth towpath perfect for biking and hiking. Meanwhile, a boat ramp in town provides access to the Potomac River, which is especially well-known for its smallmouth bass fishing, kayaking and other water activities. For more Civil War history, the area is a short drive from Antietam National Battlefield as well as Boteler's Ford, which was the site of the last significant battle of the Maryland campaign on September 20, 1862.

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