Description - Maryland's Eastern Shore was once the domain of Native Americans who left evidence of their presence for modern-day explorers to find. Hundreds of years ago, Algonquin tribes regularly crossed the Lower Eastern Shore to hunt wild game or attend large clan or tribal gatherings, trekking from upland villages around the Chesapeake Bay to the Atlantic coast. Traveling on foot or by canoe, the tribes created trails used later by the first European settlers. Many of these early routes have become the very roads you drive as you follow this byway.This byway begins on the wind-swept beaches of the Assateague Island National Seashore and Assateague Island State Park. Named by the American Indians who hunted its shores, Assateague is roamed by the ponies made famous in the children's classic Misty of Chincoteague. These legendary ponies, descendants of horses that were allowed to run free in the early colonial days, are now the only permanent residents of the island. They are accustomed to sharing their beaches and sand dunes with surf fishermen, campers, and other humans. Leaving Assateague Island and driving through thick forests of loblolly pine and table-flat countryside, travelers are taken through several of Maryland's Eastern Shore historic communities to see excellent examples of Antebellum and Victorian architecture. This byway also traverses the Pocomoke River State Forest and Park for a naturally relaxing adventure. Here, the Pocomoke - an American Indian term meaning "black water" - flows through the northern-most reaches of bald cypress swamp. Local folklore holds that this area was a major conduit of the Underground Railroad, providing refuge to escaped slaves. The byway continues through more of the picturesque Eastern Shore to arrive at Crisfield on the Chesapeake Bay. Here Annemessex and Pocomoke tribes once camped while fishing the bountiful waters and where Maryland watermen later created an oyster boom town.
Attractions
- The Beach to Bay Indian Trail is known for it's Archeology, Cultural, Historical, Natural, Recreational and Scenic Attractions.
Directions from : The byway begins on the Assateague Island National Seashore at the Assateague Island State Park. Take MD-611 to MD-376, know as Assateague Road, and turn left. Cross US-113 into Berlin and turn left onto Main Street. Continuing south, Main Street becomes US-113. Leave US-113 and turn right on MD-394 which becomes Market Street as it enters Snow Hill. Continue south on Market Street for three miles to rejoin US-113. Continue following US-113 and turn right onto MD-756, which crosses US-13 and takes you into Pocomoke City. Bear left onto 6th Street, and take a right on Market Street. As you drive through Pocomoke City, follow Market Street across the river and turn left on US-13 north, then left again on MD-667, or Rehobeth Road. Continue west in MD-667 to Hudsons Corner. From Hudsons Corner turn left on MD-413, and follow it to Crisfield. Old Furnace Branch
This branch of the byway begins as you enter Snow Hill on MD-394 which becomes Market Street. Turn on MD-12 (Washington Street) northwest out of Snow Hill and across the Pocomoke River. Continue to the junction of MD-12 and MD-354. Turn left on Old Furnace Road and cross Nassawango Creek to the Furnace Town Historic Site. Continue west along Old Furnace Road through the Pocomoke State Forest and turn left onto Petes Hill Road then right onto MD-388, or West Post Office Road, which takes you to Princess Anne. Turn left on Somerset Avenue, and follow it to US-13 and MD-413 to Crisfield.
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