New Book on Green Ridge State Forest

A History of Green Ridge State Forest, a new book by Francis “Champ” Zumbrun, is now available from this web site’s store. The forest was once the property of Frederick Mertens, an immigrant from Germany who made a fortune building boats to ply the C&O Canal. The Mertens family transformed the forest into a vast apple orchard, and later began to sell private lots within it. Bankruptcy scuttled this scheme, however, and the area became a state forest known for its remarkable plant diversity.  The forest is located in eastern Allegany County, Maryland.

The book is illustrated by more than 55 images, including a number of interesting historical scenes of the C&O Canal.  Champ Zumbrun served as forest manager at Green Ridge State Forest before his recent retirement, and he is currently a Director of the C&O Canal Association. He knows his subject intimately, and his book sheds light on fascinating aspects of the region’s history.

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