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You’re invited!
Tri-State Marker Trail Dedication &
Celebration of the 250th Anniversary
of the Mason Dixon Survey
Saturday June 6, 2015
Dedication Ceremony begins at 11 am at the Tri-State Marker
On June 6th, 1765 Charles Mason and Jeremiah Dixon placed an oak post at the point on
their survey where the West or Mason-Dixon Line (northern boundary of Maryland) intersected with the North Line that formed the boundary between Maryland and the lower three
counties of Pennsylvania (later to become Delaware). The survey divided the lands of the
Calverts (Maryland), and the lands controlled by William Penn(Pennsylvania). The current
permanent marker was set at this location in 1849.
Now, 250 years later, and because of the dedication of volunteers and the financial sup-
port of the community, a new public trail provides access to this unique place in our nation’s history. This 4-mile looping trail meanders through mature hardwood forests, rolling meadows, and around wetlands within White Clay Creek Preserve, in Pennsylvania
and White Clay Creek State Park, in Delaware, to the Tri-State marker.
Please join the Friends of White Clay Creek Preserve and the Wilmington Trail Club as we celebrate
the accomplishments of the Mason/Dixon survey and dedicate the completed northern segment of
the trail to the Tri-State Marker on National Trails Day.
Highlights of the celebration include:
• The Tri-State Trail Discovery Hike: This self-guided 1.7 mile (one-way) hike along the new
trail will feature stations to explore along the way including activities for children, information
about the Mason Dixon Survey, Native and Non-Native Plant Identification, and more. Access
is from the Parking Lot on Arc Corner Road (off Chambers Rock Road) in Pennsylvania. (Details on back)
• Wilmington Trail Club will lead 4 hikes. The 9-mile and 4-mile (round trip) hikes will leave
from the pavilion at the Carpenter Recreation Area, in Delaware. A 10-mile hike will leave from
the Appleton Road Parking area of the Fair Hill Natural Resources Area in Maryland. A 15-mile
hike will leave from the London Tract Meeting House in Pennsylvania. (Details on back)
• A Dedication Ceremony of the completed northern segment of the trail to the Tri-State Marker
and a celebration of the 250th Anniversary of the setting of this point.
Details at: FriendsofPaWCCP.org
• This is a rain or shine event, dress accordingly.
•Bring water and pack snacks and/or your lunch.
•Transportation to the ceremony site will be available from the Carpenter Area of White Clay Creek State Park for those unable to hike. Details
on website -- RSVP required
Friends of White Clay Creek Preserve is a chapter of the Pennsylvania Parks and Forests Foundation
Tri-State Marker Trail Discovery Hike
9 am to 1 pm
This self-guided 1.7 mile (one-way) hike along the new
Tri-State Marker Trail features stations to explore along the
way.
Organizations presenting discovery stations include:
• Parking/Information/Water Booth - FWCCP
• Surveying the 18th Century Way - White Clay Creek
State Park Nature Center
• The Mason-Dixon Survey history in the Tri-State
Region - White Clay Creek State Park Nature Center
• Native and Local Plants - FWCCP
• Wildlife identification - castings -- FWCCP
• The Environment -- FWCCP
• White Clay Watershed Association
• Friends of White Clay Creek General Information • Eagle Scout Project Bridge
• Eagle Scout Project Bridge
• White Clay Wild and Scenic Program
• Lyme Disease
• Wilmington Trail Club
A brief Dedication Ceremony starts at 11 am as hikers arrive
with the flags of Pennsylvania, Maryland, and Delaware to the
Tri-State Marker.
Maps will be provided at the trailhead and the trail will be
clearly designated with signs and chalk markings. We suggest starting the hike before 10 am to allow adequate time
to experience the “discovery stations” along the hike route
before the dedication ceremony.
Directions
Access to the trailhead is from the Parking Lot on Arc
Corner Road (off Chambers Rock Road), in Pennsylvania.
Sightlines are poor at this intersection. Use extreme caution when entering or exiting Arc Corner Road. West Grove
Fire Company’s Fire Police will be directing traffic at this
intersection from 9 am to 1 pm.
Please note: Arc Corner Road is partly a gravel, single lane
road. Traffic will be limited to one way in from 7:30 am until
11 am and one way out from 11 am to 1:30 pm. We will
make an effort to open the road in the opposite direction,
if needed, but please have patience as we deal with the
traffic flow.
There is no fee for parking at the Arc Corner Road Parking Lot.
Wilmington Trail Club National Trails Day Hikes
Spend additional time enjoying the beauty of White Clay Creek watershed on one of the special National Trails Day hikes
offered from Wilmington Trail Club. All Wilmington Trail Club hikes will use the Tri-State Marker Trail, and hikers will have the
opportunity to enjoy the Discovery Stations on the way to the Tri-State Marker.
Please bring water and lunch for all hikes. Sturdy hiking shoes are strongly recommended for the longer hikes!
Delaware
We will hike past the Arc Corner monument and the Delaware Nature Center then on to the Dedication of the Tri
State Marker Trail. Then return to Carpenter.
Length: 4-6 miles (round trip) • Time to Meet: By 9 am
Where: Pavilion in White Clay State Park, Carpenter Recreation Area (entrance on Route 896, Newark Delaware
-- state park fees in affect)
Delaware
We will hike past the Arc Corner monument and the
Delaware Nature Center then on to the Dedication of the
Tri State Marker Trail. Then return to Carpenter by various
trails in Carpenter.
Length: 7-9 miles (round trip) • Time to Meet: By 9 am
Where: Pavilion in White Clay State Park, Carpenter Recreation Area (entrance on Route 896, Newark Delaware
-- state park fees in affect)
Maryland
This hike is at a medium pace. Includes stops at the Mason
& Dixon Tri-State Marker, Arc Corner Marker, and Mason &
Dixon Marker #1 with about 2 miles of road walking.
Length: 10 miles (round trip) • Time to Meet: By 8:30 am
Where: Meet at Fair Hill Natural Resources Area Parking
Lot #3 on Appleton Road (parking fees in affect).
Pennsylvania
We will hike the Mason Dixon Trail past the Delaware Nature
Center then on to the Dedication of the Tri State Marker Trail.
We will pass the Arc Corner Monument then return by the
Boundary Line Trail and Vaughn’s Trail at a brisk pace.
Length: 15 miles (round trip) • Time to Meet: By 9 am
Where: Meet at the London Tract Meeting House in White
Clay Creek State Preserve, Sharpless Road, London Brit-
ain Township (no parking fee).