1. The island was originally going to be made into a private resort in the 1960s. However, due to a major nor'easter, development stopped, and was eventually put on a permanent halt.
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Tuesday, July 07, 2020
8 Fascinating Things You Probably Didn’t Know About Assateague Island In Maryland
In Maryland, when people hear the words Assateague Island, their minds instantly go to a beach filled with wild ponies. While that’s true, there are plenty of other things to do at the park. The history of this place is also quite interesting and just may surprise you. Read on to find out why this Maryland gem is so much more than it seems.
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What most people don't realize is how much money was wasted putting a separate bicycle path on the bridge to the Maryland portion of Assateague. The vehicular bridge had been in use for many years and in the mid-1990s some wackos decided there needed to be an addition built for a bike path. For the millions spent on this addition they could have hired someone to load up bikes on a trailer and haul them over the bridge for the next 10,000 years. You can look it up!
I liked it when you crossed by ferry, less visitors. Met someone on the island you knew them. Park Rangers were known by everyone and known to have a cold beer with you while stopping to chat, when on patrol. Yep, telling my age. Lol
Love me some Assateague. Let's not screw it up.
Younger years, we'd go 4-wheeling where the road ends, bonfires, cook outs, spent the night, next day pack up and head north.
Oh yeah, we cleaned up EVERYTHING because thats what you are suppose to do.
Leave no trace!
Today...well I'm too old for that fun and all the strings you need to sign/pay, just not worth the squeeze. I understand why, just too much for an old fart like me.
I have the memories and a few pics!!!!
Share your pics
Assateague had a home built runway at one time. Also a lodge for the pilots to dine at to. There was a housing development to until the storm of 1962. General Motors had a ducking lodge also. All that is gone now - what-a-shame.
another fascinating thing is they sold close to 8000 osv passes last year with a daily limit of 145 allowed on the beach at any one time! never check to see if vehicle is capable of 4wd or if owner has proper equipment!
money making operation if there ever was one!
My high school summer job was working as a park attendant for my last 3 years of high school. Back then, Bebe Rebozzo (close friend of Richard Nixon) had a property on the North end of the island between the state park and OC. The only access other than by water was through the contact station at the state park. The windows were always a dark tint, so we attendants could never see who were in the cars with the drivers. We were always alerted that tThey always were in 4-wheel drive vehicles, as there was no actual road to the residence. It was rumored that Richard Nixon was often a guest at the property, with Assateague only a three hour drive from DC. Totally secluded from the public. The attendants were always alerted, and instructed to allow their passage to the Northern beach where the public wasn't allowed. They could enjoy the beach without having to shut it down from the public. The ponies were boring, a nuisance to the park and campers, and at least one was hit by a car every summer that I worked there. From what I read about the park(s) now, nothing has changed, except there is no private property on the island anymore.
July 7, 2020 at 11:50 AM"
Hey,"Old Fart," You should have bought a National Golden Eagle Senior Park pass a couple of years ago when they were $10.00 (now $80.00), and good for a lifetime. Good at EVERY national park, and never pay a fee again. It's not always bad to be old, as long as you have your health and can still travel and get outdoors to enjoy nature. I bought my GE Pass several years ago on a fall foliage outing on the Skyline drive. The park attendant, asked me my age when I was paying my entry fee to the park ($10.00 Day Pass). When I told her I was over 60, she asked me if I wanted to purchase a GE Pass instead. Bless her heart! I've has it ever since, and I have visited many national parks since, without another fee. The pass is still a good deal, at the higher $80.00 cost today.
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