ECC Visitor Guide 2026 - Flipbook - Page 27
TRAVEL
THROUGH
Follow the National Religious Freedom
Scenic Byway to St. Ignatius Catholic Church,
Chapel Point, and take in one of the county’s
most breathtaking views.
The calm waters of the Port Tobacco River stretch beneath
a wide sky, inviting a moment of re昀氀ection even before
you enter the church. Inside, the church’s architectural
details and its attached Jesuit manor house—the oldest
Jesuit residence still in use anywhere in the world—offer
countless opportunities for inspiration and contemplation.
The history here is remarkable: founded in the 17th century,
St. Ignatius is the oldest continuously active Roman
Catholic parish in the original 13 colonies, and Southern
Maryland’s early legislation helped lay the foundation for
the religious freedom Americans enjoy today.
Follow the Maryland Civil War Trail to the Dr. Samuel A.
Mudd House and be immersed in a story that feels almost
impossible to imagine.
History
Imagine you’re a doctor and someone comes to you for
help. At some point, you learn your patient is on the
run after assassinating the president, and you become
convicted as a co-conspirator in the crime. This scenario
was a reality for Dr. Samuel A. Mudd, whose wellpreserved home offers a fascinating glimpse into Mudd’s
life, the events surrounding the assassination, and
the turbulent times that followed. Tours are available
Wednesdays, Saturdays, and Sundays.
Want to take the trail from start to 昀椀nish? Begin in
Washington, D.C., and follow the footsteps of John Wilkes
Booth as he 昀氀ees to Southern Maryland, stopping in Port
Tobacco and Bel Alton along the way. The trail continues
south to Port Royal, Virginia, where Booth met his end
after refusing to surrender to authorities.
ExploreCharlesCounty.com
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