Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1952-12-04

,per Potomac
enough to realize the building value
of these same rocks. Countless
thousands of blocks of this red
marble was fioated on barges, af-
ter the competitor of the canal, to
Washington. When you look at the
Washington Monument you are
looking at a small part of Mont
gomery County's high hills. These
same rocks were also used in the
construction Of the locks, lock
houses, the viaducts under the
canal and the aquaducts carrying
the canals waters over streams and
rivers.
Adjacent to Marble Quarry is
enormous Mason's Island. This is
land has been intensity farmed for
many years. It's fertile, silted soil
precludes the need for artificial
stimulants such as lime and fertil-
izer in the growing of a corn or
wheat crop. Mason's Island is one
place in the East that can boast of
an eagles nest at it's westward tip
high in a majestic river bottom
sycamore. l can point it out to you.
1t has been there for many years.
Did you ever hear of Red Rock,
Virginia? 1t is almost opposite
Marble Quarry. 1t is, as it's name
implies, red rock of gigantic pro-
portions of about the same struc-
ture as the red marble on the Mary
land side. A friend of mine built
beautiful home complete with out
door swimming pool smack atop
Red Rock. 1 have always been en-
vious of him.
However, when coon hunting
along Red Rock 1 have. manv
times, got the unmistakable Whit
of raw cucumbers, a dead giveaway
of definite presence of the short.
thick, copper-hued medium of
death. So, on second thought,
don't know whether I'd like a man
sion on top of Red Rock or not. If
/ did live there I'd surely look UNI
der the covers of the bed every
night before I got in. I certainly
would not relish a copperhead for
a bed partner.
Bass fishing is wonderful on the
Red Rock side of the river particu-
larry in the fall when bass seek
deep water 1.-THE water is verv deep
all along the rock cliff The old
fish pot lust below the rock is ideal
bass water during the hot months
of July and AUGUST. To those of
you who fish, l highly recommend
this almost unfished section of the
river TO YOU. But brine YOUR own
boat. Since the death of Mr.. Wood,
who rented fishing boats, no boats
arr available.
Marble Quarry. it's environs, it's
high old oaks. it's majestic syca-
mores, it's ouiescent waters, it's
utter silence and peace bordering
on solemnity. are incompatible.
There is no place on earth so far
from the "maddening throng" and,
paradoxically. so close to it!
/ have thought when in sober
mood, that when l shuttle off this
mortal coil" l would like to be
buried near the mouth of Bear
Branch on top of one of Marble
Quarry's hills-to have for my
view the lordlv Potomac and Vir-
ginia's eternal hills. l could rest
here in peace. l do believe.
To get to Woods Lock. which is
the same thing as Marble Quarry
marble Quarry begins a city
block below the lock house on the
birm side of the canaD take Route
% west out of Rockville to Pooles-
vile. turn right to Martinsburo
In Martinsburg turn right until
YOU reach an old corn crib on your
left, turn left and go until you
can't go any further. Then, my
friend, you are at the threshold of
Gods country.
Will you let me know it you liked
it?