The U.S. Department of Transportation, Federal Highway Administration officially designated 45 new Byways including the Catoctin Mountain Scenic Byway in an official ceremony in September. The nomination was submitted by Frederick County following development of a corridor management plan by a citizens advisory committee representing property owners, attractions, parks, businesses and governments along the stretch of US 15 in Frederick County.

The Federal Highway Administration recognized the byway as the gateway to mid-Maryland’s historic, scenic, and natural resource-based recreation opportunities found along the Catoctin Mountains, noting that the route includes scenic views of farmsteads, orchards, and mountains. Also noted were the gateways to revitalized historic downtowns, historic sites from early industrial history to the Civil War, and parks for hiking, camping, picnicking, and exploring as well as wonderful places to stay, eat, and shop along the way.

"This is a tremendous cultural and promotional opportunity for Frederick County as this designation will further increase awareness of our region," said John Fieseler, Executive Director of the Tourism Council of Frederick County and a member of the scenic byway citizens advisory group. "With this new designation as one of America’s Byways, Catoctin Mountain Scenic Byway is eligible for additional federal funding, plus technical assistance and support. It also means the Catoctin Mountain Scenic Byway will be included on future America’s Byways maps published by the US DOT, and that should further boost tourism to our area." According to the Travel Industry Association of America, 80% of all travel in the US is by car and many Americans enjoy the driving experience that Frederick County has to offer.

"Byways are all about creating linkages," said Fieseler. "The Catoctin Mountain Scenic Byway links the wonderful resources and stories that span from the Potomac River and adjacent C & O Canal National Historical Park and railroad heritage in the Point of Rocks and Brunswick area, historic Saint Paul’s Church, up through the historic City of Frederick, Lewistown, Thurmont, Emmitsburg, Cunningham Falls State Park, Catoctin Mountain Park, the National Shrine Grotto of Lourdes, the National Shrine of Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton, the National Fallen Firefighters Memorial, Catoctin Iron Furnace, Catoctin Wildlife Preserve and Zoo, orchards, covered bridges, corn mazes and more…right up to the Mason Dixon Line."

The 38-mile long stretch of US 15 in Maryland, all in Frederick County, is one segment of the 175-mile long corridor dubbed the Journey Through Hallowed Ground that runs from Gettysburg, PA to Monticello in Charlottesville, VA. Organizers of this corridor hope to have the entire length eventually designated as a National Scenic Byway, following Frederick County’s and Maryland’s lead.

"Also of great significance is the intersection of two federally designated byways, as the Catoctin Mountain Scenic Byway crosses the Historic National Road in Frederick. There aren’t many communities that sit on two of America’s Byways and this further illustrates Frederick’s significance as an important crossroads throughout the nation’s history," said Tourism Council President Mike Irons of Thurmont.

The US 15 corridor management plan developed by the Citizens Advisory Group in Frederick County notes that "existing County land use and zoning regulations coupled with the existing County, State, Federal and private agricultural land and open space preservation programs are some of the best available." No changes to growth areas, land use or zoning regulations were proposed as part of the plan. Instead the plan recommends incentives to encourage property owners to take advantage of these programs on a voluntary basis.

For more information about visit www.byways.org. The corridor management plan for US 15 can be is available on the Planning Division pages at www.co.frederick.md.us.