Endangered Maryland 2009

5. HIGH WINDS GUN CLUB “…In marsh and mud and sand hills On a slough, a minor branch Of the bay called Chincoteague Part of barrier reef or island Named by Indians Assateague Is a gun club and a haven.” —William H. Scott, partner, High Winds Gun Club So wrote Scott about High Winds Gun itime folklore. Someday, when [the club] Club, a single-story, 17-room hunting is gone, someone will say, ‘Why didn’t we lodge he co-owned on Maryland’s barrier save that little bit of barrier island island, which is now part of Assateague Americana?’” Island National Seashore. While NPS’ Carl Zimmerman appreciHigh Winds, now owned by the ates the history of High Winds, he says National Park Service (NPS), is representhe obstacles to restoration are too great tative of a once-common 20th-century to overcome. gunning shanty indigenous to Maryland’s The land and property was purchased barrier islands, explains Scott’s daughter, by NPS in the 1970s, and the leaseholdDiane Savage, who nominated the propers, the former owners, had use and occuerty, which is backed by the Lower pancy for 25 years, he explains. When the Eastern Shore Heritage Council. lease ended, the property was in bad Comprised of individual waterborne shape and did not appear maintained to hunting shanties, the lodge was created any standard whatsoever. “Since then, the by joining floating shanties together and property has further deteriorated: There placing them on a permanent concrete are structural-integrity issues, since there block foundation, says Savage, whose famis not enough of the original fabric to be ily has been involved with the property maintained.” Zimmerman adds, “The last for 45 years. This house and barge combitime I was out there two years ago, it was nation likely developed out of the longunsafe to go into, let alone use in any standing boat-building tradition in capacity.” Worcester County, perhaps paralleling He continues, “From a culturaldevelopments in other Atlantic Coast resource-management issue, we agree communities. High Winds’ builders, that the property, but not [its] historical Samuel and Elizabeth Riddle, owned the architecture, has value. Historically, there famous racehorse Man o’ War. They are are important stories to be told. The NPS credited with drawing together these commissioned a study looking at hunt houseboats to create a permanent lodge, clubs on Assateague, which speaks to the says Savage, who is writing a book on history of High Winds and other hunting Assateague’s gun clubs. camps and lodges on island.” However, it “This club’s significance lies not only in “would take massive amounts of money to the building itself nor its builder, restore High Winds, and very little of the www.nps.gov/asis/parkmgmt/index.htm. property study can be found online at The waterfowl hunting camps and restoration,” he says. the actual structure is too far gone for and agree in the historical significance, tion that they have about High Winds, Savages to more fully develop informa“While we encourage and support the requires wading. accessible, except by foot, and that although High Winds is the only example of this form of house/barge construction known to survive in Maryland,” she says. “More importantly, this unique, weatherbeaten hunting camp surrounded by vast salt marshes and fertile inland waters [for] future generations represents early pioneers who lived in harmony with nature. High Winds is a living artifact and enduring reminder of the region’s maroriginal fabric would remain.” Access is also an issue, says Zimmerman. “It’s in a challenging location. Boating access isn’t easy, and land access doesn’t exist. The road that once led to High Winds was constructed before anyone cared about wetlands; it has severely affected the wetlands on either side. That road is no longer in usable condition, [and whole areas] are not http://www.nps.gov/asis/parkmgmt/index.htm

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Endangered Maryland 2009

10 New Sites Worth Saving Endangered Maryland 2009 Meet the Endangered Maryland Selection Committee 1. Brumbaugh-Kendle-Grove Farmstead 2. Falkland Apartments 3. Friendship Hall Linwood Village 4. Handsell 5. High Winds Gun Club 7. The Mechanic Theatre 8. Mount Nebo African Methodist Episcopal Church 9. St. Patrick's Catholic Church 10. Upton Mansion Historical Community Awards Endangered Maryland 2008 Update

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