The Story of Maryland’s Green Ridge State Forest

John Mash, a professional forester and former manager at Green Ridge State Forest, spent over 15 years researching the history of the forest and surrounding area. John spent countless hours reviewing land records, court proceedings, bills of sales, photographs, old maps, diaries, family Bibles and interviewing descendants of early settlers from this area. Their folklore, stories and way of life may be found in John’s book.

The book focuses on four areas of natural and human history. The first section deals with the land, its formation through time and its mineral and soil wealth. The second section is devoted to the history of its wild creatures from the primeval swamps to modern day conser-vation. The third section deals with the forest evolution of the hardwood forest, speculation of the original forest, the logging railroads, wildfires and pioneer settlement.

The fourth section is the largest. It deals with the human history of an area that now contains forgotten cemeteries, ruins of homesteads and ghost towns that are reminders of a complex society that once thrived, but no longer exists. This section discusses Indian attacks, land barons, European royalty, land squatters, moonshiners, slaves, poor farmers, murderers, prisoners of war, and many others that lived there. Included are recipes for moonshine, thoughts of the area from George Washington, a description of the “largest apple orchard in the universe,” and one of Rommel’s soldier’s description of life as a prisoner at Green Ridge Forest during World War II.

A new addition in the second printing of “The Land of the Living” is the 8 page, color photographic celebration of John Mash’s life — a tribute to his well-rounded life and a reminder of the man who was admired by so many.

Many people consider history as a dead subject. It isn’t! History is interesting and alive, as reflected in John Mash’s book, “The Land of the Living.” John Mash touched many people’s lives and because of his work, the history of this area and the people will be remembered.

available at the following locations:

Bill’s Place
Little Orleans (310) 478-2701
Book Center*
Cumberland (301) 722-2284
Book Market*
Oakland (301) 334-8778
Green Ridge State Forest Headquarters
Flintstone (301) 478-3125
Knot Hole*
Flintstone (301) 478-3040
Main Street Books*
Frostburg (301) 689-5605
Road Kill Café
Artemas, PA (814) 784-3257
Rocky Gap State Park Headquarters
Flintstone (301) 777-2012

* these stores will ship“The Land of the Living”