Bald Friar
Mining District
State Line
Access
Private
Description
Bald Friar was the site of a ford and ferry over the Susquehanna River, probably predating European settlement. Extensive prehistoric petroglyphs in the river nearby were removed before the site was flooded by the Conowingo Dam and are partly preserved. Clyde Reed described the area as a serpentine barrens; there are few references to it, but voucher specimens exist of some grassland indicator species.
Mining
Small amounts of talc and feldspar were quarried here. A talc mill located near the river was dismantled at the building of the Conowingo Dam, which submerged it.
Visiting
The area is owned by Exelon but is not open to public recreation.