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The sport of Fox Hunting, or “riding to hounds”, originated in England early in the 14th century. While many believe the sport is primarily an English tradition, it was introduced by colonial settlers in Virgina, Maryland, and Pennsylvania in the middle of the 1700s. In fact, George Washington is described as “passionately fond of the sport”.

In the Whitemarsh area there has been a long association with fox hunting. Samuel Morris was a member of the first fox hunting club in America in 1769. In 1796 Anthony Morris, Samuel’s son, built The Highlands (Sheaff Lane at Skippack Pike in Fort Washington).

In 1903 the Whitemarsh Valley Hunt was recognized by the United Hunts of America as a ‘drag hunt’. A drag hunt differs from live hunting because the “fox” is actually scent on a rag that a rider drags through the fields a short distance ahead of the hounds.

The early Whitemarsh Valley Hunt country included Whitemarsh, Whitpain, Plymouth, Springfield, Upper Gwynedd, and Lower Gwynedd townships.

This club was actively hunting three days a week in the fall and winter until 1953 when the Pennsylvania Turnpike was constructed through the valley separating the club house, stables, and kennels on Mill Road in Flourtown from the rest of the hunt country. At that time, members decided it was time to disband the club.

A group of members in Penllyn took over the hounds and continued as the “Wissahickon Hounds” until 1987 when another group of riders took over and formed the Highland Hunt.

Today the Highland Hunt continues the tradition so that young riders can learn the joys of working with horses and hounds and the importance of preserving open space.

The Highland Hunt is a non-profit corporation which helps to raise money for the Highlands Historical Society (www.highlandshistorical.org) and the Wissahickon Valley Watershed Association (www.wvwa.org).