Seneca, Maryland

Seneca, Maryland
Small old stone building appearing to be one or two rooms.
Seneca Schoolhouse Museum in Seneca, Montgomery County, Maryland
Map of Maryland showing Seneca near Potomac River
Map of Maryland showing Seneca near Potomac River
Seneca
Map of Maryland showing Seneca near Potomac River
Map of Maryland showing Seneca near Potomac River
Seneca
Coordinates: 39°04′43″N 77°20′21″W / 39.07861°N 77.33917°W / 39.07861; -77.33917
CountryUnited States
StateMaryland
CountyMontgomery
Time zoneUTC-5 (Eastern (EST))
 • Summer (DST)UTC-4 (EDT)
ZIP code
20834

Seneca is an unincorporated community in Montgomery County, Maryland, United States. It is located near the intersection of River Road and Seneca Creek, not far from the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal (C&O Canal) and Potomac River. Its history goes back before the American Revolutionary War and it thrived when the canal was operating—having several warehouses, mills, a store, a hotel, and a school. Fighting occurred in the area on more than one occasion during the American Civil War. The community declined as the C&O Canal declined.

Today (2020), the community uses a Poolesville ZIP code, but is part of the Darnestown census-designated place. The Seneca schoolhouse is a museum, and nearby Riley's Lock and lock house are part of the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park. The community is located near the Dierssen Wildlife Management Area and the McKee-Beshers Wildlife Management Area. Since 1978, Seneca and additional territory have been part of the Seneca Historic District.