Population 2,426
The town of
Boonsboro was founded by brothers George and William Boone, relatives of the
more famous Daniel Boone, and was situated along the main road leading from
Hagerstown to Frederick. The original land deeds of the town listed the name as
Boones Berry.
The brothers
subdivided a farm that included parts of what are now Shafer Park, Potomac
Street and Young Avenue. Berry an old English word for citadel, later came
to mean estate.
A map of the
town that came out around 1798 listed the name as Margaretville, in honor of
George Boone's wife, Margaret.
By the time
another map came out in 1805, the name had changed to Boons Borough, with the e
dropped out of the name.
The name
shortened to Boonsboro around 1841 or 1842 when a local newspaper editor
couldn't get the town's name to fit on his masthead. The apostrophe showed the
name had been shortened. Some official documents as late as 1903 list the
town's name as Boonsborough.
The town was
laid out in 1788 and incorporated in 1831. Its early citizens built the
first monument ``ever" to honor President George Washington.
Boonsboro Museum of History
Unique
collection of historic objects of local and national significance, plus Civil
War relics, the evolution of firearms and American Indian artifacts. It is open
Sunday from 1 to 5 pm, May through September, or by appointment. There is
an admission charge. Group tours may be made by appointment. Phone
301-432-6969 for information.
Crystal Grottoes Caverns
One of the
largest solution caves in the world, this is Maryland's only commercial
underground cave. Open year round. Admission is charged. Phone
301-432-6336 for information.
Washington Monument State
Park
The first
monument completed in memory of George Washington. It was dedicated July 4,
1827, and is located atop South Mountain, the natural border between Frederick
and Washington Counties. Call 301-791-4767 for information.
South Mountain
Battlefield
Battles in the
area between the Army of northern Virginia and the Army of the Potomac included
Turner's Gap, Fox's Gap, and Crampton's Gap on September 14, 1862.
The Union
succeeded in driving the Southerners over South Mountain, and the Battle of
Antietam was fought on September 17.
A monument to
Union Major General Jesse Reno, killed during the battle, is now under the care
of the National Park Service. It is located near the crest of South
Mountain. Reno was the only Union general killed in action in Frederick
County. Confederate Brigadier General Samuel Garland was also killed in the same
action. A driving tour map is available at the Antietam National Battlefield
Visitors Center.
Fire on the Mountain - the Battle of South
Mountain
Just three days
before the Battle of Antietam, 25,000 Union troops clashed with 10,000
Confederate soldiers at the two mountain gaps between Boonsboro and Middletown,
MD. About 5,000 soldiers perished during that September 14, 1862, battle at
South Mountain, which is re-enacted each year by the Central Maryland Heritage
League.
