Boonsboro Maryland
“Discover Our History, Savor the Romance”
Town of Boonsboro MD
Boonsboro a town located in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Western Maryland and Washington County. The town borders the foot of South Mountain and neighboring Frederick County and very close to the famous Civil War Battlefield, Antietam National Battlefield. The town forms a gateway to the colonial and civil war heritage sites including the National Road, Washington Monument State Park, South Mountain and Antietam National Battlefield. In addition the C&O Canal Towpath and the Harpers Ferry Historical Park are a few miles away. Boonsboro is also known by many hikers and is close to the Appalachian Trail. Boonsboro offers visitors an array of local attractions: a town museum featuring historical artifacts, a restored 1902 trolley station, a beautiful park and the Inn BoonsBoro – a historic bed-and-breakfast located on the square owned by New York Times Bestselling author Nora Roberts.
History of Boonsboro MD
The town was discovered and named after Daniel Boon’s cousins, George and William Boone. Originally the town was called Margaretsville after William’s wife, but was later changed to Boonsborough; then finally to Boonsboro.
Boonsboro’s started seeing and increase in growth and prosperity construction of the National Road, a turnpike connecting Baltimore to the west. In 1823, a new process called “macadam” was used to finish an unpaved section of the turnpike from Boonsboro to Hagerstown. This was the first time the road building process was used in the United States.
The town of Boonsboro erected the first monument to honor President George Washington at the top of South Mountain in 1827. The Washington stone monument is 34 feet in height, and is located on part of the Appalachian Trail.
On September 14, 1862, the Battle of South Mountain began. This was the first battle of the Civil War fought on northern soil. During the Civil War, Boonsboro’s churches and public buildings were used as makeshift hospitals for wounded soldiers. Soldiers were transported to Boonsboro throughout two of the bloodiest battles at South Mountain and Antietam.
In the 1900s agriculture products and fruit were the principal source of income for the rural area around Boonsboro. The town of Boonsboro became well known for it’s delicious “Hearts of Gold” cantaloupes.
In 1939, the citizens of Boonsboro created Shafer Memorial Park as the focal point of the town. Today the park hosts major public events such as Boonesborough Days, The Great Boonsboro Rescue Company Carnival, and The Founder’s Day Celebration, the National Pike Festival.
Highlights of Boonsboro MD
- Shafer Memorial Park
- Boonesborough Days
- The Great Boonsboro Rescue Company Carnival
- The Founder’s Day Celebration
- National Pike Festival