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Boonsboro, Maryland facts for kids

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Boonsboro, Maryland
Downtown Boonsboro
Downtown Boonsboro
Flag of Boonsboro, Maryland
Flag
Official seal of Boonsboro, Maryland
Seal
Location of Boonsboro in Maryland
Location of Boonsboro in Maryland
Country United States
State Maryland
County Washington
Founded 1792
Incorporated 1831
Area
 • Town 3.06 sq mi (7.92 km2)
 • Land 3.05 sq mi (7.91 km2)
 • Water 0.01 sq mi (0.01 km2)  0.34%
 • Urban
1.34 sq mi (3.43 km2)
Elevation
505 ft (154 m)
Population
 (2020)
 • Town 3,799
 • Density 1,244.35/sq mi (480.46/km2)
Time zone UTC-5 (Eastern)
 • Summer (DST) UTC-4 (Eastern)
ZIP code
21713
Area code(s) 301 and 240
FIPS code 24-08625
GNIS feature ID 2390740
Website [1]

Boonsboro is a small town in Washington County, Maryland, United States. It sits at the base of South Mountain. The town is also very close to the famous Antietam National Battlefield. In 2020, about 3,799 people lived in Boonsboro.

History of Boonsboro

How Boonsboro Started

People in Boonsboro say the town was founded by George Boone. He was a cousin of the famous explorer Daniel Boone. The town was first called "Margaretsville" after George Boone's wife.

In 1831, the town officially became a "municipal corporation." This means it got its own local government. At that time, it was named Boonesborough. However, local newspapers and people living there preferred the name Boonsboro. The older name was sometimes used on documents until 1903.

General Buford's Engagement with Stuart's Confederate Cavalry at Boonsboro, MD. July 9th, 1863, from "The Soldier in Our Civil War"-saam 1972.85.10
General Buford's Engagement with Stuart's Confederate Cavalry at Boonsboro, MD. July 9, 1863

Boonsboro and the Civil War

Boonsboro played an important role during the American Civil War. Two battles were fought right within the town's current boundaries. After the big Battle of Antietam in September 1862, Boonsboro was used to care for wounded soldiers. The Battle of South Mountain also took place southeast of the town.

The Old National Road

Boonsboro is located on what used to be called the National Road. Today, this road is known as the Old National Pike or Alt-U.S. 40. In Boonsboro, it's called Main Street. This route was first improved in 1758. It helped shorten travel between Fredericktown and Fort Frederick during the Seven Years' War.

Recent Events and Historic Places

The town has seen some fires in recent years. A fire in 2008 badly damaged an old inn. However, the Inn BoonsBoro later reopened. It is now owned by Nora Roberts, a very popular romance novelist.

Several places in Boonsboro are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. This means they are important historical sites. Some of these include the Boonsboro Historic District, Bowman House, and the Washington Monument.

Geography and Location

Boonsboro covers an area of about 2.91 square miles (7.54 square kilometers). Most of this area is land.

Every year in November, Boonsboro is the starting point for the JFK 50-mile race. This is a very long and challenging race!

Population Facts

In 2020, the town of Boonsboro had a population of 3,799 people. The population density was about 1,244 people per square mile. This means a lot of people live in a relatively small area.

Schools in Boonsboro

Boonsboro has a large educational complex covering 90 acres. It includes schools for different age groups:

  • Boonsboro Elementary School
  • Boonsboro Middle School
  • Boonsboro High School

Getting Around Boonsboro

2019-05-18 17 10 50 View east along U.S. Route 40 Alternate (Main Street) just east of Maryland State Route 68 (Lappans Road) in Boonsboro, Washington County, Maryland
US 40 Alternate entering Boonsboro

Most people travel to and from Boonsboro by car. The main road is U.S. Route 40 Alternate, which runs through the center of town as Main Street. This road connects Boonsboro to larger cities like Hagerstown and Frederick. Other state roads also connect Boonsboro to nearby towns and major highways.

Famous People from Boonsboro

Boonsboro has been home to several interesting people:

  • Janet Doub Erickson: An artist and educator who helped start the Blockhouse of Boston.
  • William Thomas Hamilton: He was the 38th Governor of Maryland and also served as a U.S. Senator and Congressman.
  • Edwin R. Keedy: He was a well-known dean at the University of Pennsylvania Law School.
  • Nora Roberts: A best-selling author who writes many romance novels. She also owns several businesses in Boonsboro, including the Inn BoonsBoro.
  • Charlotte Winters: She lived to be 109 years old and was one of the oldest surviving female American veterans from World War I. She served in the Navy.

Fun Places to Visit

If you visit Boonsboro, here are some cool places you might want to check out:

See also

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