Brunswick, Maryland facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Brunswick, Maryland
City
City of Brunswick
The historic commercial district along Potomac Street in Brunswick
Flag Seal
Motto(s):  Big Town. Small City.
Location of Brunswick, Maryland
Country	United States
State	Maryland
County	Frederick
Area
• Total	3.71 sq mi (9.61 km2)
• Land	3.27 sq mi (8.48 km2)
• Water	0.44 sq mi (1.13 km2)
Elevation	295 ft (90 m)
Population  (2022)
• Total	8,211
Time zone	UTC−5 (Eastern (EST))
• Summer (DST)	UTC−4 (EDT)
ZIP code	21716
Area code(s)	301, 240
FIPS code	24-10900
GNIS feature ID	2390569

Brunswick is a city in southwestern Frederick County, Maryland, United States. It is located on the north bank of the Potomac River. On the opposite side of the river is Loudoun County, Virginia.

In 2022, the population of Brunswick was 8,211 people. The city has three schools: Brunswick Elementary School, Brunswick Middle School, and Brunswick High School.

History of Brunswick

Early Settlements and Names

The area where Brunswick is today was first home to the Susquehannock Native Americans. The first European settlement was built in 1728. People called this place "Eel Town" because the native people fished for eels in the Potomac River.

Later, on August 10, 1753, King George II of Great Britain gave a special land grant to John Hawkins. This grant was called "Hawkins Merry-Peep-o-Day."

How Brunswick Got Its Name

In 1787, the land was sold, and a man named Leonard Smith mapped out the town. He named it "Berlin" because many German families had moved there. However, there was already a town named Berlin on the Eastern Shore of Maryland. This meant the post office could not use the name "Berlin" for mail.

So, the post office changed the town's name to "Barry." The town kept growing, and on April 18, 1890, it officially became a city. At that time, its name was changed to "Brunswick," which it still is today.

The Railroad Era

Brunswick was built along the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal, which is no longer used. The city became a very important center for the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad. Between 1891 and 1912, the railroad built a huge six-mile-long rail yard along the Potomac River.

This railroad activity caused Brunswick's population to grow to over 5,000 people. It made Brunswick almost a "company town," meaning most people worked for the railroad. In the 1950s, the railroad started to use its yard less.

Today, Brunswick has a commuter rail station. This station connects people to Washington, D.C.. The city is also home to the Brunswick Heritage Museum. This museum shares the city's history and has a large model railroad. The model railroad shows how important Brunswick's location was for the railway system.

Fun Things to Do in Brunswick

Annual Events and Festivals

The historic Baltimore and Ohio Railroad Station (1891), one of the city's landmarks.

The biggest event in Brunswick is "Railroad Days." This festival happens on the first weekend of October. It celebrates the city's long history with trains and railroads.

Another important yearly event is the Veterans Day Parade. This parade has been held every year since 1932. Other events throughout the year include the Wine and Chocolate Walk in September, a Farmers' Market, and "Arts In The Parks." There is also a Little League opening day and other city and museum events.

Exploring Historic Downtown

The city promotes its historic downtown area. This area is great for outdoor activities near the C&O Canal and the Potomac River.

The Brunswick Heritage Museum (which used to be called the Brunswick Railroad Museum) helps keep the city's history alive. It was started in 1974. The historic shops along Potomac Street offer a bike shop, antique stores, and restaurants. You can also find a brewpub, a yoga studio, and a martial arts studio. There's a convenience store and a sporting goods store too.

Many nights, you can enjoy live music at Beans in the Belfry. This café is in a beautiful old church building from 1910.

People From Brunswick

Brunswick has been home to several notable people, including:

• Galen R. Clagett – A politician from Maryland.
• Andrew J. Duck – An army officer and politician.
• Jake Ewald – A musician and co-founder of the bands Modern Baseball and Slaughter Beach, Dog.
• John B. Funk (1905–1993) – A Maryland delegate and state senator, and also the secretary of state of Maryland.
• Michael Hough – A Maryland state senator.
• Brendan Lukens – A musician and co-founder of the band Modern Baseball.
• Joseph B. Payne (died 1968) – A member of the Maryland House of Delegates.

Brunswick's Location and Size

Brunswick is located at coordinates 39°18′50″N 77°37′36″W / 39.31389°N 77.62667°W / 39.31389; -77.62667.

The city covers a total area of about 3.71 square miles (9.61 square kilometers). Most of this area, about 3.27 square miles (8.48 square kilometers), is land. The rest, about 0.44 square miles (1.13 square kilometers), is water.

Businesses in Brunswick

As Brunswick's population grows, new businesses are being built. The city has many small local businesses. You can also find larger retail chain stores. A Holiday Inn Express hotel has also recently been built in Brunswick.

Getting Around Brunswick

Roads and Highways

Most people travel to and from Brunswick by road. Several state highways serve the city. The most important one is Maryland Route 17. MD 17 goes south across the Potomac River into Virginia, where it becomes Virginia State Route 287.

Just north of Brunswick, MD 17 connects with other important roads. These include Maryland Route 464, Maryland Route 79, Maryland Route 180, Maryland Route 871, and U.S. Route 340. These roads help people get to many places across Frederick County. Parts of MD 180, MD 464, and Maryland Route 478 also pass through the city.

Train Travel

The MARC system runs commuter trains that stop in Brunswick. These trains travel from Martinsburg, West Virginia, through Brunswick, and then south to Union Station in Washington, D.C.. This makes it easy for people to commute for work or visit the capital.

Brunswick's Population Over Time

Population Details from 2010

According to the 2010 census, there were 5,870 people living in Brunswick. There were 2,155 households and 1,515 families. This means there were about 1,795 people per square mile (693 people per square kilometer). The city had 2,330 housing units.

Most of the people living in Brunswick were White (86.3%). Other groups included African American (7.5%), Asian (1.7%), and Native American (0.2%). About 4.9% of the population was Hispanic or Latino.

In 38.5% of the households, there were children under 18 years old. About 51.6% of households were married couples living together. The average household had 2.72 people, and the average family had 3.22 people.

The average age of people in Brunswick was 36.9 years. About 27.1% of residents were under 18. About 9.8% were 65 years old or older. The population was almost evenly split between males (49.1%) and females (50.9%).

Brunswick's Weather

See also

In Spanish: Brunswick (Maryland) para niños