Doubleday Hill Monument facts for kids

The Doubleday Hill Monument is a special stone monument in Williamsport, Maryland. It was built a long time ago, in 1897, to remember an important event from the American Civil War. This monument honors Major General Abner Doubleday and his soldiers for crossing the Potomac River and taking control of the hill where the monument now stands. From Doubleday Hill, you can look out over the Potomac River and see into West Virginia.

The Doubleday Hill Monument

The Doubleday Hill Monument is a tall stone structure located in River View Cemetery in Williamsport, Maryland. It was put up in 1897 to remember a key moment during the American Civil War. This monument celebrates Major General Abner Doubleday and his troops. They crossed the Potomac River and took over the hill where the monument now stands. This spot offers a great view of the Potomac River and the state of West Virginia.

What Does the Monument Commemorate?

The monument mainly remembers Major General Abner Doubleday's actions during the Civil War. He led his soldiers across the Potomac River. Then, they occupied, or took control of, the hill. This was an important military move at the time. The monument helps us remember the bravery and efforts of the soldiers who fought there.

The Baseball Story

Interestingly, the monument also says that Abner Doubleday invented the game of baseball in 1835. However, this is a popular legend, and it's probably not true! Doubleday himself never said he invented baseball. In fact, in 1839, when some stories say he invented it, he was actually a student at the West Point military school. So, while it's a fun story, it's not a fact connected to the monument.

How is This Monument Different?

Many monuments built around the same time (from the late 1800s to early 1900s) looked very similar. They often showed a soldier standing in uniform, holding a rifle. This was a very common design. The Doubleday Hill Monument is different because it's not a statue of a soldier. Instead, it's a stone structure that marks a specific place and event.

Also, most monuments from that time honored soldiers from the same town, county, or state where the monument was built. But the Doubleday Hill Monument is special because it celebrates Doubleday's actions, even though he was from Ballston Spa, New York, not Williamsport, Maryland. It focuses on the importance of the location and the event itself.

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  The Doubleday Hill Monument with a flag and cannon nearby.

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  A closer look at the sign on the Doubleday Hill Monument.