Hagerstown Valley facts for kids
Hagerstown Valley is a beautiful area found in Maryland, United States. It's part of a much larger natural area called the Great Appalachian Valley. This big valley stretches far, going north into Pennsylvania where it's known as the Cumberland Valley. To the south, it continues into West Virginia and Virginia as the Shenandoah Valley.
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What is Hagerstown Valley?
Hagerstown Valley is a long, low area of land, like a big ditch between mountains. It's a special part of the larger Appalachian mountain system.
Where is Hagerstown Valley?
The valley has natural borders that help define it.
- To the east, you'll find South Mountain. This mountain is part of the Blue Ridge Mountains.
- To the west, the valley is bordered by the Bear Pond Mountains. These mountains connect two other ranges: Blue Mountain and North Mountain.
- The Potomac River forms the southern edge of the valley.
- To the north, the boundary is a "drainage divide." This is a high area of land that separates where water flows. Water on one side flows into Conococheague Creek, which goes south to the Potomac River. Water on the other side flows into Conodoguinet Creek, which goes northeast to the Susquehanna River.
How Big is the Valley?
Sometimes, people define the size of Hagerstown Valley in different ways.
- Natural Borders: Using the mountains and rivers, the valley includes parts of both Washington County, Maryland and Franklin County, Pennsylvania.
- State Line: Sometimes, the valley is simply defined by the state line between Maryland and Pennsylvania. If you use this definition, Hagerstown Valley is only in Washington County, Maryland.
- Larger View: Some people even consider Hagerstown Valley to be a part of the Cumberland Valley, extending all the way south to the Potomac River.
Important Places in the Valley
Several important places are located within Hagerstown Valley.
Waterways and History
Antietam Creek is a stream that flows through Hagerstown Valley and eventually into the Potomac River. This creek is famous for a very important historical event.
The Battle of Antietam
The valley is home to the Antietam National Battlefield. This is where the Battle of Antietam was fought during the American Civil War. It was one of the most important and bloodiest single-day battles in American history.
Main Cities
The two main cities in Hagerstown Valley are:
The natural water divide that separates Hagerstown Valley from Cumberland Valley is located near the city of Chambersburg, Pennsylvania.
