Middletown Valley facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Middletown Valley |
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| Catoctin Valley | |
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 Middletown Valley
Location in Maryland
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| Floor elevation | 479 ft (146 m) |
| Length | 14 miles (23 km) North-South |
| Width | 7 miles (11 km) |
| Geography | |
| Location | Frederick County, Maryland |
| Population centers | Middletown Brunswick |
| Borders on | South Mountain (west) Catoctin Mountain (east) Potomac River (south) South Mountain/Catoctin Mountain convergence (north) |
| Traversed by | Interstate 70, U.S. Route 40, U.S. Route 340 |
The Middletown Valley is a beautiful area of land located in western Frederick County, Maryland. It's a long, flat space nestled between two mountain ranges. For a long time, it was also known as the Catoctin Valley.
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Exploring Middletown Valley
A valley is a low area of land found between hills or mountains. The Middletown Valley is a great example of this! It stretches about 14 miles (23 km) long and 7 miles (11 km) wide.
What are the Valley's Borders?
The Middletown Valley has clear natural borders:
- To the west, you'll find South Mountain.
- To the east, there's Catoctin Mountain.
- The Potomac River forms its southern edge.
- In the north, South Mountain and Catoctin Mountain come together, marking the end of the valley.
This valley is actually like an extension of the Loudoun Valley, which is just south of the Potomac River in Virginia.
Why is it Called Middletown Valley?
The valley gets its name from Middletown, which is the biggest town located within the valley. It's a central spot for the people who live there.
A Bit of History: The Name Change
For many years, especially up until the time of the American Civil War, people often called this area the Catoctin Valley.
Why Did the Name Change?
The name "Catoctin Valley" caused some confusion. There was another area, the northern part of the Loudoun Valley in Virginia, that was also called Catoctin Valley. To avoid mixing them up, people gradually started using "Middletown Valley" more often. This helped everyone know exactly which valley they were talking about!
Towns and Travel in the Valley
The Middletown Valley is home to a few towns and important roads.
Main Towns in the Valley
The two main towns you'll find in the valley are:
- Middletown: This is the largest town and gives the valley its current name.
- Brunswick: Another town located within the valley.
Roads That Cross the Valley
Several major roads help people travel through and around the Middletown Valley:
- Interstate 70 (I-70)
- U.S. Route 40
- U.S. Route 340
These roads make it easy to explore the valley's towns and natural beauty.
