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National Register of Historic Places listings in Washington County, Maryland facts for kids

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Map of Maryland highlighting Washington County
Location of Washington County in Maryland

This article tells you about special places in Washington County, Maryland that are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. This list includes buildings, areas, and sites that are important to the history of the United States. When a place is on this list, it means it's recognized for its historical value and efforts are made to protect it.

Washington County has 103 places on the National Register. Three of these are extra special and are called National Historic Landmarks. You can see where many of these places are located on a map using their exact coordinates.

What is the National Register of Historic Places?

The National Register of Historic Places is like a special club for important historical sites in the U.S. It's managed by the National Park Service. When a place is added, it means it has a unique story or design that's worth remembering and protecting for future generations.

Famous Historic Places in Washington County

Washington County is full of history, especially from the American Civil War. Many of its listed places are connected to battles or important events from that time.

Antietam National Battlefield

Antietam Bloody Lane
The "Bloody Lane" at Antietam National Battlefield

The Antietam National Battlefield is a very important Civil War site. It's located near Sharpsburg, Maryland. A huge battle happened here in 1862, which was one of the bloodiest single-day battles in American history. Today, you can visit the battlefield and learn about the soldiers and events of that day. It's a powerful place to understand a key moment in U.S. history.

Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park

C&O Canal - Lock 33
A lock on the C&O Canal

The Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park runs along the Potomac River. This old canal was built to transport goods like coal and timber. It stretches from Georgetown, Washington, D.C. all the way to Cumberland, Maryland. Parts of it go through Washington County, near towns like Antietam and Sharpsburg. It's a great place for hiking, biking, and learning about how goods were moved long ago.

Fort Frederick State Park

Fort Frederick, Hagerstown vicinity (Washington County, Maryland)
Fort Frederick

Fort Frederick State Park is home to a stone fort built in 1756. It was used during the French and Indian War to protect settlers. The fort is located southeast of Big Pool, Maryland. It's one of the best examples of a stone fort from that time period. You can explore the fort and imagine what life was like for soldiers hundreds of years ago.

Harpers Ferry National Historical Park

HarpersFerryShenandoahStreet
Historic buildings in Harpers Ferry

Part of the Harpers Ferry National Historical Park is in Washington County, Maryland, right where the Shenandoah River meets the Potomac River. This area is famous for John Brown's raid in 1859, which was a major event leading up to the Civil War. It's a beautiful and historic town with lots to explore.

Kennedy Farm

Kennedy Farm MD1
Kennedy Farm, also known as John Brown's Headquarters

The Kennedy Farm is also known as John Brown's Headquarters. It's located near Samples Manor, Maryland. This farm was where John Brown and his followers planned their famous raid on Harpers Ferry. It's a significant site for understanding the anti-slavery movement before the Civil War.

Washington Monument State Park

Washington Monument, Washington County
The Washington Monument in Washington County

The Washington Monument State Park near Boonsboro, Maryland is home to the very first monument built to honor George Washington. It's a stone tower completed in 1827. You can hike up to the monument and enjoy amazing views of the surrounding area.

Historic Homes and Buildings

Many old houses and buildings in Washington County are on the National Register. These places show us how people lived and worked in the past.

  • Hager House: Located in Hagerstown, this house was built by Jonathan Hager, who founded the city. It's a great example of 18th-century architecture.
  • Maryland Theatre: Also in Hagerstown, this beautiful theater was built in 1915. It's a grand place where people used to watch shows and movies.
  • Antietam Hall: This historic home in Hagerstown has been around since 1800. It shows the style of homes from that early period.
  • Bowman House: Found in Boonsboro, this house is another example of old architecture in the county.
  • William Chapline House: Located in Sharpsburg, this house is part of the town's rich history.
  • Colonial Theatre: This theater in Hagerstown is another historic entertainment spot.
  • Ditto Knolls: East of Hagerstown, this house is a historic landmark.
  • Elliot-Bester House: A historic house in Hagerstown, showing the city's past.
  • Elmwood: Near Williamsport, this is another historic home.
  • Garden Hill: This house in Hagerstown is recognized for its historical importance.
  • Good-Hartle Farm: A historic farm near Hagerstown.
  • Good-Reilly House: An old house in Sharpsburg.
  • Joseph C. Hays House: Another historic house in Sharpsburg.
  • Jacob Highbarger House: Also in Sharpsburg, this house has historical value.
  • Hills, Dales and The Vinyard: A historic property near Keedysville.
  • Keedy House: Northwest of Boonsboro, this house is part of the area's history.
  • Lantz-Zeigler House: A historic house near Hagerstown.
  • Long Meadows: North of Hagerstown, this property is on the register.
  • Magnolia Plantation: Northwest of Knoxville, this plantation has a long history.
  • Mannheim: Located in San Mar, this is another historic property.
  • The Maples: Southwest of Smithsburg, this property is recognized for its history.
  • Mount Airy: In Sharpsburg, this is a historic estate.
  • Old Forge Farm: East of Hagerstown, this farm is on the register.
  • Paradise Manor: North of Hagerstown, this property is recognized for its history.
  • Piper House: In Sharpsburg, this house is a historic landmark.
  • Plumb Grove: Near Clear Spring, this is a historic property.
  • Price-Miller House: In Hagerstown, this house is on the register.
  • Rockland Farm: In Hagerstown, this farm is recognized for its history.
  • Rockledge: Another historic property in Hagerstown.
  • Rohrer House: East of Hagerstown, this house is on the register.
  • Rose Hill: South of Williamsport, this is a historic home.
  • Snively Farm: North of Eakles Mills, this farm is on the register.
  • Sprechers Mill House: Northeast of Williamsport, this house is on the register.
  • Springfield Farm: South of Williamsport, this farm is recognized for its history.
  • Tammany: Northeast of Williamsport, this property is on the register.
  • Valentia: South of Hagerstown, this property is recognized for its history.
  • The Willows: Southwest of Cavetown, this property is on the register.
  • Wilson-Miller Farm: Southeast of Sharpsburg, this farm is on the register.
  • Woburn Manor: In Sharpsburg, this property is on the register.

Historic Districts

Some entire areas or neighborhoods are listed as historic districts. This means many buildings in that area are important together.

  • Boonsboro Historic District: This district covers the main streets of Boonsboro.
  • Doub's Mill Historic District: Located southwest of Beaver Creek, this area includes a historic mill.
  • Funkstown Historic District: This district covers the historic parts of Funkstown.
  • Hagerstown City Park Historic District: This park in Hagerstown is recognized for its historical design and features.
  • Hagerstown Commercial Core Historic District: This district includes the main business area of downtown Hagerstown.
  • Hagerstown Historic District: A larger area in Hagerstown with many historic buildings.
  • Keedysville Historic District: This district covers the main street of Keedysville.
  • Lehman's Mill Historic District: Near Hagerstown, this district includes a historic mill.
  • Leitersburg Historic District: This district covers the historic parts of Leitersburg.
  • Oak Hill Historic District: A neighborhood in Hagerstown with historic homes.
  • Potomac-Broadway Historic District: Another historic neighborhood in Hagerstown.
  • Sharpsburg Historic District: This district covers the historic streets of Sharpsburg.
  • South Prospect Street Historic District: A street in Hagerstown with many historic buildings.
  • Williamsport Historic District: This district covers the historic parts of Williamsport.

Other Notable Sites

  • Antietam Iron Furnace Site and Antietam Village:
    Antietam Aqueduct at Antietam Iron Furnace Site and Antietam Village
    The Antietam Aqueduct at the Antietam Iron Furnace Site

This site at the meeting point of Antietam Creek and the Potomac River shows where iron was made long ago. It includes the remains of an old furnace and a village.

  • Baltimore & Ohio Railroad Bridge, Antietam Creek: This historic railroad bridge crosses Antietam Creek near Keedysville.
  • B & O Railroad Potomac River Crossing: This crossing is where the railroad crosses the Potomac River near Harpers Ferry.
  • Western Maryland Railway Station: In Hagerstown, this old train station is a historic landmark.
  • Western Maryland Railway Steam Locomotive No. 202:
    Western MD Steam Engine No. 202
    Western Maryland Railway Steam Locomotive No. 202

This old steam train is on display in Hagerstown City Park. It's a cool example of an old locomotive.

  • Washington County Courthouse: The courthouse in Hagerstown is an important government building with a long history.
  • Old National Pike Milestones: These are old markers along historic roads that show distances.
  • Wilson's Bridge: This historic bridge is located on U.S. Route 40 near Hagerstown.

These are just some of the many amazing historic places you can find in Washington County, Maryland! Each one tells a part of the story of this area and the United States.

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