Washington Monument State Park facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Washington Monument State Park |
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IUCN Category III (Natural Monument)
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 Washington Monument State Park
Location in Maryland
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| Location | Frederick County & Washington County, Maryland, United States |
| Nearest town | Boonsboro, Maryland |
| Area | 191 acres (77 ha) |
| Elevation | 1,401 ft (427 m) |
| Designation | Maryland state park |
| Established | 1934 |
| Administrator | Maryland Department of Natural Resources |
| Website | Washington Monument State Park |
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Washington Monument
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Erected in Memory of Washington July 4th 1827 by the citizens of Boonsboro
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| Nearest city | Boonsboro, Maryland |
| Area | 104 acres (42 ha) |
| Built | 1827 |
| Built by | Isaac C. Lutz |
| NRHP reference No. | 72000588 |
| Added to NRHP | November 3, 1972 |
Washington Monument State Park is a fun outdoor area located near Boonsboro, Maryland. This park is special because it protects the Washington Monument. This monument is a 40-foot-tall (12 m) stone tower built to honor George Washington. He was the very first President of the United States.
The monument sits on South Mountain's Monument Knob. It is also right along the famous Appalachian Trail. In 1972, this monument was added to the National Register of Historic Places. This means it is an important historical site. The Maryland Department of Natural Resources takes care of the park today.
Contents
History of the Washington Monument
The Washington Monument in this park was built in 1827. It was the very first monument completed to honor George Washington. Other famous monuments to Washington were built later. For example, the Washington Monument in Baltimore was finished two years later in 1829. The huge Washington Monument in Washington, D.C. was not finished until 1885.
Building the First Monument
The people of Boonsboro built this stone tower on July 4, 1827. They all gathered in the town square early that morning. Then, they marched together to the building site on the mountain. By the end of that day, the tower was already 15 feet (4.6 m) tall. Its base was 54 feet (16 m) around. Later that year, workers returned to make the tower taller. They completed it to a height of 30 feet (9.1 m).
The tower was built using a method called "dry-laid" masonry. This means the stones were carefully stacked without using mortar or cement.
Monument During the Civil War
Even though it was a popular meeting spot, the monument faced challenges. Over time, weather and people damaging it caused parts of it to fall apart. During the Civil War, the monument was in ruins. The Union Army used it as a signal station. They would send messages from the top of the mountain.
Early Efforts to Restore the Tower
In 1882, a group called the Odd Fellows Lodge helped fix the tower. They added a roof and built a road up the mountain. But about ten years later, the tower started to fall apart again. A large crack in the wall was not fixed.
Becoming a State Park
In 1920, the Washington County Historical Society bought the one-acre (0.40 ha) site. They wanted to protect the monument. In 1934, they gave the land to the state of Maryland. This is how it became a state park.
CCC Helps Rebuild the Monument
The tower was rebuilt to look as it does today by the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC). The CCC was a program during the Great Depression. Young men worked on projects like building parks and trails. These workers put the original cornerstone back in place. They also added a copy of the special dedication tablet. A third dedication ceremony for the monument was held on July 4, 1936.
Activities and Fun at the Park
Washington Monument State Park offers many things to do. You can hike along the famous Appalachian Trail. There are also nice places for picnicking. The park has a museum too. Inside the museum, you can learn about the history of the area. You can also discover more about the plants and animals that live there.
Images for kids
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Erected in Memory of Washington July 4th 1827 by the citizens of Boonsboro
