BOONSBORO, Md. — From paying honor to the nation’s most popular founding father to serving as a crossroads in America’s bloodiest war, the town of Boonsboro has one of the most unique stories in all of Washington County.
Founded by Boone brothers
If any place can be called the heart of Washington County, it would have to be Boonsboro. Founded in 1792 by brothers George Boone (1739-1820) and William Boone (1753-1798), the town began with the name of “Boones Berry.” In 1779, William with his new wife, Susanna Parks (1755-1844), had moved into a log cabin situated on a farm along the banks of the Potomac River.
In 1791, he partnered with his brother, George, and began to set plans for the building of a town on the 140 acres of land he had recently purchased from a local man named Valentine Nicodemus (1763-1835). The two brothers plotted out 44 one-acre lots along a wagon road that would become Main Street and the town square.
New town evolves
The new town slowly began to evolve as roads began to be built through the mountains that would lead to Hagerstown and Frederick. In the early 1800s, a national road would be constructed that would open a connection to Baltimore. These new roads would help build the population of Boonsboro and open the potential of new businesses that would help the small town prosper.
Monument to nation’s founding president
In addition to the founding fathers of Boonsboro being related to the legendary frontiersman, Daniel Boone, the small Washington County town would have another unique connection to the United States’ history. In 1827, the citizens of Boonsboro would be the first in the country to erect a monument in honor of founding father, George Washington. Located at the top of South Mountain, the 34-foot-high stone structure quickly became a popular tourist attraction, bringing thousands of sightseers every year.
Dark times in Boonsboro
As was the case with nearly every town and borough in Washington County, Boonsboro would become another location of violence and tragedy in 1862. On Sept. 14 of that year, the Battle of South Mountain was fought as part of the American Civil War. In addition to the battle, which was the first fought on Northern soil, Boonsboro would also become a crossroads for the war as both armies made use of the mountain valleys and thick woods that surround the town. Churches and public buildings would also be used for tending to the wounded. It was a dark time for Boonsboro and left a bloody mark on the town’s history.
Life after the war
After the war’s end, Boonsboro’s population would suffer. In 1850, there were nearly 950 residents living in the small town. In 1870, that number had dropped to around 700. The town wouldn’t see significant growth in population until the 1920s, when the number of residents counted to be over 1,000. In 1939 the town built another one of its most popular attractions, Shafer Memorial Park, named after Jonathan Shafer (1794-1885), who was the town’s first mayor.
Boonsboro’s popularity for being an intriguing visiting location has diminished over the years. The town, today with nearly 4,000 residents, continues to draw in tourists from all around the world to see the Washington Monument, visit the park and participate in their annual Boonesborough Days event. But there is much more to Boonsboro if one knows where to look. Every road, every path and every valley has a story to tell. A legacy of hard work, determination, and respectability that has made the town the heart of Washington County.
For more info about the town and its legacy, here are a few websites that might be of interest:
Boonsboro Historical Society: boonsborohistoricalsociety.org
The Boone Society: boonesociety.org
Town of Boonsboro: town.boonsboro.md.us
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