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History of Hagerstown, Maryland, USA
Journey back in time to Hagerstown, Maryland, USA
Explore Hagerstown, Maryland, USA! Uncover its rich history and discover the stories of the people who once called it home. Dive into old newspaper articles, vintage pictures, postcards, and genealogy to learn more about this fascinating town.Do You Have Hagerstown Ancestry? Share YOUR Family Story!

Hagerstown, Washington, MD
In 1762 the town was laid out by the German immigrant Jonathan Hager and named Elizabeth Town for his wife, but it was incorporated as Hager’s Town in 1814.
britannica.com
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Hagerstown Nostalgia: Vintage Photos, Ads, and Postcards
Discover Hagerstown: History, News, Travel, and Stories

1794 - Hagerstown - In 1794 government forces arrested 150 citizens during a draft riot which was staged by protesters in response to the Whiskey Rebellion.
wikipedia.org
wikipedia.org
1854 - Hagerstown
Hagkrstown, a thriving town, capital of Washington county, Maryland, near the W. bank of Antietam creek, 9 miles from the Potomac river, 20 miles N. W. from Frederick, and 86 miles W. by N. from Baltimore. It is the southern terminus of the Franklin railroad, and is a place of considerable trade. The town is well built, and contains, besides the county buildings, a number of churches, academies, 1 bank, and several newspaper offices. Population in 1850, 3884. The surrounding country is very productive and thickly settled.
A New and Complete Gazetteer of the United States: Giving a Full and Comprehensive Review of the Present Condition, Industry, and Resources of the American Confederacy ... Thomas Baldwin (of Philadelphia.) Joseph Thomas January 1, 1854 Philadelphia : Lippincott, Grambo & Company 1854.
Hagkrstown, a thriving town, capital of Washington county, Maryland, near the W. bank of Antietam creek, 9 miles from the Potomac river, 20 miles N. W. from Frederick, and 86 miles W. by N. from Baltimore. It is the southern terminus of the Franklin railroad, and is a place of considerable trade. The town is well built, and contains, besides the county buildings, a number of churches, academies, 1 bank, and several newspaper offices. Population in 1850, 3884. The surrounding country is very productive and thickly settled.
A New and Complete Gazetteer of the United States: Giving a Full and Comprehensive Review of the Present Condition, Industry, and Resources of the American Confederacy ... Thomas Baldwin (of Philadelphia.) Joseph Thomas January 1, 1854 Philadelphia : Lippincott, Grambo & Company 1854.
1864 - Hagerstown and Frederick held for ransom by Confederates
www.worldatlas.com/ webimage/ countrys/ namerica/ usstates/ mdtimeln.htm
www.worldatlas.com/ webimage/ countrys/ namerica/ usstates/ mdtimeln.htm
1870 - In the new Lutheran church at Hagerstown, Md., a large hand is painted on the wall in the vestibule, pointing down to a spittoon with the inscription, "Please leave your tobacco there."
St Joseph Herald
Saint Joseph, Michigan
January 8, 1870
St Joseph Herald
Saint Joseph, Michigan
January 8, 1870
1871 - MARYLAND. A DESTRUCTIVE FIRE RAGING IN HAGERSTOWN.
HAGERSTOWN, Dec. 7 1 A. M. — Last evening at ten o’clock a fire broke out in the business house of Rollins & Burbank, agricultural implement dealers, Antietam street, opposite the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad, and rapidly spread to the adjacent buildings. The Episcopal Church and court-house were burned to the ground. All the public records were saved. Several lives were lost by the falling of the court-house dome, and a number of other persons severely injured. The fire is still raging with a heavy wind from the southeast. The origin of the fire is unknown. The court house is insured.
Boston Daily Advertiser
Boston, Massachusetts
December 7, 1871
HAGERSTOWN, Dec. 7 1 A. M. — Last evening at ten o’clock a fire broke out in the business house of Rollins & Burbank, agricultural implement dealers, Antietam street, opposite the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad, and rapidly spread to the adjacent buildings. The Episcopal Church and court-house were burned to the ground. All the public records were saved. Several lives were lost by the falling of the court-house dome, and a number of other persons severely injured. The fire is still raging with a heavy wind from the southeast. The origin of the fire is unknown. The court house is insured.
Boston Daily Advertiser
Boston, Massachusetts
December 7, 1871
1888 - The death of William T. Hamilton, formerly Governor and United States Senator, occurred on the 26th at his home in Hagerstown, Md.
St Joseph Herald
Saint Joseph, Michigan
November 3, 1888
St Joseph Herald
Saint Joseph, Michigan
November 3, 1888
1892 - Three Killed In A Wreck. Train men Crushed to Death in a Collision With a Sand Bank.
Special to The Inquirer.
Hagerstown, Sept. 14. - The north bound passenger vestibule limited from New Orleans to Washington consisting of engine, baggage express, day coach, dining and three sleeping cars, tan into a land slide and over a trestle that had washed away one mile south of Basic City, Va., early this morning, resulting in the death of Engineer Darraugh and Fireman Probst, of Shenandoah, who were caught under the engine, and Conductor John Undergrove, of Hagerstown, who was thrown from the dining car.
Charles Crowe, of Hagerstown, baggage master, was seriously injured, and Express Messenger Edward Laporte was badly out.
Philadelphia Inquirer
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
September 15, 1892
Special to The Inquirer.
Hagerstown, Sept. 14. - The north bound passenger vestibule limited from New Orleans to Washington consisting of engine, baggage express, day coach, dining and three sleeping cars, tan into a land slide and over a trestle that had washed away one mile south of Basic City, Va., early this morning, resulting in the death of Engineer Darraugh and Fireman Probst, of Shenandoah, who were caught under the engine, and Conductor John Undergrove, of Hagerstown, who was thrown from the dining car.
Charles Crowe, of Hagerstown, baggage master, was seriously injured, and Express Messenger Edward Laporte was badly out.
Philadelphia Inquirer
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
September 15, 1892
1895 - Hagerstown
Hagerstown, a city, the capital of Washington co, Md., on the Cumberland Valley Railroad, 22 miles S. of Chambersburg, Pa., 22 miles N.W. of Frederick, and 84 miles W.N.W. of Baltimore, with which it is connected by the Western Maryland Railroad. It is also the N. terminus 'the Washington County Branch of the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad. It has a court-house, 2 national banks, 1 other bank, 15 churches, 2 high schools, a seminary for ladies, several machine-shops, flour-mills, carriage-shops, and manufactures of bricks, pottery, leather, &c. Four daily and 4 weekly newspapers are published here. Pop. in 1890, 10,118.
Lippincott's Gazetteer of the World: A Complete Pronouncing Gazetteer Or Geographical Dictionary of the World Containing Notices of Over One Hundred and Twenty-five Thousand Places ... Joseph Thomas January 1, 1895 J.B. Lippincott
Hagerstown, a city, the capital of Washington co, Md., on the Cumberland Valley Railroad, 22 miles S. of Chambersburg, Pa., 22 miles N.W. of Frederick, and 84 miles W.N.W. of Baltimore, with which it is connected by the Western Maryland Railroad. It is also the N. terminus 'the Washington County Branch of the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad. It has a court-house, 2 national banks, 1 other bank, 15 churches, 2 high schools, a seminary for ladies, several machine-shops, flour-mills, carriage-shops, and manufactures of bricks, pottery, leather, &c. Four daily and 4 weekly newspapers are published here. Pop. in 1890, 10,118.
Lippincott's Gazetteer of the World: A Complete Pronouncing Gazetteer Or Geographical Dictionary of the World Containing Notices of Over One Hundred and Twenty-five Thousand Places ... Joseph Thomas January 1, 1895 J.B. Lippincott
1912 - HAIR IN BLAZE
Hagerstown - Mrs. Benj. Lewis had a narrow escape from being seriously burned at her home. She struck a match to light an oil stove and the head of the match flew off lodging in her hair. In an instant her hair was (was) ablaze, but Mrs. Lewis with rare presence of mind grabbed a wet cloth and threw it over her head extinguishing the fire. Her hair was considerably singed and one side of her face slightly burned.
Adams County News
Gettysburg, Pennsylvania
July 13, 1912
Hagerstown - Mrs. Benj. Lewis had a narrow escape from being seriously burned at her home. She struck a match to light an oil stove and the head of the match flew off lodging in her hair. In an instant her hair was (was) ablaze, but Mrs. Lewis with rare presence of mind grabbed a wet cloth and threw it over her head extinguishing the fire. Her hair was considerably singed and one side of her face slightly burned.
Adams County News
Gettysburg, Pennsylvania
July 13, 1912
1916
Hagerstown, a city, the capital of Washington co., Md., on the Cumberland Valley and other railroads, 22 miles NW. of Frederick. It has machine- and carriage- shops, bicycle-works, knitting-mills, and manufactures of paper, flour, agricultural implements, spokes, fertilisers, etc. It is the seat of Kee Mar College. Pop. in 1890, 10,118 ; in 1900, 13,591.
Lippincotts New Gazetteer: A Complete Pronouncing Gazetteer Or Geographical Dictionary of the World, Containing the Most Recent and Authentic Information Respecting the Countries, Cities, Towns, Resorts, Islands, Rivers, Mountains, Seas, Lakes, Etc., in Every Portion of the Globe, Part 1 Angelo Heilprin Louis Heilprin - January 1, 1916 J.B. Lippincott - Publisher
Hagerstown, a city, the capital of Washington co., Md., on the Cumberland Valley and other railroads, 22 miles NW. of Frederick. It has machine- and carriage- shops, bicycle-works, knitting-mills, and manufactures of paper, flour, agricultural implements, spokes, fertilisers, etc. It is the seat of Kee Mar College. Pop. in 1890, 10,118 ; in 1900, 13,591.
Lippincotts New Gazetteer: A Complete Pronouncing Gazetteer Or Geographical Dictionary of the World, Containing the Most Recent and Authentic Information Respecting the Countries, Cities, Towns, Resorts, Islands, Rivers, Mountains, Seas, Lakes, Etc., in Every Portion of the Globe, Part 1 Angelo Heilprin Louis Heilprin - January 1, 1916 J.B. Lippincott - Publisher
1917 - LEAVE BURNING SCHOOL
Hagerstown, Md., Feb. 6. - The Washington County boy's High School building here was damaged by fire yesterday afternoon. A thousand pupils, trained in fire drills, left the building as it filled with suffocating smoke in a few minutes without panic.
Wilkes-Barre Times Leader
Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania
February 6, 1917
Hagerstown, Md., Feb. 6. - The Washington County boy's High School building here was damaged by fire yesterday afternoon. A thousand pupils, trained in fire drills, left the building as it filled with suffocating smoke in a few minutes without panic.
Wilkes-Barre Times Leader
Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania
February 6, 1917
1923 - Hagerstown, Md., Struck By Lightning. Jun. 1923 - Reporter Struck By Lightning And Instantly Killed
(International News Service) Hagerstown, Md., June 4. – Samuel ABRECHT, 21, a reporter of the News-Post of Frederick, was instantly killed when struck by lightning in a garage at Ridgeville, Md., during the storm yesterday afternoon. ABRECHT who was returning from an automobile trip to Washington, sought protection from the storm in the garage. The bolt struck a tree nearby and entered the garage killing ABRECHT instantly.
Several houses and barns were burned to the ground together with all contents. Frederick City was without lights or power for several hours. The storm was particularly severe and was accompanied by heavy rainfall and electrical display.
New Castle News
New Castle, Pennsylvania
June 4, 1923
(International News Service) Hagerstown, Md., June 4. – Samuel ABRECHT, 21, a reporter of the News-Post of Frederick, was instantly killed when struck by lightning in a garage at Ridgeville, Md., during the storm yesterday afternoon. ABRECHT who was returning from an automobile trip to Washington, sought protection from the storm in the garage. The bolt struck a tree nearby and entered the garage killing ABRECHT instantly.
Several houses and barns were burned to the ground together with all contents. Frederick City was without lights or power for several hours. The storm was particularly severe and was accompanied by heavy rainfall and electrical display.
New Castle News
New Castle, Pennsylvania
June 4, 1923
1968 - March 8 - 6 year old Tommy Moore scores hole-in-one in golf (Hagerstown, Md)
historyorb.com
March 8, 1968
historyorb.com
March 8, 1968
Here's a list of places to go and things to do in and around Hagerstown:
Hagerstown City Park:
Take a leisurely stroll through the beautiful Hagerstown City Park. It's a great place for picnics, with a lake, walking trails, and the Hagerstown Railroad Museum.
Washington County Museum of Fine Arts:
Explore a diverse collection of art at the Washington County Museum of Fine Arts. Admission is free, and the museum often hosts events and exhibitions.
Antietam National Battlefield:
Visit the site of the Battle of Antietam, one of the most significant battles of the American Civil War. The Antietam National Battlefield offers a self-guided driving tour and hiking trails.
Outlets at Hagerstown:
If you're into shopping, check out the Outlets at Hagerstown. It's a popular destination for discounted brand-name goods.
Downtown Hagerstown:
Spend some time exploring the historic downtown area with its unique shops, galleries, and local restaurants. The Washington County Arts Council and Maryland Theatre are also in this area.
Maryland... Read MORE...
Hagerstown City Park:
Take a leisurely stroll through the beautiful Hagerstown City Park. It's a great place for picnics, with a lake, walking trails, and the Hagerstown Railroad Museum.
Washington County Museum of Fine Arts:
Explore a diverse collection of art at the Washington County Museum of Fine Arts. Admission is free, and the museum often hosts events and exhibitions.
Antietam National Battlefield:
Visit the site of the Battle of Antietam, one of the most significant battles of the American Civil War. The Antietam National Battlefield offers a self-guided driving tour and hiking trails.
Outlets at Hagerstown:
If you're into shopping, check out the Outlets at Hagerstown. It's a popular destination for discounted brand-name goods.
Downtown Hagerstown:
Spend some time exploring the historic downtown area with its unique shops, galleries, and local restaurants. The Washington County Arts Council and Maryland Theatre are also in this area.
Maryland... Read MORE...
Discover YOUR Roots: Hagerstown Ancestry
Ancestors Who Were Born or Died in Hagerstown, Maryland, USA
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