Hancock in Washington County, Maryland — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
The Tonoloways
Western Maryland Rail Trail
Big Tonoloway and Little Tonoloway Creeks empty into the Potomac River nearby. The Native American translation for Tonoloway is "long tail" or "wildcat". People of English, German, and Scots-Irish descent, who came down from present day Fulton County, Pennsylvania first settled this area in the 1730's. On a hill to the northwest, a small stockade fort was erected by the colony of Maryland in the fall of 1755. "Stoddert's Fort" was garrisoned by 15 men to protect the settlements at the Tonoloways from hostile Indian war parties. The fort was abandoned and burned by the colonists in the summer of 1756 upon completion of the more formidable Fort Frederick, 12 miles to the east.
Erected by Western Maryland Rail Trail.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Colonial Era • Forts and Castles • Native Americans • Settlements & Settlers.
Location. 39° 41.9′ N, 78° 11.083′ W. Marker is in Hancock, Maryland, in Washington County. Marker can be reached from South Pennsylvania Avenue south of West Main Street (Maryland Route 144), on the right when traveling south. Located on the Western Maryland Rail Trail. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Hancock MD 21750, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Hancock's Orchard Industry (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Joseph Hancock, Jr. (about 500 feet away); Hancock United Methodist Church (about 600 feet away); Hancock (about 600 feet away); Lt. Gen. Richard K. Sutherland (about 700 feet away); Main Street looking east / North West Corner of Main Street and Penn Ave. (about 800 feet away); a different marker also named Hancock (approx. 0.2 miles away); Fort Coombe (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Hancock.
Credits. This page was last revised on June 4, 2022. It was originally submitted on July 26, 2016, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia. This page has been viewed 1,010 times since then and 32 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on July 26, 2016, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia.