Boonsboro in Washington County, Maryland — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)

Washington Monument

Signal Station

— Antietam Campaign 1862 —

Photographed By Craig Swain, June 9, 2007

1. Washington Monument - Signal Station Marker

Inscription. During the Antietam Campaign, the U.S. Signal Corps used the stone structure in front of you and to your left as a signal station. On July 4, 1827, citizens of the town of Boonsboro paraded to the top of the mountain here and began building this first monument in the country completed in honor of George Washington. On September 14, 1862, as Confederate Gen. Robert E. Lee and his staff entered Boonsboro during the Battle of South Mountain, Lt. Col. E.P. Alexander observed “a small party of people on what seemed to be some sort of tower on the mountain top.” Thinking they were Union signalers, Alexander led a squad of eight men up to investigate, but found them to be only some local citizens trying to get a better view of the combat. Federal signalmen did use the monument afterward, however, and during the Battle of Antietam three days later.

The two armies revisited this valley in 1863 during the Confederate retreat after the Battle of Gettysburg. They sparred across Washington County, July 5-14, fighting at Boonsboro, Funkstown, and Hagerstown.

Erected by Maryland Civil War Trails.

Topics and series. This historical marker and monument is listed in these topic lists: Communications • War, US Civil

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. In addition, it is included in the Maryland Civil War Trails series list. A significant historical month for this entry is July 1736.

Location. 39° 30.879′ N, 77° 39.453′ W. Marker is in Boonsboro, Maryland, in Washington County. Marker is on North Main Street / Old National Road (Alternate U.S. 40), on the right when traveling south. Marker is in Northwest corner of the Boonsboro Historical Park. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Boonsboro MD 21713, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Town of Boonsboro (within shouting distance of this marker); Korean War Memorial (approx. 0.3 miles away); World Wars I & II Memorial (approx. 0.3 miles away); Vietnam Memorial (approx. 0.3 miles away); Boonsboro (approx. 0.4 miles away); Stonewall Jackson's Way (approx. 0.4 miles away); The National Road (approx. 0.4 miles away); Gettysburg Campaign (approx. 0.4 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Boonsboro.

More about this monument. The marker also displays a 19th Century picture of the monument.

Regarding Washington Monument. The Washington Monument mentioned on the marker can be seen in the distance on South Mountain.

Also see . . . (PDF) National Register of Historic Places - Inventory Nomination Form No. WA-II-501, 11/3/1972.

Boonsboro Historical Park. image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Craig Swain, June 3, 2007

2. Boonsboro Historical Park.

The red arrow indicates the location of the marker.

Reportedly built in a single day, the monument was completed and dedicated on July 4, 1827. It is significant as the first monument to George Washington in the United States...Vandals and the elements had reduced the Washington County monument to a mere few feet in height by the time of the Civil War. In this tumbled down condition the monument served as a Union Signal Station during the Battle of Antietam and after the Battle of Gettysburg while General Lee's army lingered north of the Potomac River. (Submitted on November 17, 2020, by Allen C. Browne of Silver Spring, Maryland.)

The Washington Monument on South Mountain. image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Craig Swain, June 9, 2007

3. The Washington Monument on South Mountain.

The red arrow points to the Washington Monument on South Mountain. On a knob along side the old National Road as it passes Turner's Gap, the monument was indeed a good observation post and a reference point for maneuvering units.

Washington Monument image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Paula Svincek, April 30, 2010

4. Washington Monument

Washington Monument Marker (other) image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Brandon Fletcher, June 24, 2009

5. Washington Monument Marker (other)

Located on the path as you head toward the Washington Monument.

Appalachian Trail North image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Brandon Fletcher, June 24, 2009

6. Appalachian Trail North

Trail heading to the Washington Monument is part of the Appalachian Trail

Washington Monument on South Mountain image. Click for full size.

Internet Archive

7. Washington Monument on South Mountain

This illustration from The Century Magazine, (Vol. XXXII, No. 1, May 1886) shows the monument as it looked during the Civil War (on the right) and as it appeared after being rebuilt in 1882 by the Oddfellows of Boonsboro' (on the left).

Marker atop the Washington Monument image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Brandon Fletcher, June 24, 2009

8. Marker atop the Washington Monument

From early September to late November thousands of Raptors (Hawks & Eagles) migrate past Washington Monument State Park. The birds use the deflective winds created by the mountain ridge to make their journey south.

Other Marker located atop the Washington Monument image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Brandon Fletcher, June 24, 2009

9. Other Marker located atop the Washington Monument

Credits. This page was last revised on November 25, 2020. It was originally submitted on June 15, 2007, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. This page has been viewed 2,801 times since then and 24 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on June 15, 2007, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. 4. submitted on April 30, 2010. 5, 6. submitted on August 9, 2015, by Brandon Fletcher of Chattanooga, Tennessee. 7. submitted on November 17, 2020, by Allen C. Browne of Silver Spring, Maryland. 8, 9. submitted on August 9, 2015, by Brandon Fletcher of Chattanooga, Tennessee. • J. J. Prats was the editor who published this page.