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

City Park

Photographed by Allen C. Browne, April 7, 2019

1. City Park Marker

Inscription. In the early 19th Century, this area was owned by the Heyser family and was known as “Heyser's Woods”. The mansion house was constructed by John H. Heyser between 1843 and 1846. “Heyser's Woods” became a popular local picnic grounds, and when the Hagerstown Fair Association formed in 1854, Mr. Heyser allowed the fair to be held on his property. The fair was suspended during the Civil War years. The fair buildings were destroyed by Union and Confederate soldiers who regularly camped here in their campaigns. General Robert E. Lee camped here in 1863 during the Gettysburg Campaign.

Mr. Heyser moved to Florida in 1882 and soon died there. In 1884, his estate sold the property to William H. Armstrong, who lived in the house. In 1890, the West End Improvement Company formed and Armstrong transferred his holdings to the company. In 1915 the City of Hagerstown purchased this land from the West End Improvement Company for $40,000 to be used as a public park. Samuel Detrow was appointed park superintendent, and nationally-known landscape architect. George Burnap was retained to create a master plan for

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the park.

For a century, City Park has served as one of the principal social and recreational facilities for Hagerstown residents and enjoys a reputation as one of the finest urban parks on the east coast.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Parks & Recreational Areas • War, US Civil. A significant historical year for this entry is 1863.

Location. 39° 38.086′ N, 77° 43.915′ W. Marker is in Hagerstown, Maryland, in Washington County. It can be reached from Virginia Avenue north of City Park Drive, on the right when traveling south. This marker is near the concession stand in Hagerstown City Park. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 501 Virginia Ave, Hagerstown MD 21740, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Western Maryland.

It is also in the American Mid-Atlantic,

in Appalachia,

and specifically in Northern Appalachia. Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once one of the original Thirteen Colonies.

Other nearby markers. At least

Photographed by Allen C. Browne, April 7, 2019

2. City Park Marker

The Mansion House can be seen up-hill from the marker.

8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Band Shell (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Steam Engine 202 (about 800 feet away); Great Indian Warrior/Trading Path (approx. 0.2 miles away); The Clara Barton Memorial (approx. 0.3 miles away); Mary Titcomb (approx. 0.3 miles away); Trial and Error at Mount Aetna Furnace (approx. 0.3 miles away); The Springs at Hager's Fancy (approx. 0.3 miles away); Jonathan Hager House Museum (approx. 0.4 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Hagerstown.

Another marker is no longer nearby. Hager House and Museum (was approx. 0.4 miles away but has been replaced with another marker now near it).

John H. Heyser image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Allen C. Browne, April 7, 2019

3. John H. Heyser

John H. Heyser owned "Harper's Woods" from the early 1840s until his death in 1882. His home was the building known today as "The City Park Mansion House", which he built from 1843 to 1846.Close-up of photo on marker

Mr. and Mrs. John C. Snavely image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Allen C. Browne, April 7, 2019

4. Mr. and Mrs. John C. Snavely

in front of the Heyser Mansion, now known as the "Mansion House" in 1922.Close-up of photo on marker

Band Concert image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Allen C. Browne, April 7, 2019

5. Band Concert

Hagerstown residents enjoying a band concert on Labor Day 1922. This bandstand was later relocated to Wheaton Park.Close-up of photo on marker

Credits. This page was last revised on April 10, 2019. It was originally submitted on April 9, 2019, by Allen C. Browne of Silver Spring, Maryland. This page has been viewed 890 times since then and 61 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on April 9, 2019, by Allen C. Browne of Silver Spring, Maryland. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.