Charlotte Hall in St. Mary's County, Maryland — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)

Ye Coole Springs

Three Notch Trail

Photographed by Bernard Fisher, June 15, 2019

1. Ye Coole Springs Marker

Inscription. Legends of healing waters in St. Mary's came from the Native Americans and the colonists who believed in the therapeutic properties of the fresh water springs at Charlotte Hall. Around 1698, Governor Thomas Nicholson appointed trustees to purchase land called Ye Coole Springs for houses to be built for the care of the sick and infirm.

Many believe Ye Coole Springs was the site of the first hospital in Maryland and the second in the English colonies.

A gateway to the springs was erected by the Francis Scott Key Chapter of the D.A.R. and bronze panels were placed in remembrance of distinguished Marylanders. Several natural springs still exist on the site today; however, drinking from the springs is not recommended.

Rail History 1868

The Southern Maryland Railroad was incorporated on March 20, 1868. Original plans called for the line to extend from Washington, D.C. to the deep water ports of the lower Chesapeake Bay with branches to the Patuxent and St. Mary's Rivers. By 1881, despite financial and other difficulties along the way, the rail line began service from Brandywine to Mechanicsville. By 1884, the line consisted of twenty-one miles of track.

Erected by Three Notch Trail, Rotary Club of Charlotte Hall.

Topics and series. This historical

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marker is listed in these topic lists: Colonial Era • Railroads & Streetcars • Settlements & Settlers. In addition, it is included in the Rotary International series list. A significant historical date for this entry is March 20, 1868.

Location. 38° 28.649′ N, 76° 46.67′ W. Marker is in Charlotte Hall, Maryland, in St. Mary's County. It is on Charlotte Hall Road south of Charlotte Hall School Road, on the right when traveling south. Located on the Three Notch Trail. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Charlotte Hall MD 20622, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Southern Maryland.

It is also in the American South,

specifically in the Upper South,

in the Mid-Atlantic,

in the Tidewater,

and in the Chesapeake Bay Region.

Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region,

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

and also the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Cadet Pierre A. Mourthé (within shouting distance of this marker); Coole Springs of Saint Marie’s (within shouting distance of this marker); Charlotte Hall School (within shouting distance of this marker); Maryland Begins Here (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); No Match for British Might (about 500 feet away); a different marker also named Charlotte Hall School (about 800 feet away); Village of Charlotte Hall (approx. ¼ mile away); Amish Community (approx. ¼ mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Charlotte Hall.

Three Notch Trail facing west image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Bernard Fisher, June 15, 2019

2. Three Notch Trail facing west

Another marker is no longer nearby. Rear Admiral Raphael Semmes C.S.N. (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been permanently removed).

Three Notch Trail facing east image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Bernard Fisher, June 15, 2019

3. Three Notch Trail facing east

Credits. This page was last revised on January 10, 2025. It was originally submitted on June 16, 2019, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia. This page has been viewed 3,515 times since then and 274 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on June 16, 2019, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia.