1850-1870

1850-1870. The American Civil War Era. , 1853 , The Hagerstown Female Seminary is constructed on Cannon Hill. Later, the name of this school is changed to Kee Mar College. In 1912, the college is converted for use as the Washington County Hospital., 1854 , The Washington County Agricultural and Mechanical Association is chartered and commences the following year with holding a county fair on the future location of City Park., 1859 , In June, John Brown visits Hagerstown to find rental property from which to stage his planned attack on Harpers Ferry. He selects the Kennedy farm near Sharpsburg., 1861-65 , Civil War comes to Hagerstown. The city becomes a staging area for military campaigns. Many buildings are used for hospitals after the Battle of Antietam. A large cavalry battle occurred in the streets on July 6, 1863. The city is ransomed on July 6, 1864 by Confederate cavalry for $20,000 and 1,500 complete sets of men's clothing., 1868 , Jacob F. Wheaton votes in the Hagerstown mayoral election. He is believed to be the first African American to vote in Maryland after the Civil War.