Galena in Kent County, Maryland — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)

Downs’ Cross Roads

Galena, Maryland

Photographed by Rico Ramirez, August 1, 2024

1. Downs’ Cross Roads Marker

Inscription. On this site stood the tavern erected by William Downs in 1763. Burned in 1893. George Washington stopped here in 1774 en route to and from the first Continental Congress. He traveled this road on his eight visits to Kent County.

Erected 1932 by Kent Lodge instituted 1851, Massey Lodge 157 instituted 1914, Independent Order of Odd Fellows.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Colonial Era • Industry & Commerce • Patriots & Patriotism • Roads & Vehicles. In addition, it is included in the Former U.S. Presidents: #01 George Washington, and the George Washington Slept Here series lists. A significant historical year for this entry is 1763.

Location. 39° 20.44′ N, 75° 52.73′ W. Marker is in Galena, Maryland, in Kent County. It is at the intersection of South Main Street (Maryland Route 313/290) and W. Cross Street ( Route 213), on the left when traveling north on South Main Street. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Galena MD 21635, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is on the Eastern Shore.

It is also in the American Mid-Atlantic,

on the Delmarva Peninsula,

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 5 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Mistress Kitty Knight (approx. 1.4 miles away); Georgetown, Maryland (approx. 1.4 miles away); Daring to Resist

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(approx. 1½ miles away); A Heavy Price (approx. 1½ miles away); Sassafras River (approx. 1.7 miles away); Fort Duffy (approx. 1.8 miles away); Greenfield (approx. 3.4 miles away); Mount Harmon Plantation at World's End (approx. 4.1 miles away).

More about this marker. Route 313 reaches N end in Galena. Use route 213 to continue N toward Cecil County.
Route 213 runs on W. Cross Street and N. Main Street.
Route 290 runs on S. Main Street and E. Cross Street.

Downs' Cross Roads Galena, Maryland Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by William Pfingsten, October 18, 2007

2. Downs' Cross Roads Galena, Maryland Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on August 5, 2024. It was originally submitted on October 18, 2007, by Bill Pfingsten of Bel Air, Maryland. This page has been viewed 3,041 times since then and 39 times this year. Last updated on August 30, 2020, by Carl Gordon Moore Jr. of North East, Maryland. Photos: 1. submitted on August 3, 2024, by Rico Ramirez of Prince Frederick, Maryland. 2. submitted on October 18, 2007, by Bill Pfingsten of Bel Air, Maryland.