Middletown in Frederick County, Maryland — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)

Stonebraker and Harbaugh Shafer Building

Photographed by Don Morfe, October 12, 2021

1. Stonebraker and Harbaugh Shafer Building Marker

Inscription. This Federal brick house and store was built by Samuel Harbaugh ca. 1829. Stonebraker & Harbaugh Mercantile operated until the building was purchased by Peter Shafer in 1858. In 1862, the 2nd floor served as a hospital after the battles of South Mountain and Antietam. The store was ransacked in 1864, and Shafer paid a ransom demanded by General Jubal Early-saving Middletown from destruction. After the war, William Rudy operated the 2nd floor as Rudy’s Hall providing “Entertainments” and serving as town hall. During the 20th c. the Daniel Shafer family lived in the house with the store rooms serving as Middletown’s first lending library and post office.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Entertainment • Industry & Commerce • War, US Civil. A significant historical year for this entry is 1829.

Location. 39° 26.63′ N, 77° 32.818′ W. Marker is in Middletown, Maryland, in Frederick County. It is on West Main Street (Alternate U.S. 40) near South Jefferson Street, on the left when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 100-104 West Main Street, Middletown MD 21769, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the Washington Metropolitan Area

and in Central Maryland.

It is also in the American Mid-Atlantic.

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: Middletown in the Path of War (a few steps from this marker); Lutheran Ministers Memorial (a few steps from this marker); Advance, Retreat, and Refuge in Middletown

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(within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named Middletown (within shouting distance of this marker); Private Martin Luther Lutz (within shouting distance of this marker); In Commemoration (within shouting distance of this marker); 29 West Main Street (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named Middletown (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Middletown.

Another marker is no longer nearby. Middletown (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been replaced with another marker now near it).

Photographed by Don Morfe, October 12, 2021

2. Stonebraker and Harbaugh Shafer Building Marker

Photographed by Don Morfe, October 12, 2021

3. Stonebraker and Harbaugh Shafer Building Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on November 16, 2021. It was originally submitted on November 16, 2021, by Don Morfe of Baltimore, Maryland. This page has been viewed 408 times since then and 11 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on November 16, 2021, by Don Morfe of Baltimore, Maryland. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.