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

John Collins

Photographed by Craig Swain, June 9, 2007

1. John Collins Marker

Inscription. Native of Frederick County, skilled hunter and a superintendent of provisions with the Lewis and Clark expedition, John Collins was the first Marylander to cross the North American continent. Meriwether Lewis and William Clark were charged by Thomas Jefferson to lead an expedition to find a water route to the Pacific. From 1804 to 1806 the Corps of Discovery traveled 8,000 miles as they documented their encounters with inhabitants, identified natural resources and mapped the interior of western North America.

Erected 2007 by Maryland Historical Trust and Maryland State Highway Administration.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Exploration • Settlements & Settlers. In addition, it is included in the Former U.S. Presidents: #03 Thomas Jefferson, the Lewis & Clark Expedition, and the Maryland Historical Trust series lists. A significant historical year for this entry is 1804.

Location. 39° 29.091′ N, 77° 37.207′ W. Marker is near Boonsboro, Maryland, in Frederick County. It is at the intersection of Old National Pike (Alternate U.S. 40) and Washington Monument Road, on the right when traveling west on Old National Pike. Located at a pull off from the Washington Monument Road, along side the Old National

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Road. Across the highway from the Old South Mountain Inn. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 6127 Old National Pike, Boonsboro MD 21713, 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: The Maryland Campaign of 1862 / The Lost Orders (a few steps from this marker); Turner's Pass Tablet T. P. 1 (within shouting distance of this marker); Turner's Pass Tablet T. P. 2 (within shouting distance of this marker); Turner's Pass Tablet T. P. 3 (within shouting distance of this marker); Turner's Pass Tablet T. P. 4 (within shouting distance of this marker); Turner's Pass Tablet T. P. 5 (within shouting distance of this marker); Turner's Pass Tablet T. P. 6 (within shouting distance of this marker); 1862 Antietam Campaign (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Boonsboro.

Another marker is no longer nearby. 19th Century Backpacker (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been replaced with another marker now near it).

More about this marker. In Frederick County very close to the Frederick and Washington County line. The Appalachian Trail passes a few feet from the marker.

Also see . . . John Collins. Discover Lewis and Clark website

Photographed by Devry Becker Jones (CC0), October 11, 2020

2. John Collins Marker

entry (Submitted on August 10, 2025, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.)

Credits. This page was last revised on August 10, 2025. It was originally submitted on July 9, 2007, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. This page has been viewed 3,045 times since then and 130 times this year. Last updated on July 29, 2007, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. Photos: 1. submitted on July 9, 2007, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. 2. submitted on October 12, 2020, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. • J. J. Prats was the editor who published this page.