Hancock in Washington County, Maryland — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Hancock
The Busiest Village on the Road
— The Historic National Road - The Road That Built The Nation —
Photographed By Christopher Busta-Peck, March 2, 2008
1. Hancock Marker
“After the exhilaration of a gallop down the mountain without breaks, what appetite would not be set on edge, what refinement of palate displeased by venison cutlets, or even ham and eggs?”
Harper’s Magazine, 1879
By 1840, Hancock was a major stop on the National Road. Here, travelers could prepare for the nearby mountains or rest after the long up and down ride from Cumberland.
As many as sixteen “gayly painted” coaches sporting names like the National Road or Stockton, the Good Intent, People’s and June Bug Stage Lines rolled into town daily. Prancing teams of horses pulled the stagecoaches filled with the famous and common, jostled together by the rough mountain ride. Coaches and wagons were soon replaced by a canal and a railroad. Today, two interstate highways crisscross this narrowest piece of Maryland.
[Sidebar:]
An Interesting, Historic Town
With the advent of the automobile came some of our first travel guides. Robert Bruce traveled the National Road in 1916 in an effort to provide the traveler with thorough maps, good driving directions, and interesting bits of information. “Hancock is a prosperous-looking place...an interesting, historic town,” he noted. Today, his map of Hancock provides us a glimpse into the
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Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Roads & Vehicles • Settlements & Settlers. In addition, it is included in the The Historic National Road series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1879.
Location. 39° 41.934′ N, 78° 10.752′ W. Marker has been reported damaged. Marker is in Hancock, Maryland, in Washington County. Marker is on West Main Street (Maryland Route 144) east of Taney Street South, on the right when traveling east. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 31 W Main St, Hancock MD 21750, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this location. "Perkins House" / "Davis" Hotel (here, next to this marker); Discover the Trail (a few steps from this marker); Major James Breathed (a few steps from this marker); A New Beginning (within shouting distance of this marker); "Hershey Ice Cream" Shop / "Barton House" (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named Discover the Trail (within shouting distance of this marker); Hancock Station (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); The C&O Canal: Serving the Potomac Valley (about 300 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Hancock.
Photographed By Devry Becker Jones (CC0), June 12, 2022
2. Hancock Marker
Unfortunately, the marker has weathered significantly.
Photographed By Christopher Busta-Peck, March 2, 2008
4. Hancock and James Breathed markers, as seen from the National Road
Credits. This page was last revised on June 12, 2022. It was originally submitted on June 12, 2022, by Christopher Busta-Peck of Shaker Heights, Ohio. This page has been viewed 98 times since then and 5 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on March 3, 2008, by Christopher Busta-Peck of Shaker Heights, Ohio. 2, 3. submitted on June 12, 2022, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. 4. submitted on March 3, 2008, by Christopher Busta-Peck of Shaker Heights, Ohio. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.
