Braddock Heights in Frederick County, Maryland — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
This Boulder Marks the National Trail
General Braddock Monument
Photographed By Devry Becker Jones (CC0), October 11, 2020
1. This Boulder Marks the National Trail Marker
This boulder marks the National Trail over which traveled Gen. Edward Braddock and Lieutenant Colonel George Washington 1755.
Erected 1924 by the Frederick Chapter, Daughters of the American Revolution.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Roads & Vehicles • War, French and Indian. In addition, it is included in the Braddock’s Road and Maj. Gen. Edward Braddock, and the Daughters of the American Revolution series lists. A significant historical year for this entry is 1755.
Location. 39° 25.546′ N, 77° 30.341′ W. Marker is in Braddock Heights, Maryland, in Frederick County. Marker is on Old National Pike (Alternate U.S. 40) 0.1 miles west of Ridge Road, on the left when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Frederick MD 21702, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 3 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. The Braddock-Washington Monument (here, next to this marker); Hagan’s Tavern (approx. 0.7 miles away); Woodmere (approx. 1.9 miles away); General Edward Braddock (approx. 2.3 miles away); Charlie Keller (approx. 2.3 miles away); Christ Reformed Church (approx. 2.4 miles away); Memorial Hall (approx. 2.4 miles away); Middletown (approx. 2˝ miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Braddock Heights.
this page online
More about this marker. An art nouveau typeface is used for the inscription below a bas-relief of Washington and Braddock standing, and a third figure resting on his knees behind Braddock. Perhaps this third figure is the Delaware Indian Chief Nemacolin, who blazed the original trail from Cumberland to the Monongahela river.
Also see . . .
1. Braddock monument moved. This article by Karen Gardner was originally published in the Frederick News-Post on August 26, 2009. (Submitted on September 24, 2009.)
2. Inventories of American Painting and Sculpture, Smithsonian American Art Museum. Braddock-Washington Monument, (sculpture). (Submitted on June 16, 2012.)
Additional commentary.
1. Marker History and Preservation Efforts
The memorial was proposed in 1913 and the Frederick Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution sponsored lectures and card parties, and purchased a Liberty bond, eventually raising $754.54 to erect the memorial. The bronze relief tablet by sculptor Edward Berge is mounted on a large boulder taken from Braddock Mountain and placed by the Grove Lime Company. The Daughters of the American Revolution dedicated the monument on June 14, 1924 as part of their effort to mark the old trails west.
The tablet depicts British General Edward Braddock, his aide Lieutenant Colonel George Washington, and an unnamed third man (kneeling behind Braddock) as they stopped to drink from a spring along the road to Fort Duquesne in 1755 during the French and Indian War.
In 1952, the piece was moved
Photographed By Devry Becker Jones (CC0), October 11, 2020
2. This Boulder Marks the National Trail Marker
In August of 2009 the boulder was moved about 1/2 mile west to the old scenic overlook on th ewestern slope of Braddock Heights overlooking Middletown Valley. The new spot is more visible and more accessible to visitors.
— Submitted November 29, 2007, by Kevin W. of Stafford, Virginia.
Photographed By J. J. Prats, June 2, 2006
3. National Trail Boulder
The marker shows in its former location.
Photographed By Cindy Stegle, November 16, 2009
4. This Boulder Marks the National Trail Marker
The small tablet reads, “General Braddock Monument rededicated October 11, 2009; Frederick Chapter, DAR.”
Photographed By J. J. Prats, June 2, 2006
5. Boulder Was Behind the Guardrail
Photographed By Bill Coughlin, April 12, 2011
6. Re-dedication Plaque
Re-dedicated October 11, 2009
by the Frederick Chapter
Daughters of the American Revolution
Credits. This page was last revised on February 23, 2022. It was originally submitted on June 11, 2006, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio. This page has been viewed 4,438 times since then and 34 times this year. Last updated on September 7, 2009, by Bob Smart of Middletown, Maryland. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on October 12, 2020, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. 3. submitted on June 16, 2006, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio. 4. submitted on June 17, 2010, by Cindy Stegle of Frederick, Maryland. 5. submitted on June 16, 2006, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio. 6. submitted on April 12, 2011, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey. • Kevin W. was the editor who published this page.
