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

Thurmont

Formerly Mechanicstown

— Gettysburg Campaign —

Photographed by Craig Swain, July 1, 2007

1. Thurmont - Formerly Mechanicstown Marker

Inscription.
On June 29, 1863, Mechanicstown was full of the noise of an army on the move as Union Gen. John F. Reynolds marched I Corps to Emmitsburg. Until then, residents had only heard rumors of the advancing Confederates as nervous farmers hurried horses and personal belongings through town. Now they new the rumors were true. To guard the Federal rear, Gen. John Buford posted his reserve brigade, the First Cavalry Division, under the command of Gen. Wesley Merritt, here in Mechanicstown.

After the Battle of Gettysburg, Federals passed through the town again while pursuing the Army of Northern Virginia. On July 5, Confederate Gen. J.E.B. Stuart rested his cavalrymen for an hour outside of Mechanicstown near Graceham to feed and water their tired horses at a grain mill. Learning of Union cavalry here to guard the pass over the mountain to Cavetown (on present-day Rte. 77), he rode around Mechanicstown on paths through Harbaugh Valley. In the confusion of troop movements, stories spread that the Confederates had actually occupied Mechanicstown.

Although this was a stressful time, most area residents kept up their courage.

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One of Stuart’s cavalrymen noticed that a little girl helping water the horses was crying. Assuming she was terrified, he assured her that she could stop crying because she was in no danger. The girl replied that she was not afraid but had a very painful toothache. Life would soon return to normal here.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, US Civil. In addition, it is included in the Maryland Civil War Trails series list. A significant historical date for this entry is June 29, 1863.

Location. Marker has been reported permanently removed. It was located near 39° 37.436′ N, 77° 24.695′ W. Marker was in Thurmont, Maryland, in Frederick County. It was at the intersection of North Church Street and West Main Street (Maryland Route 77), on the left when traveling north on North Church Street. Located in Mechanicstown Square Park. Touch for map. Marker was at or near this postal address: 1 N Church St, Thurmont MD 21788, United States of America.

We have been informed that this marker is no longer there and will not be replaced. This page is an archival view of what was.

Regionally, this marker was in the Washington

Mechanicsburg Town Square Park image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Craig Swain, July 1, 2007

2. Mechanicsburg Town Square Park

Metropolitan Area

and in Central Maryland.

It was also in the American Mid-Atlantic.

Globally, it was in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it found 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 location: A different marker also named Thurmont (here, next to this marker); Creeger House (within shouting distance of this marker); Veterans Memorial (approx. 0.2 miles away); Thurmont Memorial Park (approx. 0.2 miles away); Welcome to The Thurmont Trolley Trail! (approx. 0.2 miles away); History of the Trolley Trail (approx. 0.2 miles away); A Walk Along the Trolley Trail (approx. 0.2 miles away); The Brotherhood of the Jungle Cock (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Thurmont.

More about this marker. The marker features a small picture of Thurmont from the early part of the 20th Century, captioned: The current name of Thurmont reflects the town’s location as “the gateway to the mountains.” Known as Mechanicstown
Photographed by Allen C. Browne, June 21, 2013

3. Mechanicsville Square Park
Dedicated April 28, 2001
during the Civil War, the proximity to the Catoctin Mountains was a cause for concern to area residents when they knew enemy troops were on the other side of the ridge.

Another photo is a 19th century view of Thurmont from the moutains (from the Thurmont Historical Society). Portraits of Gens. John Buford, Wesley Merritt, and J.E.B. Stuart are on the top center of the marker. And a map describing the Gettysburg campaign’s important landmarks and maneuvers is on the lower right corner.

Related marker. Click here for another marker that is related to this marker. New Replacement CWT Marker At This Location also titled "Thurmont".

Also see . . .
1. Thurmont Scrapbook. Emmitsburg Area Historical Society website entry (Submitted on July 4, 2007, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia.)

2. Wesley Merritt. Wikipedia entry (Submitted on February 26, 2022, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.)

Time Capsule<br>in Mechanicstown Square Park image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Allen C. Browne, June 21, 2013

4. Time Capsule
in Mechanicstown Square Park

In Celebration of
Thurmont's
250th Anniversary
A Time Capsule has been placed
Here and is to be opened in
2101

Credits. This page was last revised on November 6, 2024. It was originally submitted on July 4, 2007, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. This page has been viewed 2,668 times since then and 53 times this year. Last updated on November 6, 2024, by Mike McKeown of Baltimore, Maryland. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on July 4, 2007, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. 3, 4. submitted on June 22, 2013, by Allen C. Browne of Silver Spring, Maryland. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.