Hagerstown in Washington County, Maryland — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)

The Poplar Tree

Photographed by Evan Dwyer, June 7, 2025

1. The Poplar Tree Marker

Inscription. The 300-year-old Tulip Poplar tree in the center of the Saint James School campus has been a symbol of strength and resilience. Over the years, this test of time has witnessed many events, from lavish colonial gatherings and troops marching by in the Civil War to the tragic fire of Claggett Hall and thousands of graduating students.

In 1976, the Poplar was declared as one of Maryland's Bicentennial Trees and was even cited as a large tree in the 1700's. A group of engineers and State Forestry officials gave the Poplar a checkup, and at that time the tree was measured to be 135-feet tall and 8-feet wide.

Today, the Poplar receives regular treatment and care by Antietam Tree & Turf, a local business owned by Saint James alumnus Randall Finn '86.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Education • Horticulture & Forestry. In addition, it is included in the Historic Trees series list.

Location. 39° 34.508′ N, 77° 45.52′ W. Marker is in Hagerstown, Maryland, in Washington County. It is on Onderdonk Drive, on the left when traveling east. Marker is on the campus of Saint James School. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 9535 Onderdonk Drive, Hagerstown MD 21740, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the Baltimore Metro Region

and in Western Maryland.

It is also in the American Mid-Atlantic,

in Appalachia,

and specifically in Northern Appalachia. 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.

Other nearby markers.

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At least 8 other markers are within 3 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Jones’s Crossroads (approx. 1.9 miles away); Jones’ Crossroads (approx. 1.9 miles away); St. Mark's Episcopal Church (approx. 2.1 miles away); African American Graves (approx. 2.1 miles away); Veterans Memorial (approx. 2.3 miles away); Seaman Craig Wibberley and Fireman Patrick Roy (approx. 2.3 miles away); a different marker also named Veterans Memorial (approx. 2.3 miles away); a different marker also named Veterans Memorial (approx. 2.3 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Hagerstown.

The Poplar Tree image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Evan Dwyer, June 7, 2025

2. The Poplar Tree

The Poplar Tree Maryland Bicentennial Tablet image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Evan Dwyer, June 7, 2025

3. The Poplar Tree Maryland Bicentennial Tablet

Located at the base of the tree.

The Poplar Tree with "new" Claggett Hall image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Evan Dwyer, June 7, 2025

4. The Poplar Tree with "new" Claggett Hall

Compared to the photo on the marker, the Claggett Hall rebuilt in 1926 after the original burned is a bit different from the original it supposedly replicates, but the tree still dwarfs the building no matter its incarnation. The original Claggett Hall was a repurposed mansion home built in 1796, called "Fountain Rock," and the steps shown leading to the portico today are still the same set of stone steps that graced the original building. These steps, called "The Senior Steps," are only for students in their senior year, visitors, and faculty; underclassmen are not allowed to use them.

Credits. This page was last revised on October 2, 2025. It was originally submitted on September 27, 2025, by Evan Dwyer of Richmond, Virginia. This page has been viewed 60 times since then and 26 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on September 27, 2025, by Evan Dwyer of Richmond, Virginia. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.