Hagerstown in Washington County, Maryland — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Hagerstown
Bringing Farm Products to Maryland's Great Valley
| | The Road That Built The Nation | |
Following Jonathan Hager's arrival in 1739, German and Scots-Irish immigrants settled in Maryland's Great Valley, developing prosperous farms. By the mid 1790's, agriculture was booming and the region needed a way to get its products to market. Community leaders proposed construction of a good road from Hagerstown to Baltimore.
Almost thirty years later, a new "National Road" reached Hagerstown. The town expanded as a freight center and stagecoach destination. An endless stream of Conestoga Wagons carrying freight east and west launched the small community into a new era.
[Sidebar:]
Turnpike Declaration
The 1797 Turnpike Declaration by leading citizens of Hagerstown is a ringing endorsement of the proposed National Road. The Road would "produce advantages of the first magnitude an institution which injures none but benefits all, not only deserves but demands the support of every citizen who wishes for the prosperity of this Country."
[Captions:]
A July 5, 1833 ad in the weekly Hagerstown newspaper announces a new stage line that will serve Hagerstown and is "inferior to none in the U. States."
The National Road, and the public square, bustle with activity in early twentieth century Hagerstown.
Erected by
this page online
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Colonial Era • Industry & Commerce • Roads & Vehicles • Settlements & Settlers. In addition, it is included in the The Historic National Road series list. A significant historical date for this entry is July 5, 1833.
Location. 39° 38.547′ N, 77° 43.188′ W. Marker is in Hagerstown, Maryland, in Washington County. It is on North Potomac Street (Maryland Route 65) north of East Washington Street, on the left when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 14 N Potomac St, 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. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Gettysburg Campaign (a few steps from this marker); Treatment of the Wounded (a few steps from this marker); First Battle of Hagerstown (within shouting distance of this marker); Second Battle of Hagerstown (within shouting distance of this marker); Hagerstown Ransomed (within shouting distance of this marker); A City Divided (within shouting distance of this marker); Hagerstown Commercial Core Historic District (within shouting distance of this marker); Ransom of Hagerstown (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Hagerstown.
Another marker is no longer nearby.
Related marker. Click here for another marker that is related to this marker. This marker has replaced the linked marker.
Credits. This page was last revised on January 11, 2026. It was originally submitted on January 11, 2026, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 44 times since then. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on January 11, 2026, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.
