Near Keymar in Carroll County, Maryland — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
“Terra Rubra”
Photographed by William Pfingsten, October 14, 2007
1. "Terra Rubra" Marker
Erected 1963 by Maryland Historical Society.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Arts, Letters, Music • Patriots & Patriotism • War of 1812. In addition, it is included in the Maryland Historical Trust series list.
Location. 39° 36.812′ N, 77° 14.172′ W. Marker is near Keymar, Maryland, in Carroll County. It is at the intersection of Francis Scott Key Highway (Maryland Route 194) and Keysville Bruceville Road, on the right when traveling south on Francis Scott Key Highway. See Carroll County, Md. marker “Birthplace of Francis Scott Key” for photo of house. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Taneytown MD 21787, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in Central Maryland. It is also in the American Mid-Atlantic. 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 and also the Antebellum South.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 5 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Bruceville Encampment (about 700 feet away, measured in a direct line); Birthplace of Francis Scott Key (approx. 1.1 miles away); Middleburg (approx. 1.4 miles away); Army of the Potomac (approx. 1.7 miles away); Francis Scott Key (approx. 1.8 miles away); The First Reaping Machine
this page online
Photographed by Craig Swain, June 28, 2008
2. “Terra Rubra” Marker
Photographed by William Pfingsten, October 14, 2007
3. Terra Rubra
Francis Scott Key was born in Frederick County in 1780. Carroll County was later created from parts of Baltimore County and Frederick County.
Photographed by Allen C. Browne, January 2, 2015
4. Terra Rubra
Francis Scott Key
Photographed by Allen C. Browne, January 2, 2015
5. Terra Rubra Farm
Circa 1753
Circa 1753
Photographed by Adam Margolis, September 22, 2025
6. “Terra Rubra” Marker
Photographed by Adam Margolis, September 22, 2025
7. “Terra Rubra” Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on September 25, 2025. It was originally submitted on October 15, 2007, by Bill Pfingsten of Bel Air, Maryland. This page has been viewed 6,320 times since then and 114 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on October 15, 2007, by Bill Pfingsten of Bel Air, Maryland. 2. submitted on June 29, 2008, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. 3. submitted on October 15, 2007, by Bill Pfingsten of Bel Air, Maryland. 4, 5. submitted on January 6, 2015, by Allen C. Browne of Silver Spring, Maryland. 6, 7. submitted on September 24, 2025, by Adam Margolis of Mission Viejo, California. • J. J. Prats was the editor who published this page.
