Downtown in Frederick in Frederick County, Maryland — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Frederick
A Town becomes a City
| | The Historic National Road, America's First Federally Funded Highway | |
Frederick Town was founded in 1745 when Daniel Dulany the Elder carved out an eastern portion of his 7,000 acre parcel patented as "Tasker's Chance." The town was then laid out in an orderly grid with Patrick Street designated as the east-west thoroughfare and Market Street running north-south. Most agree that the first house in town was built at the northeast corner of Patrick Street and Maxwell Alley by schoolteacher John Thomas Schley in 1746. National Road mile stone 45 now stands in front of the Schley house site.
Frederick Town prospered from the start. It became the seat of government when Frederick County was established in 1748. By 1800 it had 2,600 residents in 450 houses. Soon after, the Baltimore and Frederick-Town Turnpike, the first leg of the new National Road, arrived. During the next few decades, millions of travelers passed through Frederick which, by 1817, dropped the "Town" as it became a more respectable city.
[Captions:]
The Thomas Schley House, rendered in an artist's conception, stood here until it was demolished in 1853
An 1841 map of the "City of Frederick" distinctly shows the grid of streets that still exists in downtown Frederick. In the town's lower third, the National Road curves into Frederick's east end, straightens out on Patrick Street and then again curves southwest as it leaves town headed for the Braddock Heights.
This coach is stopped at J. Walter's shop in Frederick c. 1880. According to his sign, Mr. Walter was a dealer in wool and sheepskins, as well as a manufacturer of Neat's foot oil.
Erected by America's
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Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Colonial Era • Roads & Vehicles • Settlements & Settlers. In addition, it is included in the The Historic National Road series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1745.
Location. 39° 24.84′ N, 77° 24.538′ W. Marker is in Frederick, Maryland, in Frederick County. It is in Downtown. It is at the intersection of East Patrick Street (Maryland Route 144) and Maxwell Avenue, on the left when traveling west on East Patrick Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 102 E Patrick St, Frederick MD 21701, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in the Washington Metropolitan Area and in Central Maryland. It is also in the American Mid-Atlantic. Globally, it is in 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
Other markers no longer nearby. Frederick (was a few steps from this marker but has been replaced with another marker now near it); a different marker also named Frederick (was a few steps from this marker but has been replaced with another marker now near it); a different marker also named 1862 Antietam Campaign (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been replaced with another marker now near it); a different marker also named Hospitals in Frederick (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been replaced with another marker now near it); The National Road (was about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line but has been replaced with another marker now near it).
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 July 13, 2026. It was originally submitted on July 13, 2026, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 4 times since then. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on July 13, 2026, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.
