Hagerstown in Washington County, Maryland — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Hagerstown
Bringing Farm Products to Maryland's Great Valley
| — | The Historic National Road - The Road That Built The Nation | — |
Photographed by Christopher Busta-Peck, March 23, 2008
1. Hagerstown: Bringing Farm Products to Maryland's Great Valley Marker
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.
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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.”
Erected by America's Byways.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Agriculture • Roads & Vehicles. In addition, it is included in the The Historic National Road series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1739.
Location. This marker has been replaced by another marker nearby.
this page online
Regionally, this marker was in the Baltimore Metro Region and in Western Maryland. It was also in the American Mid-Atlantic, in Appalachia, and specifically in Northern Appalachia. Globally, it was in the North Atlantic Region, 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.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this location: A different marker also named Hagerstown (here, next to this marker); Gettysburg Campaign (here, next to this marker); Treatment of the Wounded (within shouting distance of 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). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Hagerstown.
Photographed by Christopher Busta-Peck, March 23, 2008
2. Hagerstown: Bringing Farm Products to Maryland's Great Valley Marker
Photographed by William Fischer, Jr., February 5, 2018
3. Hagerstown Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on January 11, 2026. It was originally submitted on March 24, 2008, by Christopher Busta-Peck of Shaker Heights, Ohio. This page has been viewed 1,758 times since then and 22 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on March 24, 2008, by Christopher Busta-Peck of Shaker Heights, Ohio. 3. submitted on February 24, 2018, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio.
