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

Fort Coombe

Photographed by J. J. Prats, August 5, 2006

1. Fort Coombe Marker

Inscription. Fort Coombe, a Maryland stockaded fort of 1755–56 located north of this point. One of the frontier forts during the French and Indian War. The survey of the Mason and Dixon Line during 1763–68 placed it in Pennsylvania instead of Maryland.

Erected 1937 by the State Roads Commission.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Forts and Castles • Political Subdivisions • War, French and Indian. In addition, it is included in the Maryland Historical Trust series list.

Location. 39° 42.039′ N, 78° 11.094′ W. Marker is in Hancock, Maryland, in Washington County. It is at the intersection of Virginia Avenue and High Street, on the left when traveling north on Virginia Avenue. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Hancock MD 21750, 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 North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

Paid Advertisement

Click or scan to see
this page online

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 5 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Hancock's Orchard Industry (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); Joseph Hancock, Jr. (about 500 feet away); Hancock United Methodist Church (about 600 feet away); Lt. Gen. Richard K. Sutherland (approx. 0.2 miles away); The Tonoloways (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Hancock.

Regarding Fort Coombe. Fort Coombs was in the Tonoloways Settlement. Before Mason and Dixon settled the border between Maryland and Virginia, there was a number of disputes between the states with county Sheriffs seizing land and livestock to settle purported unpaid back taxes.

Also see . . . Coombs Fort of the Tonoloways Settlement of Maryland and Pennsylvania. (Submitted on January 25, 2007.)

Additional commentary.
1. House built on site of Fort Coombe
There was a white, twelve room house built on this site and according to the man that owned it, the house was used as a hospital

Photographed by Mike Wintermantel, March 9, 2024

2. Fort Coombe Marker

Arrow pointing to left.

during the Civil War. There was also one room that was used for a Headquarters. It had a large marble fire place and a ceiling of various tin designs. Some of the rooms upstairs were small as if they were hospital rooms at one time.

I lived in the house when I attended high school in the early 1950s. The spring house was supposed to have been used also during the war. We used it also because the water was cool, fresh and free running. The spring house is in shambles but still standing. I want to get a picture of it before it completely goes. Note To Editor only visible by Contributor and editor

— Submitted February 21, 2009, by betty AnnWertz of Warfordsburg, PA Fulton County.

Additional keywords. Coombs, Combs

Photographed by J. J. Prats, August 5, 2006

3. Fort Coombe Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on December 30, 2024. It was originally submitted on January 25, 2007, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio. This page has been viewed 5,391 times since then and 89 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on January 25, 2007, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio. 2. submitted on March 11, 2024, by Mike Wintermantel of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. 3. submitted on January 25, 2007, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio.

Editor’s want-list for this marker. Photos of the Fort Coombe site • Can you help?