Near Frederick in Frederick County, Maryland — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Clustered Spires of Frederick
Photographed By Devry Becker Jones (CC0), November 6, 2020
John Greenleaf Whittier immortalized Barbara Fritchie and the town of Frederick in his poem about the elderly Frederick resident who supposedly displayed the Union flag as Southern soldiers marched by on September 10, 1862.
On July 9, 1864, Confederate General Jubal Early held up the town! "…we are going to make a demand upon the banks Frederick of $200,000, and if the demand is granted, very good, if not then the town will be reduced to ashes."
The Mayor, Alderman, and Common Council of Frederick borrowed the money from the five local banks and the town was spared. The final payment on the loans was made in 1951.
[Sidebar:]
In the same poem Whittier described the town and the surrounding valley:
Up from the meadows rich with corn,John Greenleaf Whittier
Clear in the cool September morn,
The clustered spires of Frederick stand
Green-walled by the hills of Maryland,
Round about them orchards sweep,
Apple and peach-tree fruited deep,
Fair as a garden of the Lord
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Arts, Letters, Music • War, US Civil. A significant historical month for this entry is July 1764.
Location. 39° 20.974′ N, 77° 23.386′ W. Marker is near Frederick, Maryland, in Frederick County. Marker can be reached from Interstate 270, on the right when traveling west. Located at a rest stop/scenic overlook loop reached from west bound I-270. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Frederick MD 21704, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. History of the Monocacy River Valley (here, next to this marker); The Battle That Saved Washington (a few steps from this marker); Civilians Under Siege (approx. half a mile away); Final Attack (approx. half a mile away); 10th Vermont Monument (approx. ¾ mile away); State of Pennsylvania Monument (approx. 0.8 miles away); Final Stand (approx. 0.8 miles away); Dennis Memorial (approx. 0.9 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Frederick.
More about this marker. On the upper left is a photograph of the church spires of Frederick. On the right is a photograph of "Confederate soldiers marching through Frederick." Lower on the right is a facsimile of the letter in response to General Early. Next to it is a photograph of a United States flag over the Barbara Fritchie house.
Related markers. Click here for a list of markers that are related to this marker. This marker is among several describing the battle of Monocacy, to "tour" the battlefield using the related HMBd markers sites.
Photographed By Devry Becker Jones (CC0), November 6, 2020
Credits. This page was last revised on April 27, 2022. It was originally submitted on November 4, 2007, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. This page has been viewed 4,351 times since then and 96 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on November 6, 2020, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. 3, 4. submitted on November 4, 2007, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. 5. submitted on August 10, 2015, by Allen C. Browne of Silver Spring, Maryland.