Middletown in Frederick County, Maryland — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Middletown
“Middle of What?”
— The Historic National Road - The Road That Built The Nation —
Photographed By J. J. Prats, June 2, 2006
1. Middletown – “Middle of What?” Marker
Noted for the tall white spire of the Zion Lutheran Church, Middletown has been framed by its picturesque valley for over two centuries. German Protestants, fleeing persecution in Europe, founded the community before the American Revolution. Michael Jesserong, who laid out the town, named it Middletown as he sold four lots to Conrad Crone in 1768. No one is sure what the name means. Perhaps it refers to the community as the center of its own Middletown Valley, midway between South Mountain and Braddock Heights.
That valley, with its rich agriculture, gave the town a ready marker from the start. When the National Road came through in the early 1800's, Middletown became a welcome respite between two steep mountain ridges. Harness, blacksmith and carriage shops joined the taverns and hotels that serviced the parade of travelers passing on Main Street. Locals began to refer to their street as "the main road from Baltimore to the western states." The "main road" also brought several Union and Confederate armies during the Civil War. Middletown was ransomed from Confederate General Jubal Early in 1864 for the grand sum of $1,500.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Roads & Vehicles • Settlements & Settlers
this page online
Location. 39° 26.63′ N, 77° 32.879′ W. Marker is in Middletown, Maryland, in Frederick County. Marker is at the intersection of West Main Street (Alternate U.S. 40) and Elm Street, on the left when traveling west on West Main Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 200 West Main Street, Middletown MD 21769, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 5 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. A different marker also named Middletown (here, next to this marker); a different marker also named Middletown (here, next to this marker); Lamar House (here, next to this marker); Appleman's Tannery (a few steps from this marker); Middletown in the Civil War (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Middletown.
More about this marker. One of a series of American Byways markers entitled "The Historic National Road. The Road that Built the Nation."
Also see . . . Middletown, Maryland website entry. (Submitted on March 8, 2022, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.)
Photographed By J. J. Prats, June 2, 2006
2. Close-Up of Photograph Reproduced on Marker
"East Main Street, looking west, Middletown, Md." "The white Zion Lutheran Church has been the signature structure in Middletown since it was built in 1859. At the time of this photo, Main Street, the National Pike, cut a wide, muddy swath through town."
Photographed By J. J. Prats, June 2, 2006
3. Markers in front of The Lamar House
This marker, and two others, facing the sidewalk in front of the Lamar House, once a turn-of-the-19th-century rural medical sanitarium. It is now headquarters for The Central Maryland Heritage League.
Photographed By Craig Swain, July 21, 2007
4. Zion Lutheran Church
Photographed By Brandon Fletcher, June 24, 2009
5. Middletown Marker
Markers located on right
Credits. This page was last revised on March 9, 2022. It was originally submitted on June 25, 2006, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio. This page has been viewed 2,310 times since then and 33 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on June 25, 2006, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio. 4. submitted on July 23, 2007, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. 5. submitted on August 9, 2015, by Brandon Fletcher of Chattanooga, Tennessee.
