Historical Markers and War Memorials in Westminster, Maryland
Westminster is the county seat for Carroll County
Westminster is in Carroll County
Carroll County(210) ► ADJACENT TO CARROLL COUNTY Baltimore County(336) ► Frederick County(558) ► Howard County(143) ► Adams County, Pennsylvania(1436) ► York County, Pennsylvania(438) ►
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This 1930s Farm F12 tractor was restored by Ken and Sharon Pickett of Killdeer Valley Farm, Bethel Road, Woodbine, Md.
It was purchased new by Thomas Bower, Ken's great uncle and neighbor. — — Map (db m188465) HM
The City of Westminster and the citizens of Carroll County proudly honor the brave men of the 1st Delaware Cavalry and the vanguard of Gen. J.E.B. Stuart's cavalry who fought and died during this engagement in the Gettysburg Campaign. We commend the . . . — — Map (db m201548) WM
After the cavalry engagement here on June 29, 1863, Westminster’s citizens cared for dozens of wounded of both sides. Besides the human toll, shattered and broken cannons, gun carriages, and caissons lined both sides of Court Street to Main Street . . . — — Map (db m201634) HM
First and Second Brigades First Cavalry Division marched from Taneytown to Westminster, the Reserve Brigade of First Cavalry Division from Emmitsburg to the field of Gettysburg, and the Second Brigade Second Cavalry Division from Manchester to . . . — — Map (db m13854) HM
Headquarters Army of the Potomac moved from Frederick to Middleburg, First and Eleventh Corps marched from Frederick to Emmitsburg, Second Corps from Monocacy Junction via Liberty and Johnsville to Uniontown, Third Corps from near Woodsborough to . . . — — Map (db m13856) HM
Bantam chickens — or "banties" as they are affectionately called — are a naturally occurring small breed of chicken. Known for their ability to brood or hatch eggs, banties were long kept on English game farms for just this skill. Unlike other . . . — — Map (db m188415) HM
Like most forms of winter transportation, basket sleighs were designed to glide easily across the snow and ice for a smooth and leisurely ride. Basket sleighs were made of durable wood or wicker to support riders and block against inclement weather. . . . — — Map (db m188402) HM
Sgt. Charles L. Billingslea, Jr., USAF
Pfc. Charles A. Crew, USA
Pfc. Louis A. Damewood, USA
Pvt. William H. Dolson, USA
Pvt. Charles K. Eckard, USA
Sgt. Leslie L. Fairchild, USA
1st Lt. Nelson E. Fenwick, USA
Pfc. Charles E. . . . — — Map (db m155342) WM
[Entrance plaque:]
Carroll County
Vietnam Veterans Memorial
[Small plaque laid in the ground:]
We bond this memorial with the national and state memorials by the names enclosed below
The names were brought to this . . . — — Map (db m114517) WM
Carroll Hall - 1873
President's House - 1889
Levine Hall - 1891
Baker Chapel - 1895
Alumni Hall - 1896
Ward Memorial Arch - 1898
Designated Historical Places
on the
National Register
U.S. Department of the . . . — — Map (db m147270) HM
Chickens have been part of the American diet since the days of the Spanish explorers. Since that time, different breeds have been developed to provide meat and eggs. The American Poultry Association began defining breeds in 1873. Breed standards . . . — — Map (db m188416) HM
Clod-crushers. Clod-crushers broke up large chunks of earth left by plows or packed the soil to enhance germination.
Harrows. Harrows smoothed newly plowed fields or covered newly sown seed for better germination.
Plows. . . . — — Map (db m188421) HM
Here June 29, 1863, Captain Charles Corbit led Companies C and D, First Delaware Cavalry, against General J. E. B. Stuart’s cavalry division. Though repelled by overwhelming force, the attack delayed Stuart, and was a factor in his failure to reach . . . — — Map (db m3024) HM
In June, 1863, as Gen. Robert E. Lee’s infantry marched through Maryland on its second invasion of the North, Lee lost contact with Gen. J.E.B. Stuart as the cavalry commander led his force east and north around the Union army. Here, on the . . . — — Map (db m13832) HM
Blacksmith-made hoes for weeding were replaced by horse drawn cultivators by 1820. Cultivators both loosened the soil and killed weeds. Harrows and shallow turning plows were similarly used. — — Map (db m188417) HM
A block away, at what is now 71 East Main Street, stood the Abner Neal house. In August 1862, Federal soldiers arrested sixteen Westminster residents as Southern sympathizers and escorted them to Baltimore for questioning. The group, soon released, . . . — — Map (db m114404) HM
During the Civil War, some Westminster families supported the Confederacy while others stood by the Union. Among the latter was Mary Ann “Mollie” Huber, who organized a dozen other like minded ladies into a sewing circle that met at her house. . . . — — Map (db m201643) HM
On June 29, 1863, Confederate Gen. Robert E. Lee’s infantry was in Pennsylvania, and Gen. J.E.B. Stuart’s cavalry arrived here on the outskirts of Westminster. Gen. Fitzhugh Lee’s division led the column, which numbered 6,000 including cavalrymen . . . — — Map (db m13826) HM
A. One-Horse "Little Favorite Five" Disc Grain Drill.
B. One-Horse Corn Planter.
C. Expanding Cultivator. This cultivator adjusts to the width of the rows.
D. Cover.
E. Sulky Cultivator. Sulky or riding cultivators were developed by 1860. . . . — — Map (db m188418) HM
A. Cultipacker. This cultipacker was manufactured by the Durham Company of Berea, Ohio. It was used to break up large clods of dirt after harrowing. Larger varieties were often pulled along behind a harrow.
B. Clod Crusher.
C. Harrow.
D. . . . — — Map (db m188420) HM
A. Sub Soil Plow, c. 1700s. Sub soil plows were used to deepen furrows already plowed. Deep furrows allowed better moisture retention and root penetration.
B. Potato Plow, c. 1890.
C. 1850s Plow.
D. Hillside Plow 745X or Two-Way Plow. . . . — — Map (db m188423) HM
A. Stone Burr Mill for grinding grain, c. 1850.
B. Crank Fodder Chopper
C. Lever Fodder Chopper. Fodder choppers used either knives or rollers to cut and chop forage for animal feed, making it more palatable with less waste.
D. Hominy Mill. . . . — — Map (db m188428) HM
In June 1864, Confederate Gen. Robert E. Lee sent Gen. Jubal A. Early's corps from the Richmond battlefields to the Shenandoah Valley to counter Union Gen. David Hunter's army. After driving Hunter into West Virginia, Early invaded . . . — — Map (db m201507) HM
After stunning victories at Fredericksburg and Chancellorsville, Virginia, early in May 1863, Confederate Gen. Robert E. Lee carried the war through Maryland, across the Mason and Dixon Line and into Pennsylvania. His infantry marched north through . . . — — Map (db m75738) HM
After stunning victories at Fredericksburg and Chancellorsville, Virginia, early in May 1863, Confederate Gen. Robert E. Lee carried the war through Maryland, across the Mason and Dixon Line and into Pennsylvania. His infantry marched north . . . — — Map (db m114403) HM
In Colonial America, farmers used methods that had changed little since Roman times. But, with the advent of the Industrial Revolution, the farmer's life and tools changed dramatically. Work was still long and hard, but new methods and machinery . . . — — Map (db m188426) HM
Robert and Rosia Day donated this wormseed oil still to the Carroll County Farm Museum in May 2014. All wormseed operations were labor intensive and often involved the entire family during the growing, harvesting and distillation process. The Days . . . — — Map (db m188463) HM
This memorial honors all American veterans who, although separated by generations, shared a common, undeniable goal—to valiantly protect our country's freedoms.
The memories of these American veterans will continue to live on whenever and . . . — — Map (db m114408) WM
Established in 1909, became largest organization in Maryland advocating for women’s suffrage. Local chapters were founded throughout the state including in Westminster in 1913. By 1915 statewide membership numbered 17,000. The League’s campaign . . . — — Map (db m139586) HM
Katahdin are a breed of 'hair sheep' developed in the United States by amateur geneticist Michael Piel. The term 'hair sheep' means that Katahdins do not produce a fleece and do not require shearing. Their coats come in a variety of colors and . . . — — Map (db m188408) HM
Landon C. Burns was born in 1897 in Virginia. He graduated from the University of Maryland with a B.S. Degree in Agriculture Education and later earned an M.S. Degree in Rural Sociology. The man who was often called "Mr. Carroll County" was . . . — — Map (db m114412) HM
A tribute
Mayor Joseph L. Mathias 1884-1963
A community leader who served the city of Westminster with dedication and distinction over a period of thirty -two years.
City Councilman 1927-1937
Mayor of Westminster 1942-1963
Eliminated . . . — — Map (db m103912) HM
Until this or future
generations shall provide
a more fitting tribute,
this simple gateway
is erected as a memorial
for the dead
and testimonial to
the living soldiers and
others from Carroll County
who served in the . . . — — Map (db m114402) WM
This house built in 1795, by
Col. Joshua Gist on land granted to him
in 1782 and occupied by him until 1839.
Willed to Harriet Gist 1839,
occupied by her until 1865.
Willed to Mordecai Gist 1865
by whom occupied until 1903.
Purchased . . . — — Map (db m103300) HM
Site of Abner Neal home. His sons, Henry and Frank, were arrested on Aug. 28, 1862 as Southern supporters. Released, they joined the Army of Virginia and returned with Stuart's advance guard on June 29, 1863, en route to Gettysburg.
Here, Brig. . . . — — Map (db m188573) HM
Planting. Grain was sown by broadcasting (throwing) or hand seeders until 1850, when horse-drawn grain drills were introduced.
Fertilizing. Depending on crops and funds, Carroll County farmers used a variety of fertilizers such as . . . — — Map (db m188419) HM
When Maryland's legislature approved the formation of Carroll County in 1837, it required the residents to build a courthouse, jail, register's office, clerk's office and a poorhouse.
In 1852, the County Commissioners purchased 307 acres on the . . . — — Map (db m114411) HM
Processing crops included everything from chopping forage for cattle and grinding grain to shelling corn. A wide variety of machines were invented for these farm jobs. — — Map (db m188444) HM
Pygmy Goats were first bred in Africa and later were imported to the United States as research and zoo animals. today the breed is commonly found as pets and exhibition animals due to its gentle, friendly nature and hardiness. The Pygmy goat is . . . — — Map (db m188412) HM
The Carroll County Barn Quilt Trail honors Carroll County's agrarian culture by bringing together historic barns and a "sampler" of quilt block patterns. These quilt blocks include both classic patterns that depict life in a rural society as well . . . — — Map (db m188399) HM
In the United States was inaugurated by the post office department on December 20, 1899 covering the whole of Carroll County and small parts of adjacent counties with Westminster as the central distributing point. — — Map (db m3023) HM
This line of bricks marks the location of a log structure that stood behind the Sherman-Fisher-Shellman House.
The one-and-one-half story structure served as a loom house. The 1822 inventory of the estate of Jacob Sherman, the first owner of . . . — — Map (db m188396) HM
Built in 1854 as an Odd Fellows Hall and served as an "Opera House" and community center for nearly a century. Reported to have been used by Union troops during the Civil War.
Opera House printing company located here in 1976 by its owner, . . . — — Map (db m103704) HM
After Confederate Gen. Robert E. Lee's smashing victory over Union Gen. John Pope at the Second Battle of Manassas, Lee decided to invade Maryland to reap the fall harvest, gain Confederate recruits, earn foreign recognition of the . . . — — Map (db m201697) HM
Why was the meat cured & smoked?
To preserve it and add flavor.
How long did it take to smoke a piece of meat?
It took 5 to 7 days.
How long could meat be stored in the Smokehouse?
Meat could be stored up to 1 year. . . . — — Map (db m188430) HM
The Trumbo-Chrest House
has been placed on the
National Register
of Historic Places
by the United States
Department of the Interior — — Map (db m114397) HM
For centuries, people have raised turkeys for food and for the joy of having them. There are many varieties of these heritage birds, such as Black, Bronze, White Holland, Slate and Bourbon Red — just to name a few. Turkeys have a distinct wattle, . . . — — Map (db m188413) HM
Dedicated to all the living and deceased veterans from Tremont Place who served in the Armed Forces and the men and women who supported their efforts. — — Map (db m199359) WM
In dedication to the men and women who served during the Vietnam War. The City of Westminster remembers those who fought and those who sacrificed their lives to defend our freedom and ideals. — — Map (db m155341) WM
Mary B. Shellman, community leader and 1913 founding president Carroll County Just Government League, educated voters here 1920. — — Map (db m188390) HM
County seat of Carroll County, founded 1764 first called Winchester for its founder William Winchester (1710-1790), who was born in Westminster, England (now a part of Greater London) Westminster Academy incorporated 1839 (later absorbed into the . . . — — Map (db m75698) HM
During the Civil War, railroads for the first time attained strategic importance for transporting troops and equipment. On July 1, 1863, Gen. Herman Haupt, chief of U.S. Military Railroads, assumed control here of the Western Maryland Railroad to . . . — — Map (db m13828) HM
At the rear of this property there is a green stone marking the starting point for the patent of White's Level of September 27, 1738, and for the survey of the town of Westminster made by William Winchester in 1764, and shown on the plat recorded by . . . — — Map (db m148316) HM
Dedicated to the honor and sacrifice of the men and women of Westminster who served in the armed forces of the United States in all wars. — — Map (db m103826) WM
Bennett Alfred Cerf (1898-1971) was a publisher, founder and chairman of the publishing house Random House. He was also a well known writer of many humor books and a popular panelist on television's long-running game show, What's My Line? . . . — — Map (db m199358) HM
This tablet is erected in loving memory of our sons who made the Supreme Sacrifice while serving our country
1917 · World War I · 1918
John A. Alexander • Burton J. Asper • Carl W. Beasman • Charles C. Billingslea • Herman E. Brown • . . . — — Map (db m155343) WM
Distillation was found to be the best way to extract wormseed oil so numerous crude distillation units were built in Carroll County and the surrounding area. A vat, or kettle, was loaded with as much of the wormseed stalk as possible and stamped . . . — — Map (db m188468) HM
In early spring, wormseed plants were grown with some of the previous year's seeds in newly cleared ground. The six to eight inch tall plants were then transplanted to the field in June. Plants were cultivated until mature for harvesting in . . . — — Map (db m188464) HM
Wormseed oil was a major cash crop for farmers in the Piedmont region of Maryland for more than 75 years. Before 1820 wormseed was considered a weed until the oil extracted from the plant was recognized as a treatment for roundworm, hookworm and . . . — — Map (db m188467) HM
