Washington Monument State Park

Recreation area in Washington County, Maryland, US

Washington Monument State Park

Washington Monument

Washington Monument State Park

Location in Maryland

Location| Frederick and Washington counties, Maryland, United States
Nearest town| Boonsboro, Maryland
Coordinates| 39°30′01″N 77°37′22″W﻿ / ﻿39.50028°N 77.62278°W﻿ / 39.50028; -77.62278[1]
Area| 191 acres (77 ha)[2]
Elevation| 1,545 ft (471 m)[1]
Established| 1934
Administered by| Maryland Department of Natural Resources
Designation| Maryland state park
Website| Official website

Washington Monument

U.S. National Register of Historic Places

Erected in Memory of Washington July 4th 1827 by the citizens of Boonsboro

Nearest city| Boonsboro, Maryland
Area| 104 acres (42 ha)
Built| 1827
Built by| Isaac C. Lutz
NRHP reference No.| 72000588
Added to NRHP| November 3, 1972

Washington Monument State Park is a public recreation area located approximately one mile (1.6 km) southeast of Boonsboro, Maryland. The park preserves the Washington Monument, a 40-foot-tall (12 m) tower honoring George Washington, the first President of the United States. The monument sits along the Appalachian Trail near the summit of South Mountain's Monument Knob. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1972.[3] The park is managed by the Maryland Department of Natural Resources.[4]

## History

[edit]

Washington Monument used as signal station during the Battle of South Mountain

Built in 1827, the original tower was the first monument dedicated to George Washington to be completed.[4] The Washington Monument in Baltimore was completed two years later, although it had been started considerably earlier in 1815. The famous Washington Monument in the District of Columbia was not completed until 1885.

The dry-laid stone tower was built on July 4, 1827, by the citizens of Boonsboro who marched to the site en masse after assembling in the town square at 7 a.m. At the end of that day, the tower stood at 15 feet (4.6 m) high on a base 54 feet (16 m) in circumference. Later that year, "after the busy season", workmen returned to complete the tower to a height of 30 feet (9.1 m).[5][6]

Owen Brown was the son of Abolitionist John Brown and the highest ranking surviving, uncaptured member of the party assembled for John Brown's Raid on Harpers Ferry. Owen led a party of five escapees from the failed raid to safety in the north. On or about the night of October 23, 1859 these men ascended the slope of South Mountain after circling around Turner's Gap to avoid the men and dogs lying in wait for them in the mountain pass. To their astonishment, there on the crest of the mountain was an odd stone tower. Owen Brown retold the experience during his only known interview in 1873, both he and the interviewer then still apparently unaware the men had stumbled upon Washington's Monument.[7]

Although it was a popular meeting place for the citizenry of Boonsboro, weather and vandalism reduced the monument to rubble. In that condition, it was used by the Union Army as a signal station during the Civil War.[8]

### First restoration

[edit]

In 1882, the Odd Fellows Lodge of Boonsboro sponsored the tower's restoration. A canopy was added and a vehicle road built up the mountainside. A decade later, however, the tower again fell into ruin when a crack in the wall was not repaired.[6]

### State park

[edit]

The Washington County Historical Society purchased the one-acre (0.40 ha) site in 1920 and deeded it to the state for use as a state park in 1934.[6]

### CCC restoration

[edit]

The tower was rebuilt in its present form by members of the Civilian Conservation Corps. Workers set in place the original cornerstone and a facsimile of the dedication tablet (pictured at right), and a third dedication ceremony was held on July 4, 1936.[6]

## Activities and amenities

[edit]

The park offers access to the Appalachian Trail,[9] picnicking facilities,[4] and a museum with exhibits on the natural and cultural history of the area.[5]

## See also

[edit]

* Memorials dedicated to George Washington
* Presidential memorials in the United States

## References

[edit]

1. ^ a b "Monument Knob". Geographic Names Information System. United States Geological Survey, United States Department of the Interior.
2. ^ "DNR Lands Acreage Report" (PDF). Maryland Department of Natural Resources. Retrieved October 10, 2024.
3. ^ "Washington Monument". Maryland's National Register Properties. Maryland Historical Trust. Retrieved October 20, 2016.
4. ^ a b c "Washington Monument State Park". Maryland Department of Natural Resources. Retrieved November 21, 2014.
5. ^ a b "Washington Monument History". Maryland Department of Natural Resources. Retrieved October 10, 2024.
6. ^ a b c d "Washington Monument State Park History". Maryland Department of Natural Resources. Archived from the original on December 3, 2013. Retrieved November 27, 2013.
7. ^ Ellis, Ted (2018). Snow on the Buds. Ted Ellis. p. 183\. ISBN 978-0998833033.
8. ^ Mrs. Preston Parish, Keeper of the Maryland Register (January 31, 1972). "Washington Monument" (PDF). National Register of Historic Places Registration Form. Maryland Historical Trust. Retrieved January 1, 2016.
9. ^ "Appalachian Trail". Maryland Department of Natural Resources. Retrieved December 30, 2019.

## External links

[edit]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Washington Monument State Park.

* Washington Monument State Park Maryland Department of Natural Resources

* v
* t
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George Washington

* 1st President of the United States (1789–1797)
* Senior Officer of the Army (1798–1799)
* Commander-in-Chief of the Continental Army (1775–1783)
* Delegate to the Second Continental Congress (1775)
* Delegate to the First Continental Congress (1774)

Military career
Revolutionary War|

* Military career
* French and Indian War
* Jumonville Glen
* Battle of Fort Necessity
* Battle of the Monongahela
* Forbes Expedition
* Washington in the American Revolution
* Commander-in-chief, Continental Army
* Aides-de-camp
* Washington's headquarters
* office and sleeping tent
* Boston campaign
* Siege of Boston
* New York and New Jersey campaign
* Delaware River crossing
* Battle of Trenton
* Battle of the Assunpink Creek
* Battle of Princeton
* Philadelphia campaign
* Battle of Brandywine
* Battle of Germantown
* Battle of White Marsh
* Valley Forge
* Battle of Monmouth
* Battles of Saratoga
* Sullivan Expedition
* Yorktown campaign
* Siege of Yorktown
* Culper Spy Ring
* Newburgh Conspiracy
* Newburgh letter
* Asgill Affair
* Evacuation Day
* Resignation as commander-in-chief
* Badge of Military Merit
* Purple Heart
* Washington Before Boston Medal
* Horses
* Nelson
* Blueskin

Other U.S.
founding events|

* Initiated, co-wrote, 1769 Virginia Association
* Initiated, 1774 Fairfax Resolves
* Continental Association
* Court of Appeals in Cases of Capture
* 1785 Mount Vernon Conference
* Chairman, 1787 Constitutional Convention
* George Washington's political evolution

Presidency
(timeline)|

* 1788–89 United States presidential election
* First inauguration
* inaugural bible
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* Attorney General
* Secretary of the Treasury
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* Judiciary Act of 1789
* Oath Administration Act
* Nonintercourse Act
* Park Watchmen
* Whiskey Rebellion
* Militia Acts of 1792
* Coinage Act of 1792
* United States Mint
* Presidential Succession Act of 1792
* United States Capitol cornerstone laying
* Proclamation of Neutrality
* Neutrality Act of 1794
* Jay Treaty
* Pinckney's Treaty
* Slave Trade Act of 1794
* Residence Act
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* Farewell Address
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* 1791
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Views and
public image|

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Life and homes|

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* Washington College
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* Electoral history of George Washington
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Memorials
and depictions|

* Washington, D.C.
* Washington state
* Washington Monument
* Mount Rushmore
* Washington's Birthday
* Purple Heart
* The Apotheosis of Washington
* Washington Monument (Boonsboro, Maryland)
* Washington Monument (Baltimore)
* Washington Monument (Philadelphia)
* George Washington (Houdon)
* plaster copy
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* George Washington (Canova)
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* George Washington (1984 miniseries
* 1986 sequel)
* A More Perfect Union (1989 film)
* The Crossing (2000 film)
* We Fight to Be Free (2006 film)
* Turn: Washington's Spies (2014–2017 series)
* The War that Made America (2006 miniseries)
* Washington (2020 miniseries)
* Hamilton (film)

Related|

* Bibliography
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* Founders Online
* Founding Fathers of the United States
* Republicanism
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* River Farm
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* George Washington Memorial Building
* Attempted theft of Washington's skull

Family|

* Martha Washington (wife)
* John Parke Custis (stepson)
* George Washington Parke Custis (step-grandson, adopted son)
* Eleanor Parke Custis (step-granddaughter, adopted daughter)
* Augustine Washington (father)
* Mary Ball Washington (mother)
* Lawrence Washington (half-brother)
* Augustine Washington Jr. (half-brother)
* Elizabeth Washington Lewis (sister)
* Samuel Washington (brother)
* John A. Washington (brother)
* Charles Washington (brother)
* Lawrence Washington (grandfather)
* Mildred Gale (grandmother)
* John Washington (great-grandfather)
* George Reade (2nd great-grandfather)
* Bushrod Washington (nephew)

Slavery|

* Washington and slavery
* List of enslaved people of Mount Vernon
* Betty
* Caroline Branham
* William Costin
* West Ford
* Sarah Johnson
* Oney Judge
* Philip Lee
* William Lee
* Hercules Posey
* Christopher Sheels
* Deborah Squash
* Harry Washington

* John Adams →

* Category
* Outline

* v
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U.S. National Register of Historic Places in Maryland

Topics|

* Contributing property
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Lists
by county|

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Lists by city|

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Other lists|

* Bridges
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* Category:National Register of Historic Places in Maryland
* Portal:National Register of Historic Places

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Protected areas of Maryland

Federal|

| National Battlefields|

* Antietam
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|

National Estuarine Research Reserves|

* Chesapeake Bay

National Historic Sites and Historical Parks|

* Chesapeake and Ohio Canal
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National Marine Sanctuaries|

* Mallows Bay–Potomac River

National Monuments|

* Fort McHenry

Federally-administered parks|

* Catoctin Mountain
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National Parkways|

* Baltimore-Washington
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National Seashores|

* Assateague Island

National Trails|

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National Wildlife Refuges|

* Blackwater
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Other|

* National Historic Landmarks
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* Wilderness Areas

State|

| State parks|

* Assateague
* Big Run
* Bill Burton Fishing Pier
* Calvert Cliffs
* Canal Place
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* Chapel Point
* Cunningham Falls
* Dans Mountain
* Deep Creek Lake
* Elk Neck
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* Gambrill
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* Palmer
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* Pocomoke River
* Point Lookout
* Purse
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* Rosaryville
* Sandy Point
* Seneca Creek
* Smallwood
* South Mountain
* St. Clement's Island
* St. Mary's River
* Susquehanna
* Swallow Falls
* Tuckahoe
* Washington Monument
* Wye Oak

|

State forests|

* Cedarville
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* Doncaster
* Elk Neck
* Garrett
* Green Ridge
* Mount Nebo
* Pocomoke
* Potomac
* Savage River
* Seth
* Stoney
* Wicomico

Wildlife management
areas|

* Avondale
* Belle Grove
* Billmeyer
* Bodkin Island
* Bowen
* Cedar Island
* Cedar Point
* Cheltenham
* Chicamuxen
* Chicone Creek
* Cunningham Swamp
* Dan's Mountain
* Deal Island
* Devil Island Area
* Dierssen
* E.A. Vaughn
* Earleville
* Ellis Bay
* Fairmount
* Fishing Bay
* Fort Hill
* Globe Com
* Gravel Hill Swamp
* Grove Farm
* Gwynnbrook
* Heater's Island
* Hopkins Branch
* Hugg-Thomas
* Idylwild
* Indian Springs
* Islands of the Potomac
* Isle of Wight
* Johnson
* Kent Island Research Center
* Le Compte
* Linkwood
* Little Patuxent Oxbow
* Maryland Marine Properties
* McIntosh Run
* McKee-Beshers
* Millington
* Mt. Nebo
* Myrtle Grove
* Nanjemoy
* Nanjemoy Creek
* Nanticoke River
* Old Bohemia
* Parker's Creek
* Pocomoke River
* Pocomoke Sound
* Prather's Neck
* Ridenour Swamp
* Riverside
* Sideling Hill
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* South Marsh Island
* Strider
* Tar Bay
* Taylors Island
* Warrior Mountain
* Wellington
* Wetipquin

Natural environment
areas|

* Belt Woods
* Mattawoman
* Morgan Run
* Severn Run
* Soldiers Delight
* Youghiogheny Scenic & Wild River
* Zekiah Swamp

County and
municipal|

| Parks and sanctuaries|

* Acorn
* Allen Pond
* Belmont
* Benjamin Banneker
* Blandair
* Carroll
* Centennial
* Clifton
* Constitution
* Cromwell Valley
* Cylburn Arboretum
* David Force
* Dinosaur
* Druid Hill
* Fairgrounds
* Falls Road
* Federal Hill
* Flag Ponds
* Fort Smallwood
* Foxhill
* Gene Mason
* Generals
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* Gwynns Falls/Leakin
* Hagerstown City
* Herring Run
* Jefferson Patterson
* Jonas Green
* Jug Bay Wetlands
* Kinder Farm
* Lake Artemesia
* Lake Elkhorn
* Lake Kittamaqundi
* Lake Roland
* Lakelands
* Liberty Reservoir
* Loch Raven
* Middle Patuxent
* Oregon Ridge
* Patterson
* Pen Mar
* Prettyboy Reservoir
* Quiet Waters
* Riverside
* Rockburn Branch
* Sligo Creek
* Symphony Woods
* Thomas A. Dixon Jr. Aircraft Observation Area
* Troy
* Wheaton
* Wilde Lake
* Wyman

|

Non-
governmental|

| Parks and sanctuaries|

* Battle Creek Cypress Swamp
* Conservation and Environmental Research Areas of UMBC
* Merkle Wildlife Sanctuary and Visitor's Center
* Mount Pleasant Farm Center
* Sherwood Gardens
* Somers Cove Marina
* Sugarloaf Mountain
* University of Maryland Arboretum & Botanical Garden
* Western Maryland Rail Trail
* Youghiogheny Scenic & Wild River

|

Nature centers|

* List

* Maryland Department of Natural Resources
* Maryland Forest Service
* Maryland Park Service

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