Learn About The History Of Frederick MD
A Rich Past
Frederick County is a hub of commerce, culture and art. It has 65,000 residents and is the second largest city in Maryland. Frederick city is only less than an hour from Baltimore, MD and Washington, DC. Frederick boasts of a highly educated workforce, high quality of live as well as a balanced and thriving economy. Its rich history is something one would be interested to learn.
The development of Frederick city
Frederick town was first founded in 1745 on a tract of land on the banks of Caroll Creek, which was laid out by Daniel Dulany. Mr. Daniel was a land speculator was was settled by Led Johann Schley, a German immigrant. Mr. Johann and his wife constructed the first house in the city. In less than three years, this settlement had become an integral part of the county, and is an essential aspect of the city's history.
The Town name
It is not clear which Frederick the town had been named after. However, some of the likeliest candidates are Frederick Lewis (Prince of Wales), Frederick Calvert (the 6th Baron Baltimore) and Frederick "The Great" (of Prussia). Most sources claim that it was Frederick Calvert that the city was named for.
As the leader of the settlement party
Johann's first role was to found the German reformed church. Today the church is known as the Evangelical Reformed church. The German reformed tradition was to sponsor universal public education. To conform to this culture, the church housed a public school.
The significance of Frederick town during the French and Indian war
Frederick was a stop on the German migration route that led into the Shenandoah Valley. Therefore, many Dutch men settled in the city as they migrated westward during the late 18th century. Frederick city also served as a significant crossroads during the colonial times.
The British General Braddock would march west via the city to the fateful ambush close to the Fort Duquesne during the Indian and French war. The British felt the need to control the crossroads during the American war. To do this, they built barracks in the town. After the war, the Hessian regiment had no way to return to their countries so they stayed in Frederick and married into the families in the city.
Early industrialization
From the onset, Frederick was a famous commercial town. By the begining of the 19th century, it had grown to be a leading mining county of the United States. It produced marble, gold, limestone, iron, and copper, among other minerals. During the American Revolution, the Catoctin Furnace close to the Thurmount had grown to be significant iron production site. President Abraham Lincoln gave a civil war speech at the train depot of the time.
Early religion
One of the leading members from the Johann's family married into the Wilson family from Ireland. This happened after the first Irish refuges settled in Frederick after the potato famine in 1846. As a result, many of the Johanns converted into Catholicism, and the town's residents started speaking English for the first time. Before then, the primary language had been German. Frederick was famous for its religious pluralism, which was signaled by the half dozen of significant churches along Church Street. The dominant Catholic Church was St. John's, which was constructed in 1800 and rebuilt in 1837. The present church stands one block from the old one.
Key historical sites
The civil war saw the conversion of several of the downtown churches into hospitals for the wounded soldiers from the many battles around Frederick town. The civil war medicine museum speaks volumes about this happening.
The first high school that allowed African Americans was founded in 1921 at 170 West All Saints Street. It was later moved to 250 Madison Street, where its name eventually changed to South Frederick Elementary. The building still stands today, and it houses the Lincoln Elementary school.
There are several historic civil war sites in Frederick city. One of them is the site where three episodes of the battle of South Mountain took place. It lies along Alternate US 40. Another similar historic site is the Harper's Ferry. It is here that a major Federal arsenal stood.
The history of Frederick town has a significant influence on its culture. The city is a home of many tourists attraction, something that has seen the residents experience high quality of life. You might want to visit the town.