Hagerstown, Maryland

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Hagerstown, Maryland
City
City of Hagerstown
Downtown Hagerstown's southbound Potomac Street in November 2007.
Downtown Hagerstown's southbound Potomac Street in November 2007.
Official seal of Hagerstown, Maryland
Nicknames: 
Hub City, Maryland's Gateway to the West,[1] H-Town, (formerly) Home of the Flying Boxcar
Motto(s): 
A Great Place to Live, Work, and Visit
Location in Maryland and in Washington County
Location in Maryland and in Washington County
Hagerstown is located in Maryland
Hagerstown
Hagerstown
Location within the U.S. state of Maryland
Coordinates: 39°38′34″N 77°43′12″W / 39.64278°N 77.72000°W / 39.64278; -77.72000Coordinates: 39°38′34″N 77°43′12″W / 39.64278°N 77.72000°W / 39.64278; -77.72000
Country United States
State Maryland
County Washington
Founded1762
Incorporated1813
Government
 • MayorEmily Keller
 • City Council
Council members
 • State SenatorPaul D. Corderman (R)
 • State DelegateBrenda J. Thiam (R)
 • U.S. CongressDavid Trone (D)
Area
 • City12.18 sq mi (31.54 km2)
 • Land12.17 sq mi (31.51 km2)
 • Water0.01 sq mi (0.03 km2)
 • Urban
76.7 sq mi (196.4 km2)
 • Metro
1,019 sq mi (2,637 km2)
Elevation
538 ft (164 m)
Population
 (2010)[3]
 • City39,662
 • Estimate 
(2019)[4]
40,100
 • Density3,296.07/sq mi (1,272.67/km2)
 • Urban
120,326
 • Urban density1,568.8/sq mi (612.7/km2)
 • Metro
269,140
 • Metro density260/sq mi (100/km2)
 • Demonym
Hagerstonian
Time zoneUTC−5 (Eastern (EST))
 • Summer (DST)UTC−4 (EDT)
ZIP code(s)
21740-21749
Area code(s)301, 240
FIPS code24-36075
GNIS feature ID0598385
Websitewww.hagerstownmd.org

Hagerstown /ˈhɡərztn/[5] is a city in Washington County, Maryland, United States and the county seat of Washington County.[6] The population of Hagerstown city proper at the 2010 census was 39,662, and the population of the Hagerstown-Martinsburg Metropolitan Area (extending into West Virginia) was 269,140. Hagerstown ranks as Maryland's sixth-largest incorporated city.[7]

Hagerstown has a distinct topography, formed by stone ridges running from northeast to southwest through the center of town. Geography accordingly bounds its neighborhoods. These ridges consist of upper Stonehenge limestone. Many of the older buildings were built from this stone, which is easily quarried and dressed onsite. It whitens in weathering and the edgewise conglomerate and wavy laminae become distinctly visible, giving a handsome and uniquely “Cumberland Valley” appearance. Several of Hagerstown's churches are constructed of Stonehenge limestone. Its value and beauty as building rock may be seen particularly in St. John's Episcopal Church on West Antietam Street and the Presbyterian Church at the corner of Washington and Prospect Streets. Brick and concrete eventually displaced this native stone in the construction process.[8]

Hagerstown anchors the Hagerstown-Martinsburg, MD-WV Metropolitan Statistical Area, which lies just northwest of the Washington-Baltimore-Northern Virginia, DC-MD-VA-WV Combined Statistical Area in the heart of the Great Appalachian Valley. The population of the metropolitan area in 2010 was 269,140. Greater Hagerstown is the fastest-growing metropolitan area in the state of Maryland and among the fastest growing in the United States, as of 2009.[9]

Despite its semi-rural Western Maryland setting, Hagerstown is a center of transit and commerce. Interstates 81 and 70, CSX, Norfolk Southern, and the Winchester and Western railroads, and Hagerstown Regional Airport form an extensive transportation network for the city. Hagerstown is also the chief commercial and industrial hub for a greater Tri-State Area that includes much of Western Maryland as well as significant portions of South Central Pennsylvania and the Eastern Panhandle of West Virginia. Hagerstown has often been referred to as, and is nicknamed, the Hub City.[1] A person born in Hagerstown is officially called a Hagerstonian.

History[]

Founding[]

The Hager House and Museum in Hagerstown City Park was once home to the city's founder, Jonathan Hager.
Burnside's Bridge, a site of heavy combat in the Battle of Antietam, which occurred south of Hagerstown.
Hagerstown Public Square circa 1900.

In 1739, Jonathan Hager, a German immigrant from Pennsylvania and a volunteer Captain of Scouts, purchased 200 acres (81 ha) of land in the Great Appalachian Valley between the Blue Ridge and Allegheny Mountains in Maryland and called it Hager's Fancy. In 1762, Hager officially founded the town of Elizabethtown which he named after his wife, Elizabeth Kershner. Fourteen years later, Jonathan Hager became known as the "Father of Washington County" after his efforts helped Hagerstown become the county seat of newly created Washington County, which Hager also helped create from neighboring Frederick County. The City Council changed the community's name to Hager's-Town in 1813 because the name had gained popular usage, and in the following year, the Maryland State Legislature officially endorsed the changing of the town's name.[1][10]

In 1794, government forces arrested 150 citizens during a draft riot which was staged by protesters in response to the Whiskey Rebellion.[11]

American Civil War[]

Hagerstown's strategic location at the border between the North and the South made the city a primary staging area and supply center for four major campaigns during the Civil War. In 1861, General Robert Patterson's troops used Hagerstown as a base to attack Virginia troops in the Shenandoah Valley. In the Maryland Campaign of 1862, General James Longstreet's command occupied the town while en route to the Battle of South Mountain and Antietam. In 1863, the city was the site of several military incursions and engagements as Gen. Robert E. Lee's army invaded and retreated in the Gettysburg Campaign. In 1864, Hagerstown was invaded by the Confederate army under Lt. Gen. Jubal Early. On Wednesday, July 6, Early sent 1,500 cavalry, commanded by Brig. Gen. John McCausland, into Hagerstown. The Confederates levied a ransom of $20,000 and a large amount of clothing,[12] in retribution for U.S. destruction of farms, feed and cattle in the Shenandoah Valley. This is in contrast to neighboring Chambersburg, Pennsylvania, which McCausland razed on July 30 when the borough failed to supply the requested ransom of $500,000 in U.S. currency, or $100,000 in gold.

Following the war, in 1872 Maryland and Virginia cooperated to re-inter Confederate dead from their impromptu graves to cemeteries in Hagerstown, Frederick and Shepherdstown, West Virginia. Roughly 60% however, remained unidentified. In 1877, 15 years after the Battle of Antietam, also known as the Battle of Sharpsburg, approximately 2,800 Confederate dead from that battle and also from the battles on South Mountain were re-interred in Washington Confederate Cemetery, within Rose Hill Cemetery in Hagerstown.[13][14]

Railroads[]

Hagerstown's nickname of the "Hub City" originated from the large number of railroads (and roads) that served the city. Hagerstown was the center of the Western Maryland Railway and an important city on the Pennsylvania, Norfolk and Western, Baltimore and Ohio, and Hagerstown and Frederick Railroads. Currently, the city is a vital location on CSX, Norfolk Southern, and the Winchester and Western Railroads.

Hagerstown was formerly served by the Hagerstown & Frederick Railway, an interurban trolley system, from 1896 to 1947.

Little Heiskell[]

The weathervane known as "Little Heiskell", a symbol of the city of Hagerstown, Maryland.

One of the most recognizable symbols of Hagerstown is the weathervane known as "Little Heiskell". Named after the German tinsmith Benjamin Heiskell who crafted it in 1769 in the form of a Hessian soldier,[1] it stood atop the Market House first and City Hall second for a combined 166 years. It was moved from the Market House to City Hall in 1824.

During the Civil War era, the weathervane gained its characteristic bullet hole from a Confederate sharpshooter, who won a bet after shooting it from a full city block away.

In 1935, the original was retired to the Museum of the Washington County Historical Society, later to be moved to its present display in the Jonathan Hager House. An exact replica has replaced it atop City Hall.

The weathervane has been depicted in the city's annual Mummers Day Parade by Charles Harry Rittenhouse, Sr. sporting the necessary accoutrements of a German mercenary soldier.

Little Heiskell was at one time the mascot of North Hagerstown High School.

Aviation heritage[]

Hagerstown's first aircraft production came in World War I with the Maryland Pressed Steel Company building the Bellanca CD biplane in hopes of securing government contracts.

From 1931 to 1984, Fairchild Aircraft was based in Hagerstown and was by far the area's most prominent employer. The importance of the company to the city and the country as a whole earned Hagerstown its former nickname "Home of the Flying Boxcar".

Fairchild moved to Hagerstown from Farmingdale, New York, in 1931 after Sherman Fairchild purchased a majority stock interest in Kreider-Reisner Aircraft Company of Hagerstown in 1929. Among Fairchild's products during World War II were PT-19/PT-23/ (Cornell) and AT-21 trainers, C-82 "Packet" cargo planes and missiles. At its height in World War II, Fairchild employed directly and indirectly up to 80% of Hagerstown's workforce or roughly 10,000 people.

In the postwar era, Fairchild continued to produce aircraft in Hagerstown such as C-123 Provider, Fairchild F-27 and Fairchild Hiller FH-227, FH-1100, C-26 Metroliner, UC-26 Metroliner, Fairchild Republic A-10 Thunderbolt II, and the Fairchild T-46 jet trainer.

Passenger terminal at Hagerstown Regional Airport-Richard A. Henson Field.

All production ceased in Hagerstown in 1984 and the company moved elsewhere. Presently, the company is based in San Antonio, Texas and after a series of mergers and acquisitions, is known as M7 Aerospace.

The Hagerstown Aviation Museum shows many of these original aircraft. Among the ones on display are: 1939 F24/UC-61C, 1945 C-82A, 1943 PT-19A, and the 1953 C-119.[15] The museum is located near Hagerstown Regional Airport in the airport's former terminal.

Hagerstown is also the birthplace of Salisbury, Maryland-based Piedmont Airlines which started out as Henson Aviation. It was founded by Richard A. Henson in 1931. Today, Hagerstown Regional Airport-Richard A. Henson Field is named as such in honor of the airlines' founder.

Today, only small to medium-sized aviation companies remain in the area, e.g., Sierra Nevada Corporation, a defense electronics engineering and manufacturing contractor.

Geography[]

Location and topography[]

Hagerstown is located at

 WikiMiniAtlas
39°38′34″N 77°43′12″W / 39.64278°N 77.72000°W / 39.64278; -77.72000 (39.642771, −77.719954).[16] It is situated south of the Mason–Dixon line and north of the Potomac River and between the Blue Ridge and Allegheny Mountains in a part of the Great Appalachian Valley known regionally as Cumberland Valley and locally as Hagerstown Valley. The community also lies within proximity of Pennsylvania, West Virginia, and Virginia. Hagerstown, by driving distance, is approximately 70 miles (110 km) northwest of Washington, D.C., 72 miles (116 km) west-northwest of Baltimore and 74 miles (119 km) southwest of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 11.80 square miles (30.56 km2), of which 11.79 square miles (30.54 km2) is land and 0.01 square miles (0.03 km2) is water.[17] Major waterways within Hagerstown include Hamilton Run and Antietam Creek that are tributaries of the Potomac River. Natural landscape around Hagerstown consists of low, rolling hills with elevations of 500 feet (150 m) to 800 feet (240 m) above sea level and rich, fertile land that is well-suited and utilized for dairy farming, cornfields, and fruit orchards typical of Mid-Atlantic agriculture.

Climate[]

Hagerstown is situated in the transition between the humid subtropical climate zone (Köppen Cfa) and the humid continental climate zone (Köppen Dfa), with hot, humid summers and cool to moderately cold winters. Normal monthly mean temperatures range from 32.9 °F (0.5 °C) in January to 77.6 °F (25.3 °C) in July, while record temperatures range from −27 °F (−33 °C) on January 13, 1912, up to 107 °F (42 °C) on July 23, 1999.[18] Precipitation is moderate, averaging 39.29 in (998 mm) annually, and is somewhat evenly distributed throughout the year, with a slight winter minimum and a maximum in May and June.[18]

hideClimate data for Hagerstown, Maryland (Washington County Airport), 1991−2020 normals, extremes 1899−present[19]
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Record high °F (°C) 78
(26)
82
(28)
88
(31)
94
(34)
96
(36)
102
(39)
107
(42)
104
(40)
101
(38)
95
(35)
83
(28)
75
(24)
107
(42)
Average high °F (°C) 40.5
(4.7)
43.6
(6.4)
52.8
(11.6)
64.9
(18.3)
74.4
(23.6)
82.6
(28.1)
87.3
(30.7)
84.9
(29.4)
77.8
(25.4)
66.0
(18.9)
54.4
(12.4)
44.0
(6.7)
64.4
(18.0)
Daily mean °F (°C) 32.9
(0.5)
35.5
(1.9)
43.4
(6.3)
54.6
(12.6)
64.4
(18.0)
73.1
(22.8)
77.6
(25.3)
75.3
(24.1)
68.4
(20.2)
56.7
(13.7)
45.9
(7.7)
36.9
(2.7)
55.4
(13.0)
Average low °F (°C) 25.3
(−3.7)
27.3
(−2.6)
34.0
(1.1)
44.3
(6.8)
54.5
(12.5)
63.7
(17.6)
67.9
(19.9)
65.7
(18.7)
58.9
(14.9)
47.4
(8.6)
37.4
(3.0)
29.8
(−1.2)
46.3
(7.9)
Record low °F (°C) −27
(−33)
−20
(−29)
−7
(−22)
9
(−13)
23
(−5)
30
(−1)
42
(6)
39
(4)
25
(−4)
18
(−8)
−4
(−20)
−13
(−25)
−27
(−33)
Average precipitation inches (mm) 2.46
(62)
1.97
(50)
3.04
(77)
3.33
(85)
3.55
(90)
3.36
(85)
2.94
(75)
2.90
(74)
3.83
(97)
2.76
(70)
2.63
(67)
2.83
(72)
35.60
(904)
Average precipitation days (≥ 0.01 in) 10.0 8.9 10.3 11.7 14.0 11.8 11.4 10.0 9.5 9.2 8.4 9.2 124.4
Source: NOAA[18][20]

Demographics[]

Historical population
Census Pop.
18202,670
18303,37126.3%
18403,6257.5%
18503,8797.0%
18604,1326.5%
18705,77939.9%
18806,62714.7%
189010,11852.7%
190013,59134.3%
191016,50721.5%
192028,06470.0%
193030,8519.9%
194032,4915.3%
195036,26011.6%
196036,6601.1%
197035,862−2.2%
198034,132−4.8%
199035,4453.8%
200036,6873.5%
201039,6628.1%
2019 (est.)40,100[4]1.1%
U.S. Decennial Census
2018 Estimate[21]


2010 census[]

As of the census[3] of 2010, there were 39,662 people, 16,449 households, and 9,436 families residing in the city. The population density was 3,364.0 inhabitants per square mile (1,298.8/km2). There were 18,682 housing units at an average density of 1,584.6 per square mile (611.8/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 75.8% White, 15.5% African American, 0.3% Native American, 1.3% Asian, 0.1% Pacific Islander, 2.1% from other races, and 5.1% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 5.6% of the population.

There were 16,449 households, of which 32.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 33.6% were married couples living together, 18.4% had a female householder with no husband present, 5.4% had a male householder with no wife present, and 42.6% were non-families. 34.5% of all households were made up of individuals, and 10.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.36 and the average family size was 3.04.

The median age in the city was 34.5 years. 25.8% of residents were under the age of 18; 9.5% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 28.6% were from 25 to 44; 24% were from 45 to 64; and 12.3% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 47.3% male and 52.7% female. Between 2011 and 2015, 26.8% of the population lived in poverty.[22]

2000 census[]

As of the U.S. census[23] of 2000, there were 36,687 people, 15,849 households, and 9,081 families residing in the city. Updated 1 July 2008 census estimates reflect Hagerstown having 39,728 people, an increase of 8.3% from the year 2000.

According to Census 2000 figures, the population density was 3,441.5 people per square mile (1,328.8/km2). There were 17,089 housing units at an average density of 1,603.1 per square mile (619.0/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 85.95% White, 10.15% Black, 1.77% Hispanic or Latino, 0.25% Native American, 0.96% Asian, 0.04% Pacific Islander, 0.83% from other races, and 1.83% from two or more races. There were 17,154 males and 19,533 females residing in the city.[24]

There were 15,849 households, out of which 29.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 36.8% were married couples living together, 15.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 42.7% were non-families. 35.4% of all households were made up of individuals, and 12.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.26 and the average family size was 2.93.

In the city, the population was spread out, with 25.6% under the age of 18, 9.0% from 18 to 24, 31.0% from 25 to 44, 20.1% from 45 to 64, and 14.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 35 years. For every 100 females, there were 87.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 83.6 males.[25]

The median income for a household in the city was $30,796, and the median income for a family was $38,149. Males had a median income of $31,200 versus $22,549 for females. The per capita income for the city was $17,153. About 15.1% of families and 18.1% of the population were below the poverty line, including 27.0% of those under age 18 and 13.7% of those age 65 or over.[26]

Government[]

Mayor[]

The current city executive or Mayor of Hagerstown is Emily Keller, who has served as the city's first female mayor since November 2020. The mayor is a nonpartisan position.

Past Mayors:

City Council[]

The nonpartisan representative body of Hagerstown is known as the City Council. Its current members are Kristin Aleshire, Tiara Burnett, Robert Bruchey II, Tekesha Martinez, and Shelley McIntire.[28]

Florence Murdock served as the city's first female councilperson after being appointed in 1985. There have been two times since then where a majority of the council's five seats have been held by women; when there were three councilwomen during a period from 2005 to 2009, and during the current administration, where three councilwomen were inaugurated in November 2020.[29]

In 2005, Alesia Parson was elected as the first person of color to serve on city council. Since then, Tiara Burnett and Tekesha Martinez have been elected in 2020 as the second and third black city councilmembers. Councilwomen Burnett and Martinez are the first black councilmembers to serve concurrently.[29]

Other representation[]

Paul D. Corderman (R) serves the Hagerstown area in the Maryland Senate while Brenda J. Thiam (R) represents Hagerstown in the Maryland House of Delegates. David Trone (D) serves Maryland's 6th congressional district which includes Hagerstown.

Economy[]

Once primarily an industrial community, Hagerstown's economy depended heavily on railroad transportation and manufacturing, notably of aircraft, trucks, automobiles, textiles, and furniture.[1] Today, the city has a diversified, stable business environment with modern service companies in various fields as well as continued strength in manufacturing and transportation in railroads and highways. Surrounding Hagerstown, there has been and continues to be a strong agricultural presence while tourism, especially with respect to the retail sector, also provides support to the local economy.

Healthcare[]

  • Meritus Medical Center (a part of Meritus Health), acute care inpatient and outpatient facility.
  • Western Maryland Hospital Center, chronic-care state-run health center.
  • Brook Lane Psychiatric Center, private mental health facility.

Shopping[]

Hagerstown-Washington County boasts one of the highest densities of retail in the country.[30]

Hagerstown has 2 major shopping malls:

  • Hagerstown Premium Outlets, a 100+ store outlet mall which attracts visitors from Washington and Baltimore as well as nearby counties.
  • Valley Mall, anchored by JCPenney, Belk, Old Navy, and Regal Cinemas 16.

Infrastructure[]

Looking north along I-81 from MD 58 in Hagerstown

Highways[]

  • I-70.svg Interstate 70 (runs east to Baltimore and west to Utah)
  • I-81.svg Interstate 81 (runs north to Northern New York and south to Eastern Tennessee)
  • US 11.svg U.S. Route 11 (runs parallel to I-81)
  • US 40.svg U.S. Route 40 (runs parallel to I-70)
  • Alt plate.svg
    US 40.svg U.S. Route 40 Alternate (runs parallel to US 40 in Western Maryland)
  • MD Route 58.svg Maryland Route 58
  • MD Route 60.svg Maryland Route 60
  • MD Route 64.svg Maryland Route 64
  • MD Route 65.svg Maryland Route 65
  • MD Route 144.svg Maryland Route 144
  • MD Route 632.svg Maryland Route 632

Mass transportation[]

A street corner on Broadway near downtown Hagerstown.
  • Washington County Transit buses provide extensive transportation within the city. More limited service is available to surrounding communities in Washington County.
  • The Maryland Transit Administration operates the 505 Commuter Bus on weekdays to Shady Grove Metro Station, where riders can transfer to WMATA Red Line to reach Washington, D.C.
  • Miller Cabs and Turner Vans service the Hagerstown area but are usually available only upon request. Downtown Taxi! offers cab service people can hail in the downtown vicinity.
  • Greyhound Lines and Atlantic Charter Buses provide coach bus service to major cities near and far including directly to Baltimore, Harrisburg, Richmond, and Washington.
  • Hagerstown Regional Airport (IATA: HGR, ICAO: KHGR, FAA LID: HGR), also known as Richard A. Henson Field, is located approximately 5 miles (8.0 km) due north of Hagerstown off U.S. Route 11 and Interstate 81. It is a frequent landing site for the U.S. President on the way to Camp David. The airport is commercially serviced by Allegiant Air with flights to and from Orlando Sanford International Airport and CapeAir with flights to and from Baltimore-Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport.[31][32] Alternatively, Washington Dulles International Airport, Washington National Airport, Baltimore-Washington Airport, and Harrisburg International Airport offer more extensive flight destinations and are all within 60 miles (97 km) to 75 miles (121 km) of Hagerstown.
  • Despite being at the crossroads of CSX, Norfolk Southern, and the Winchester and Western railroads, there is no passenger rail service in Hagerstown. Martinsburg, WV offers Amtrak and MARC Train service to Union Station in Washington, D.C. while Frederick offers MARC commuter rail service as well.

Culture[]

Historical sites[]

Hagerstown's location at the center of the Western Maryland region makes it an ideal starting point for touring, especially with respect to the Civil War. Antietam National Battlefield, the site of the bloodiest single day in American history, is located in nearby Sharpsburg. South Mountain State Battlefield is also located in Washington County in Boonsboro. Gettysburg, Monocacy, and Harpers Ferry battlefields are all located within a 30-minute drive of Hagerstown.

Fort Frederick State Park, which features a restored fort used in the French and Indian War, is west of the city in nearby Big Pool, Maryland.

Washington Monument State Park, near Boonsboro, pays tribute to the country's first president, George Washington. It is the oldest structure to honor the 'father of our country.'

Hagerstown is also home to the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park Headquarters.

The city and surrounding vicinity also has a number of sites and districts listed on the National Register of Historic Places. They include the Antietam Furnace Complex Archeological Site, Antietam Hall, Brightwood, Colonial Theatre, Ditto Knolls, Dorsey-Palmer House, Elliot-Bester House, Jacob M. Funk Farm, Garden Hill, Good-Hartle Farm, Hager House, Hagerstown Armory, Hagerstown Charity School, Hagerstown City Park Historic District, Hagerstown Commercial Core Historic District, Hagerstown Historic District, Houses At 16-22 East Lee Street, Lantz-Zeigler House, Lehman's Mill Historic District, Long Meadows, Maryland Theatre, Henry McCauley Farm, Oak Hill Historic District, Old Forge Farm, Old Washington County Library, Paradise Manor, Potomac-Broadway Historic District, Price-Miller House, Rockland Farm, Rockledge, Rohrer House, South Prospect Street Historic District, Trovinger Mill, Valentia, Washington County Courthouse, Western Maryland Railway Station, Western Maryland Railway Steam Locomotive No. 202, and Wilson's Bridge.[33][34]

Parks and museums[]

Washington County Museum of Fine Arts in Hagerstown City Park.

Within the city, there are numerous parks including Hagerstown City Park, which is home to the Washington County Museum of Fine Arts, Mansion House Art Gallery, Western Maryland 202 Locomotive Display and Museum, and the Hager House and Museum (once home of Jonathan Hager, founder of Hagerstown).[1] Outside of the Park, Hagerstown Roundhouse Museum showcases exhibits of Hagerstown's early railroad history. Discovery Station, located downtown, is a hands-on science and technology museum featuring exhibits in numerous galleries and display areas, including the Hagerstown Aviation Museum.

Theater and arts[]

Hagerstown is home to the Maryland Theatre,[1] a symphony house that plays host to the Maryland Symphony Orchestra and the annual Miss Maryland USA Beauty Pageants. The city also has the Washington County Playhouse, which does dinner theater performances. The new Academy Theatre Banquet & Conference Center, located downtown, houses the community theater group Potomac Playmakers.[35] And the Barbara Ingram School for the Arts is a magnet school for gifted art students, located in downtown Hagerstown's arts and entertainment district on South Potomac Street.

Festivals and events[]

Walking path through willows in Hagerstown City Park.

Downtown Hagerstown recently has enjoyed a resurgence[1] and now hosts several popular annual events. The Quad State Beer Fest is a craft beer and music festival that features regional breweries, rock music and entertainment held at various times throughout the year. The Interstate BBQ Festival is a Kansas City Barque Society sanctioned competition which hosts dozens of professional and backyard teams and draws thousands of spectators as a huge regional event. The city draws thousands every year around May–June to the Western Maryland Blues Fest, which showcases blues artists from around the country. The Augustoberfest celebrates Hagerstown's German heritage.[36] And the annual Alsatia Mummers' Halloween Parade happens to be the largest nighttime parade on the East Coast.[citation needed]

Fairgrounds Park features recreational facilities such as the Hagerstown Ice & Sports Complex and hosts various events throughout the year like the annual Hagerstown Hispanic Festival held in mid-September.[37][38]

Professional sports[]

Hagerstown is home to the Hagerstown Suns minor-league baseball team. The Suns play in the South Atlantic League. They play in Municipal Stadium.

To the west of the city lies Hagerstown Speedway, a nationally known dirt-track racing venue. Another professional racing track, Mason-Dixon Dragway, is located just southeast of Hagerstown.

Media[]

Radio[]

Hagerstown shares a radio market, the 166th largest in the United States, with Chambersburg, Pennsylvania and Waynesboro, Pennsylvania.[39] The following box contains all of the radio stations in the area:

Television[]

Hagerstown is the base for three television stations and shares a Designated Market Area, the sixth largest in the United States, with Washington, D.C.[40]

Education[]

Hagerstown used to have one high school called Hagerstown High School. Hagerstown High went on to become North Hagerstown High School (North High) and South Hagerstown High School (South High).

High schools[]

Colleges and universities[]

  • Antietam Bible College, Biblical Seminary, and Graduate School
  • Hagerstown Community College, 2-year public community college.
  • Kaplan University, Hagerstown Campus, formerly known as Kaplan College and Hagerstown Business College.
  • Kee Mar College, former women's college
  • Mount Saint Mary's University, Hagerstown Campus, offers Masters of Business Administration (MBA) degrees.
  • University System of Maryland at Hagerstown, a regional higher education center of the University System of Maryland offering various bachelor's, master's and doctoral degree programs in connection with other state colleges and universities in Maryland.

Notable people[]

  • See People from Hagerstown.

Sister cities and municipal partnerships[]

  • Wesel, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany (since March 10, 1952)[36]
  • Hagerstown, Indiana, United States (since October 1, 2013)

Metropolitan area[]

Hagerstown-Martinsburg, MD-WV MSA consists of three counties:

  • Washington County, Maryland
  • Berkeley County, West Virginia
  • Morgan County, West Virginia

The Primary Cities are Hagerstown, MD and Martinsburg, WV. Other communities in the MSA include: Halfway, MD, Paramount-Long Meadow, MD, Fountainhead-Orchard Hills, MD, Robinwood, MD, Maugansville, MD, Boonsboro, MD, Smithsburg, MD, Williamsport, MD, Falling Waters, WV, Hedgesville, WV, Inwood, WV and Berkeley Springs, WV.

The metropolitan area's population in 2000 was 222,771. The 2008 estimate is 263,753, making Greater Hagerstown the 169th largest metropolitan area in the United States. The growth rate from 2000 to 2008 is +18.4%, the 48th highest among metropolitan areas in the entire country and the highest in Maryland (and in West Virginia).[9] The growth is mostly due to the influx of people from Washington, D.C. and Baltimore, MD.[citation needed]

References[]

  1. ^ Jump up to: a b c d e f g h McAllister, Elizabeth. "Hagerstown, Maryland". Maryland Online Encyclopedia. Archived from the original on 13 January 2009. Retrieved 15 September 2008.
  2. ^ "2019 U.S. Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved July 25, 2020.
  3. ^ Jump up to: a b "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2013-01-25.
  4. ^ Jump up to: a b "Population and Housing Unit Estimates". United States Census Bureau. May 24, 2020. Retrieved May 27, 2020.
  5. ^ "the definition of hagerstown". Dictionary.com. Retrieved 21 November 2018.
  6. ^ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Retrieved 2011-06-07.
  7. ^ "Maryland Population". State of Maryland. Retrieved 14 March 2014.
  8. ^ Ray Smith Bass, State of Maryland Geological Survey, Cambrian and Ordovician Deposits of Maryland (1919) at 99.
  9. ^ Jump up to: a b Table 7. Cumulative Estimates of Population Change for Metropolitan Statistical Areas and Rankings: April 1, 2000 to July 1, 2008 Archived June 4, 2011, at the Wayback Machine, Census Bureau 2009. Retrieved 26 April 2009.
  10. ^ Laws Made and Passed by the General Assembly of the State of Maryland, at a Session Begun and Held at the City of Annapolis, on Monday, the Sixth Day of December, Eighteen Hundred and Thirteen, and Ending Monday, the Thirty First Day of January, in the Year of Our Lord, Eighteen Hundred and Fourteen. Annapolis: Printed By Jehu Chandler. 1814. pp. 108–113. Retrieved 19 May 2015.
  11. ^ "How Whiskey Almost Started a War". Emmitsburg.net. Retrieved 21 November 2018.
  12. ^ "Hagerstown Herald and Torch Light". Western Maryland Historical Library. July 20, 1864. Retrieved January 1, 2014.
  13. ^ The Crossroads of the Civil War - Hagerstown Archived 2007-11-01 at the Wayback Machine, Hagerstown-Washington County Convention & Visitor's Bureau, Civil War, Retrieved 2007.
  14. ^ Washington Confederate Cemetery, Hagerstown, Maryland, Western Maryland Historical Library, Retrieved 2014.
  15. ^ Fairchild Aircraft, Retrieved 2007.
  16. ^ "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". United States Census Bureau. 2011-02-12. Retrieved 2011-04-23.
  17. ^ "US Gazetteer files 2013". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on 2012-07-14. Retrieved 2014-02-05.
  18. ^ Jump up to: a b c "NowData - NOAA Online Weather Data". National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Retrieved June 16, 2021.
  19. ^ Records were kept at the "Hagerstown 1E" COOP station from January 1, 1899 until October 2, 1998, and at Washington County Airport since October 3, 1998.
  20. ^ "Station: Hagerstown Washington CO AP, MD". U.S. Climate Normals 2020: U.S. Monthly Climate Normals (1991-2020). National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Retrieved June 16, 2021.
  21. ^ "Population Estimates". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved June 8, 2018.
  22. ^ US Census Bureau, Quick Figures, 2016 Retrieved 22 Sept 2017
  23. ^ "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2008-01-31.
  24. ^ "DP-1. Profile of General Demographic Characteristics: 2000
    Data Set: Census 2000 Summary File 1 (SF 1) 100-Percent Data
    Geographic Area: Hagerstown city, Maryland"
    . Census 2000 Gateway. Retrieved 2008-01-06.
  25. ^ "QT-P1. Age Groups and Sex: 2000
    Data Set: Census 2000 Summary File 1 (SF 1) 100-Percent Data
    Geographic Area: Hagerstown city, Maryland"
    . Census 2000 Gateway. Retrieved 2008-01-06.
  26. ^ "DP-3. Profile of Selected Economic Characteristics: 2000
    Data Set: Census 2000 Summary File 4 (SF 4) - Sample Data
    Geographic Area: Hagerstown city, Maryland"
    . Census 2000 Gateway. Retrieved 2008-01-06.
  27. ^ "Hagerstown Mayors, Washington County, Maryland". Msa.md.gov. Retrieved 25 November 2020.
  28. ^ "Meet the City Council - Hagerstown, MD - Official Website". Hagerstownmd.org. Retrieved 25 November 2020.
  29. ^ Jump up to: a b "New Hagerstown administration includes firsts for city". Heraldmailmedia.com. Retrieved 25 November 2020.
  30. ^ Tom Riford, Hagerstown area called a Retail Mecca, The Herald-Mail ONLINE, Published Thursday January 6, 2005, Retrieved 2007.
  31. ^ Sarah Hopkins, Allegiant Air Takeoff To Orlando A Success Archived 2008-12-22 at the Wayback Machine, Your4State.com, Published Friday 14 November 2008, Retrieved Saturday 15 November 2008.
  32. ^ Jeannie Flitner, New Service to Baltimore Takes off From Hagerstown Archived 2009-03-30 at the Wayback Machine, Your4State.com, Published Tuesday 24 March 2009, Retrieved Tuesday 24 March 2009.
  33. ^ "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. July 9, 2010.
  34. ^ "National Register of Historic Places Listings". National Park Service. 2010-10-22. Weekly List of Actions Taken on Properties: 10/12/10 through 10/15/10
  35. ^ Andrew Schotz, Downtown Hagerstown theater, banquet center takes center stage, The Herald-Mail. Published 18 November 2008. Retrieved 19 November 2008.
  36. ^ Jump up to: a b "Augustoberfest". City of Hagerstown, MD. Retrieved 2007-07-07.
  37. ^ Kaitlin McCarthy, First Ever Hispanic Festival Takes Off In Washington County Archived 2008-03-15 at the Wayback Machine, Your4State.com, Published Sunday 16 September 2007, Retrieved November 2007.
  38. ^ Joshua Bowman, Festival's growth reflects increase in local Hispanic population, Herald-Mail.com ONLINE, Published Sunday 20 September 2008, Retrieved 21 September 2008.
  39. ^ Market Ranks and Schedules 151-200, Arbitron, Fall 2007, Retrieved 22 March 2008.
  40. ^ Local Television Market Universe Estimates, Nielsen, 27 September 2008. Retrieved 02 November 2008.

External links[]

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