Town of the Week

Town of the Week: Frederick, Maryland
July 10, 1999

In the solitude of the mighty Appalachian Mountains, which tower over the Monocacy River Valley, is Maryland's third largest city. Named for the teenage son of Lord Baltimore, Frederick celebrated its 253rd birthday last weekend.

The city sits on land known as Tusker's Chance a tract of several thousand acres once owned by Baltimore businessman Ben Tusker. Frederick's historical district includes 33 blocks, mostly brick homes and some churches. Farmers found the soil so productive here they could literally grow corn as high as an elephant's eye -- 10 feet high and higher. During the Civil War, Yanks and Rebs chased each other up and down Frederick's streets so often, townspeople took to treating the skirmishes as spectator sport. But, in 1864, General Jubal Early took the town hostage for $200,000, threatening to burn it to the ground. Fortunately, Fredericks' bankers paid off, and the city was saved.

World War II brought the construction of Fort Hetrick, a hush-hush center of biological war research..which today is the National Cancer Institutes and the town's leading employer. This is the home of Francis Scott Key, author of our national anthem, and of his brother-in-law, Roger Brooke Taney, who swore in 7 presidents during his term as Chief Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court. In addition to Frederick Community College, the town has just restored the largest carillon in the state, with a rack of 49 bells, something truly enjoyed by our Town of the Week, Frederick, Maryland.

Visit Frederick, Maryland online, and plan your trip there with the help of the T ourism Council of Frederick County.