Name: Hidden History of Montgomery County, Maryland
Brand: Brian Myers
SKU: 9781467156608
Price: 24.99 USD
Availability: InStock

Hidden History of Montgomery County, Maryland

9781467156608

$24.99

Dig into the untold stories and lesser-known tales of MoCo.

Washington, D.C.’s next-door neighbor has seen many a politician, militant and Red Line passenger travel within its bounds, but the county’s own, unique history has sometimes been buried. Learn about George Washington’s Dickerson farm and what made one Germantown man take explosive revenge on his neighbor. How has a 105-year-old woman seen her community change over more than a century? Which groundbreaking horror movie filmed many of its iconic scenes around the area?

Author Brian Myers, a Gaithersburg native, has trekked across the county on a mission to record more than thirty chapters of the wildest, most shocking and inspiring stories that Montgomery County has to offer.

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Antietam National Battlefield

9781467103879

$7.99

The historic Antietam National Battlefield is documented and remembered in this collection of mailable vintage-photograph postcards. Approximately 110,000 soldiers of the Union and Confederate armies fought along the banks of Antietam Creek in the bloodiest single-day battle in American history. In 12 hours of fighting, approximately 23,000 men fell, either killed, wounded, or missing, forever scarring the landscape around the town of Sharpsburg. Established as the Antietam Battlefield Site in 1890, Antietam National Battlefield became a National Park Service landmark in 1933. The park grew from 33 acres in the 1890s to encompassing over 3,000 acres today. Some of the Civil War's most recognizable landmarks now sit within its boundaries, including Dunker Church, Bloody Lane, and Burnside Bridge. The events that occurred across the fields and woodlots around Sharpsburg and along Antietam Creek bring hundreds of thousands of visitors to Antietam National Battlefield every year.

Fort Holabird

9781467160834

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Fort Holabird was a US Army facility near Baltimore, Maryland and began as a training center for a relatively new military technology, the motor vehicle, it would later bear witness to intrigue as a center of US Army intelligence and counterintelligence.

Fort Holabird was a US Army facility near Baltimore, Maryland. Opened as Camp Holabird in preparation for World War I, Holabird trained vehicle drivers and mechanics. After World War II, Holabird became home to the US Army Intelligence School. It was around this time the facility was renamed Fort Holabird. The intelligence school relocated to Fort Huachuca, Arizona, in 1971, and Fort Holabird closed in 1973. Holabird has an amazing history. It began as a training center for a relatively new military technology, the motor vehicle. Holabird would later bear witness to intrigue as a center of US Army intelligence and counterintelligence. Holabird is also remembered by many Vietnam-era draftees as an induction center.

Author David B. Lari is an attorney, historian, US Army veteran, lifelong resident of Maryland, and a graduate of the University of Baltimore. The sources of these photographs include the US National Archives, the US Army Heritage and Education Center, the National World War I Museum and Memorial, the Dundalk-Patapsco Neck Historical Society and Museum, and the Kansas Historical Society.

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Golden Age of Baltimore Theater, The

9781467154482

$24.99

The story of Charm City on stage. Baltimore's dynamic theatrical tradition had hard-scrabble beginnings in the eighteenth century. The popularity of the theater only grew, continuing to the vaudeville and burlesque boom of the early 20 th century. Discover the sometimes brilliant, sometimes heart-breaking stories of the actors Baltimore clamored to see and the riots that broke out when they hated what they saw. Key figures such as Lewis Hallam, the Peales, Laura Keene, John T. Ford and James Kernan sought to stage their own versions of the world in playhouses that reflected an ever changing American culture. Let theatrical historian Charlie Mitchell take you on a fascinating journey through this bygone era.

Cover image for Golden Age of Baltimore Theater, The, isbn: 9781467154482

Camp David

9781467160872

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Originally named Shangri-La by Franklin D. Roosevelt, today's Camp David was a well-guarded secret until its existence was revealed after World War II. A US Naval facility set on a mountaintop, Camp David's tight security has piqued the curiosity of Americans and foreigners. Prior to the outbreak of war, Roosevelt had access to the nearby presidential yacht as a "getaway" to escape the pressures of life in the White House. After a brief search of nearby locations, a site on Catoctin Mountain in Maryland was chosen as the place for the presidential retreat. It remained Shangri La until President Eisenhower said the name was "just a little fancy for a Kansas farm boy" and renamed it Camp David after his father and grandson in 1953. It has served as retreat for each succeeding president and, in addition to providing rest and relaxation, has been the setting of several historic meetings.
Robert P. Savitt writes and lectures on a variety of historical subjects. He holds a doctoral degree from Georgetown University, served in the Departments of Defense and State, and was legislative director for a US senator. Savitt has authored three previous Arcadia Publishing titles.

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Flight Training at the United States Naval Academy

9781467160421

$24.99

The United States Naval Academy was founded in 1845 in Annapolis, Maryland, after experience showed that the policy of training naval officers solely through shipboard experience was ineffective. The development of aircraft in the early 20th century was a technological change that impacted the academy. The efforts of naval aviation advocates, led by Capt. Washington I. Chambers, resulted in the Navy acquiring its first aircraft in 1911 and basing them near the US Naval Academy where sufficient land and material resources were available to support flight operations. Later, under Supt. Adm. Louis W. Nulton, aviation entered the curriculum as an element of fundamental naval education, taking a place among major subjects such as seamanship and gunnery. Classroom instruction and indoctrination flights provided all midshipmen with a familiarization in aviation as an important element in their development as naval officers before circumstances forced a shift of training to other facilities by 1962.

Flight Training at the United States Naval Academy

Hidden History of Howard County

9781467154734

$24.99

Untold stories of Howard County's rich and fascinating past.

First settled in the 17th century when the area was part of Anne Arundel County, early towns formed around grist mills. Nearby quarries and mills shaped Ellicott City before the more well-known impact of the B&O Railroad in the 1830s. Cotton mills flourished, and mill towns like Savage grew. In the 20th century Savage briefly became the Christmas capital of the country. It was also a well-known sundown town. Historically Black communities dealt with battles over education as the state emerged from segregation. Development brought suburban neighborhoods and change to rural areas, and planned communities like Columbia affected Guilford and other surrounding towns. Local authors Nathan Davis and Wayne Davis explore local myths and uncover erased histories.

United States Naval Academy, The

9781467160247

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For 178 years, the United States Naval Academy has trained and educated young men and women to be commissioned officers in the US Navy and US Marine Corps. The Naval Academy is the second oldest of the five service academies in the United States. The nearly-340-acre campus is located on the grounds of the old Fort Severn in Annapolis, Maryland. The entire campus, known as the Yard, is listed in the National Register of Historic Places. Admission to the Naval Academy is highly competitive. Since the curriculum leans heavily on science, engineering, and mathematics, all graduates—no matter their major—earn a bachelor of science degree. After completing their coursework, midshipmen enter either the Navy or Marine Corps for a five-year commitment.

Trimper's Rides

9781467121859

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Trimper's Rides! Synonymous with Ocean City, MD for generations of thrill seekers...step right up and enjoy the ride!

No trip to Ocean City, Maryland, is complete without a visit to Trimper's Rides. The unforgettable bright lights, carousel music, and elated screams from riders on the Tidal Wave are cherished memories for generations who return to the park annually. The evolution and success of Trimper's Rides embodies the American dream. It began when an enterprising German immigrant named Daniel B. Trimper and his large family took a chance on a little-known seaside town. They built a top-notch family-entertainment experience that continues to delight visitors today. The Trimpers rebuilt after storms, endured wartime challenges, and experienced periods of rapid growth and prosperity. Trimper's Rides chronicles this journey with nostalgic images of past attractions and the people who made Trimper's Rides the destination for family fun.

Hagerstown

9780738515076

$24.99

Hagerstown, Maryland's history is inextricably linked to the railroad. Hagerstown's nickname of the "Hub City" comes from the wheel-spoke effect that the many rail lines in and out of the city created. The first train cars from the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad reached the limits of Washington County on December 3, 1834, where the line crossed into Harper's Ferry, West Virginia. The railroad was instrumental in transporting both goods and passengers and helped spell the demise of the C & O Canal. Through the years, the railroads continued to ply the tracks through the county providing work for many, and transportation of freight and passenger service from Baltimore in the east to the great expanse of the country to the west. Today, passenger service no longer runs through Hagerstown, but freight service continues and trains are far from forgotten.

African-American Entertainment in Baltimore

9780738515137

$24.99

Take a trip down the Pennsylvania Avenue of years past, the heart of Baltimore's African-American community, when the streets vibrated with life and bass.

From 1930 to 1980, Baltimore was a key city to the success of Black entertainers, such as The Ink Spots, Cab Calloway, Sammy Davis Jr., Billie Holiday, Ella Fitzgerald, and countless others, while The Avenue's hottest night spots such as the legendary Royal Theater, the Regent Theater, the Sphinx, and Club Casino bumped and jived until the early hours of morning. Along with the DJS and promoters who helped cultivate the city's musical talents, and the people who were just there to have a groovy time, African-American Entertainment in Baltimorecaptures the brilliance of the city's musical heritage.

African-American Entertainment in Baltimore

Accokeek

9780738597577

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Accokeek is an unincorporated place in the southwest corner of Prince George's County. The name Accokeek is an Algonquian word meaning at the edge of the hill. Before the arrival of Capt. John Smith in 1623, indigenous people had occupied the area intermittently for thousands of years. After an initial increase in the European population and a corresponding decline in the number of American Indians, the population of Accokeek stabilized. The area could be described as a rural community in harmony with nature. Since World War II, the size and diversity of the population have changed rapidly. In 1942, Indian Head Naval Reservation Access Road was constructed. The major highway passes through Accokeek and connects residents to federal government jobs in Indian Head to the south and Washington, DC, to the north. Today, Accokeek citizens continue efforts to preserve the natural environment and iconic historical landmarks from development.

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Snow Hill

9780738543444

$24.99 $17.49 Save 30%

Snow Hill, on the banks of the Pocomoke River, has been home to farmers, bankers, merchants, artisans, sea captains, and politicians for more than 300 years. Founded by English settlers from a part of London named Snow Hill," the town became a trading post on the Pocomoke and was designated a royal port by William and Mary of England. Trade was the engine that drove commerce in the town, and the Pocomoke River was the highway. Imported goods were brought into Snow Hill to be taxed, and lumber, tobacco, and crafts by local artisans were exported across the Atlantic. Snow Hill's economic success spread rapidly in the 19th century as steamboats carried passengers to Norfolk and Baltimore and the railroad brought opportunities to expand local markets. Hotels, shops, boarding houses, and stately homes sprang up as the economy expanded. Today Snow Hill boasts one of the largest concentrations of historic homes, churches, and commercial buildings still intact in the state of Maryland. Residents are committed to preserving the town's heritage so it will remain "the Treasure of the Eastern Shore."

Maryland's Skipjacks

9780738553634

$24.99 $17.49 Save 30%

Chesapeake is an Algonquian word meaning "great shellfish bay," and for decades, the oyster was the undisputed king of Chesapeake Bay shellfish. Early settlers reported them to be as large as dinner plates, and the reefs or rocks in which they lived
were large enough to be hazards to navigation. In 1884, fifteen million bushels of oysters were harvested and shipped around the world. The skipjack was the perfect vessel for sailing into the Chesapeake Bay's shallow waters and dredging for oysters, and each winter, hundreds of these wooden craft set out across the bay's cold waters. The oyster population of the 21st century is a fraction of what it once was, and the skipjacks have disappeared along with them. No longer economically viable, the boats have been left to rot in the marshes along the bay. Only 25 boats are still operational, and fewer than five still dredge.

Firefighting in Frederick

9780738517346

$24.99 $17.49 Save 30%

The story of firefighting in Frederick, Maryland, is a complex tale of heroism, sacrifice, and duty that dates back to 1818.

Firefighters play a vital role in any time, but it's almost easy to forget the days before mandatory fire safety practices, when most buildings were made of wood, how often the fire department was the only thing to prevent a fire from destroying an entire city. This volume describes the heroic role the fire department has played in defending the city of Frederick for close to two centuries. Highlighted in this work are the Independent Hose Company, Junior Fire Company, United Steam Fire Engine Company, Citizen's Truck Company, Fort Detrick Fire Department, as well as historic fires, emergency medical services, and major disasters throughout the region.

Chesapeake Bay Retrievers, Decoys & Long Guns

9781596294622

$21.99

Carroll's Island is one of many places along the Chesapeake Bay where vibrant stories of dogs, decoys, guns and waterfowl resonate up from the shoreline.

The stories from Carroll's Island Ducking Club, which was founded in the mid-nineteenth century, offer special insights about the Chesapeake Bay's waterfowling heritage. In this warm, informative book, C. John Sullivan Jr., one of the nation's

Chesapeake Bay Retrievers, Decoys & Long Guns

Howard County

9780738587660

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Although it did not officially become a county until 1851, Howard County has a long and varied history that spans more than 400 years. Named for Revolutionary War hero John Eager Howard, this rapidly suburbanizing county features a landscape dotted with farms and grand manor homes situated on rolling farmland that plunges down into the Patapsco River Valley. There, in 1772, the Ellicott brothers established a mill-driven economy that became a center of prosperity, industry, and higher education as well as a home to the first railroad station in America, the National Road, and the first and largest multi-span masonry railroad bridge in the world. Today, Howard County is one of the wealthiest and most progressive counties in the nation. With its rural roots, intriguing architecture, and the charming 18th-century mill town of Ellicott City and the planned community of Columbia as its crown jewels, Howard County offers both the actual and the armchair visitor a wealth of exploration opportunities.

Ocean City

9780738501222

$24.99 $17.49 Save 30%

Discover the beloved town of Ocean City, Maryland and it's vibrant, historic past.

Originally the land of the Algonquian people, the barrier island on which Ocean City is now located, served as a protective wall for the mainland Delmarva peninsula. It was a somewhat remote area until five men, having formed the Atlantic Hotel Company Corporation, built the first lodging facility, and Ocean City as a coastal resort began to take root. From the cattle grazing in the mid-1800s to the few blocks of buildings constructed at the turn of the century, from the infamous storm of 1933 to the overwhelming growth of the 1940s, Ocean City has had a rich and vibrant history. This volume offers a historical perspective of Ocean City from its inception to 1946, a period when growth was steady but slow. Now boasting over eight million visitors annually, the area is Maryland's golden-haired child and its second-largest city during peak summer weekends when an average of 300,000 tourists arrive.

Chesapeake's Western Shore

9780738554211

$24.99 $17.49 Save 30%

In 1952, the Chesapeake Bay Bridge opened for travelers in Maryland and created unprecedented access from the mainland to the Eastern Shore and the beaches of the Atlantic Ocean. Before then, the Chesapeake Bay itself was the "seaside" for residents of Baltimore and Washington, D.C. Popular bay-side vacation spots sprang up in Maryland during the late 1800s and early 1900s, and began to transform the rural fringes of the Chesapeake's Western Shore. People journeyed by railroad, steamboat, and automobile to escape the sweltering city summers and to swim, fish, and boat along the bay. Amusement parks, casinos, and dance halls enlivened the scene. Developers actively promoted the sale of summer cottages near resort areas that dotted the Patapsco, Magothy, Severn, and South Rivers, as well as the open bay, and laid the roots for many communities that still exist today. The images presented in this book evoke a shared heritage in the pleasures of the Chesapeake Bay and depict an era that triggered permanent changes along its shores.

Wheaton

9780738568041

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In 1689, Col. William Joseph patented two tracks of land east of Rock Creek. From the 3,860 acres called Hermitage and parts of Joseph's Park tract of 4,220 acres, the community of Wheaton evolved. The convergence of three history-laden roads gave the area one of its early names, Mitchell's X Roads. Transportation gave the land value beyond that of other farming communities in the area. The name Wheaton, first used when Union veteran George F. Plyer became postmaster on October 5, 1869, honored Gen. Frank Wheaton, the commander of the defense of Washington, D.C., at Fort Stevens in early July 1864. Proximity to the nation's capital, large tracks of farmland, and existing roads were an ideal combination for suburban development. The construction boom that began during World War II had entire communities developing at a pace that seemed to occur overnight. The area's population soared, and a new way of life began.

Baltimore's Deaf Heritage

9781467121934

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The booming job market and beautifully designed city of Baltimore attracted many families and individuals to the area in the 19th century. Several of these transplants would become prominent figures in the Deaf community. George W. Veditz, an early American Sign Language filmmaker and former president of the National Association of the Deaf; Rev. Daniel E. Moylan, founder of the oldest operational Methodist church for the deaf; and George Michael "Dummy" Leitner, a professional baseball player, all influenced Baltimore's growing deaf population. Through vintage photographs of successful organizations and sports teams, including the Silent Oriole Club, Christ Church of the Deaf, the Jewish Deaf Society of Baltimore, the Silent Clover Society, and the National Fraternal Society for the Deaf, Baltimore's Deaf Heritage illustrates the evolution of Baltimore's Deaf community and its prominent leaders.

Miller Cornfield at Antietam

9781625858658

$24.99

Author Phillip Thomas Tucker reveals the triumph and tragedy of the greatest sacrifice of life of any battleground in America.

On September 17, 1862, the forces of Major General George B. McClellan and his Union Army of the Potomac confronted Robert E. Lee's entire Army of Northern Virginia at the Battle of Antietam in Sharpsburg, Maryland. The Union forces mounted a powerful assault on Lee's left flank in the idyllic Miller Cornfield. It was the single bloodiest day in the history of the Civil War. The elite combat units of the Union's Iron Brigade and the Confederate Texas Brigade held a dramatic showdown and suffered immense losses through vicious attacks and counterattacks sweeping through the cornstalks.

Ocean City

9780738501239

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Discover how tiny Ocean City has overcame obstacle after obstacle and matured into the jewel of Maryland's shore.

Ocean City, Maryland's own seaside resort, has become so popular that it is almost too small - five square miles - to hold all its tourists. The last few decades have brought tremendous growth to the area in the form of both population and development. Bridges and tunnels have been built, high-rise hotels and condominiums have grown up, and amusements of all kinds have become available to the summertime crowds. In this second volume of Ocean City, images of beach life from the late 1940s to the present day capture the spirit of this popular vacation spot. From funnel cakes to Ferris wheels and deep-sea fishing to seasonal festivals, Ocean City, now a year-round retreat, has offered millions of visitors an endless variety of entertainment. Having survived destruction caused by storms, problems associated with the real estate boom, and the overwhelming surge of visitors who each summer crowd the boardwalk and Coastal Highway, this "small" town has become the place to be on Maryland's shore.

Crisfield

9780738542393

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Crisfield, once one of the largest communities in Maryland, is a city literally built on seafood: its foundation is comprised largely of oyster shells. Named in 1866 for Eastern Shore Railroad president John W. Crisfield, the city was formed from the Somerset County communities of Annemessex and Somers Cove and incorporated in 1872. Known then as "Dodge City of the East," the railroad's seafood-shipping opportunities gave the area new hope, and by the 1930s, it gained the nickname "Seafood Capital of the World." Crisfield: The First Century highlights landmark events--the Great Fire of 1928, Hurricane Hazel in 1954, and the creation of the National Hard Crab Derby--and everyday life at school, church, and downtown. Crisfield's rich history is captured in more than 200 images in this volume.

Charles County Revisited

9780738567709

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Charles County was chartered in 1658 and marked its 350th anniversary in 2008. In its lifespan, it has transformed itself from an agriculturally based English colony to an explosive commercial bedroom community for Washington, D.C. In this second volume on Charles County, the author reveals just how that happened. Most of the images in this book focus on the explosive growth the county experienced from the 1940s to 1970s. They also provide a glimpse into the lives of ordinary people doing everyday things. An eye-opening chapter about the county's legalized gambling era will recall the neon icons that signaled entrepreneurial risk takers, gamblers, and service industries to enter, and forever change, southern Maryland's plantation lifestyle. A chapter on law enforcement and the judicial system will solicit an appreciation of one of the earliest institutions in the county. Good Samaritans are properly recognized for their noble works in chapters on infrastructure and service clubs.

Charles County

9780738544076

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Faithful subjects of the English crown, Jesuits, and entrepreneurs first settled in Charles County in the early 1630s. The area quickly sprouted into Colonial-styled plantation life of distinct Southern charm. The currency of the day was tobacco, even for payment of taxes and doctor bills. Through the War of 1812 and the Civil War, the mainly agricultural economy of the county was devastated. But as time passed, plantations became farmsteads, Native American trails became roadways, and the railroad created new town centers, such as Waldorf and La Plata. In the earlier years, the county's self-sufficiency was strongly displayed when the public school system and fire departments were started through private donations. For most of its life, Charles County's only employer not associated with agriculture was the Indian Head Naval Proving Ground, now known as the Indian Head Division, Naval Surface Warfare Center. It is still ranked as the county's number one employer. Tobacco still reigned as the cash crop of choice until 2000.

Haunted Howard County, Maryland

9781467147149

$21.99

The rolling countryside of Howard County is dotted with dozens of two-hundred-year-old log cabins, humble homes and magnificent manor houses--many teeming with restless spirits. From the specter of the madman murderer at Belmont Manor to the spirits of mangled workers at Savage Mill, the dead return to tell their tales. Delve into the stories behind the "Blue Lady" of Salopha, the lovelorn poltergeist at the Grayhouse, the shocking secret of the Mead House and the gruesome origins of the tormented spirit at La Petite Academy. Packed with recently uncovered facts, nearly forgotten local lore and chilling eyewitness accounts, every chapter overflows with riveting stories of Howard County's haunted history. Author Shelley Davies Wygant uncovers spooky tales that have never been told before.

Essex

9780738542935

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Advertised in a 1909 sales brochure as "The Rising Suburb of the East," Essex, Maryland, has seen its fate and fortune rise and fall and rise again. The town enjoyed its early reputation as a haven for city dwellers with picnic groves, hunting and fishing clubs, dance halls, and waterfront amusement parks. The boom continued with new jobs and prosperity until the 1950s, when a fire destroyed much of the town's main street. Economic decay set in as a result of the loss of industry and an influx of low-income housing. Several attempts at redevelopment and legislation failed, resulting in the residents' distrust of government intervention. Finally a county-backed Renaissance project was established in 2002, bringing Essex a new epithet: "The Hidden Gem of Baltimore County."

Maryland in World War I

9781467126014

$24.99 $17.49 Save 30%

The First World War was an unprecedented event, and some of its effects on the state of Maryland can be seen to this day. Maryland's civilian contributions included agricultural and industrial production, providing goods ranging from canned oysters to light artillery pieces. Wartime industrial requirements led to the creation of entire communities, including Dundalk. Maryland hosted a variety of military facilities, many of which are still active. The largest was Camp Meade, a virtual city, one of 16 new National Army training cantonments that sprang up in a matter of weeks in the summer of 1917. Other major facilities included the US Naval Academy, Fort McHenry, Naval Proving Ground Indian Head, and the new Aberdeen Proving Ground. The state's military contributions also included regional units of the National Guard and new National Army, which fought during the most deadly battle in American history, the Meuse-Argonne Offensive.

Westminster

9780738566085

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Westminster documents the history of this town located at the center of an industrial and agricultural community.

William Winchester established Westminster in 1764 by laying out 45 town lots along the main road to Baltimore. The lots sold quickly, and soon there was a small but thriving community. When Carroll County was established in 1837, Westminster was named the county seat, bringing government officials, judges, lawyers, and visitors to the town. Hotels, homes, and stores sprang up to serve the influx of new residents and visitors. The Western Maryland Railway reached Westminster in 1861. In 1863, Confederate general J. E. B. Stuart's cavalry arrived en route to Gettysburg and battled a small detachment of Union cavalry responsible for guarding the vital railroad link to Baltimore. After Stuart's troops continued on to Pennsylvania, Union troops established an important depot, with supplies arriving from Baltimore for transport to the battlefield and wounded soldiers returning to be cared for in Westminster's hotels, churches, and homes. Westminster prospered throughout the 19th and 20th centuries as it became the center of an industrial and agricultural community.

Boonsboro

9780738592398

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In 1792, two cousins of frontiersman Daniel Boone established Boonsboro when they sold the town's first plotted lot. After growing from five taxable buildings in 1796 to 24 houses in 1803 and nearly doubling in population from 1820 to 1830, Boonsboro was officially incorporated in 1831. Along the way, Maryland governor William Hamilton was born in Boonsboro in 1820, and residents completed the world's first monument to US president George Washington in 1827. During the Civil War, the Battle of South Mountain produced
6,000 casualties near Boonsboro on September 14, 1862, and three days later, the Battle of Antietam left 23,110 casualties six miles west of Boonsboro. The town's famous raspberries and Hearts of Gold cantaloupes helped carry Boonsboro through the 20th century. Today, with four state parks and the Appalachian National Scenic Trail lining the top of nearby South Mountain range, Boonsboro boasts a popular town park, three museums, and a population of 3,400 people.

Legendary Locals of Kent County

9781467102186

$24.99

Kent County, located on the Eastern Shore of the Chesapeake Bay, is noted for its farms, outdoor recreation, architecture, and its people. Legendary Locals of Kent County recognizes only a handful of the many Kent County people who deserve to be noted. Included are Tony Award-winning Mark Bramble, who is a director, author, and producer; controversial and colorful Evelyn Harris, also known as the "Barter Lady," who gained fame during the Depression when she proposed a system of swapping to overcome the shortage of money; elected official, school principal, minister, and artist Clarence Hawkins; Sheriff Bartus O. Vickers, who earned the respect of prisoners, lawyers, other law enforcement officers, and citizens; game warden Bozy Robinson, friend of both the hunter and the hunted; and writer Gilbert Byron, who detailed life on the Chesapeake Bay throughout the 20th century.

Sharpsburg

9780738568058

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Sharpsburg, with only eight streets, has an international reputation as a travel destination. Best known as the site of the Battle of Antietam, it is also the location of the annual Memorial Day celebration observed since 1868. However, Sharpsburg and the surrounding area are more than a battle site. The "Big Spring" served Native Americans long before Joseph Chapline laid out the town's 187 lots in 1763. Gen. Robert E. Lee, inventor James Rumsey, and abolitionist John Brown all stayed in town. Throughout the 18th and 19th centuries, many businesses lined Main Street. The Chesapeake and Ohio Canal and the Belinda Springs resort were well known. The resort is gone, but the canal's towpath is popular with hikers and bikers. The businesses and industries of an earlier Sharpsburg have disappeared, but churches and cemeteries sit on original lots. The remaining structures of log and stone still line the streets, although they are no longer dirt lanes. Many properties retain their stables, chicken coops, or necessary houses.

Annapolis

9780738503233

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From the 1890s through the 1920s, the postcard was an extraordinarily popular means of communication, and many of the postcards produced during this "golden age" can today be considered works of art. Postcard photographers traveled the length and breadth of the nation snapping photographs of busy street scenes, documenting local landmarks, and assembling crowds of local children only too happy to pose for a picture. These images, printed as postcards and sold in general stores across the country, survive as telling reminders of an important era in America's history. This fascinating new history of Annapolis, Maryland, showcases more than two hundred of the best vintage postcards available.

Maryland Aviation

9780738567006

$24.99

Maryland is home to a number of aviation firsts: the first manned balloon ascent in the Western Hemisphere in 1784, the first aircraft carrier during the Civil War, the first airport and flight school at College Park, and the first commuter airline. The state has also been home to a number of aircraft manufacturers. These include Glenn L. Martin in Baltimore and Kreider-Reisner, later Fairchild, in Hagerstown, as well as Ercoupe, Berliner-Joyce, North American, and Curtiss-Caproni. Numerous civilian airfields and military air bases dot the Old Line State from the mountains in the west across the Chesapeake Bay to the Eastern Shore. This collection of historic photographs from a number of sources depicts Maryland's aviation pioneers, the manufacturing companies and the famous airplanes they built, and the state's airports and bases.