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March 30, 2021

Spotlight on Jonathan Street

In honor of Black History Month, this article will focus on Hagerstown’s historic Jonathan Street Neighborhood, specifically with regards to its formation and notable historic sites. Described by author Lynn Bowman as “a story of America in miniature,” Hagerstown’s Jonathan Street Neighborhood is a historic African-American community. Although Jonathan Street existed prior to 1865, scholars agree that the Jonathan Street Neighborhood was formed after the Civil War, when African Americans were bound by segregation laws that restricted their movement and opportunities. In an effort to overcome these stringent laws, African-Americans created their own community along Jonathan Street. It was here that many historic African American owned businesses such as the Harmon Hotel thrived. The Jonathan Street Neighborhood houses many historic sites including the home sites of the Moxley brother’s and Jacob Wheaton, the first Black man to vote in the state of Maryland. An important site was the Harmon Hotel. Built at the turn of the twentieth century and situated at 226 N. Jonathan Street, the Harmon Hotel was owned by well-known African-Americanentrepreneur Walter Harmon. During the segregation era, the Harmon Hotel was the only place for visiting African-Americans to stay in Hagerstown. It was at the Harmon Hotel that […]
January 28, 2021

Hie on up to Braddock Heights

Close your eyes. Think about your favorite summer activity. Does your picture-perfect summer day include a trip to the shore? How about a visit to your local amusement park? Perhaps it includes a dip in your community pool, or, heck, maybe even a visit to the bowling alley or roller rink? From the late nineteenth until the middle of the twentieth century, Western Marylander’s could go for a swim in their community pool, spend a day at a small amusement park, or go to a local rolling rink or bowling alley. Or, you know, they could just hop on the trolley, “Hie on up to Braddock” and spend a fun-filled summer day at scenic Braddock Heights, where they could do all that, and more. Founded in 1896 and situated atop Catoctin Mountain in Frederick County, MD, Braddock Heights was named for its use as a mountain pass by British General Edward Braddock during the Seven Years War. Today a quiet, picturesque unincorporated community, Braddock Heights was once home to a bustling summer resort community that included an amusement park, community pool, scenic overlook, ski resort, and the oldest roller rink in the United States. With all its amenities and attractions, […]
December 7, 2020

Washington County and the crossroads of the American Revolution

The date was Dec. 25, 1776. A stinging, biting chill hung in the night air, as did a quiet sense of dread. Freezing rain cascaded down in a driving, relentless torrent, pelting man, horse and cannon alike. Men like William Heyser, a captain in the German Battalion of the Continental Army — in which many Washington County men served, grimaced in pain, unable to cry out as their raw, bare feet clung to snow and ice. Did you know Washington County is famous for having had at least one participant in every major American military conflict? During the American Revolution, more than 80 residents like Heyser, Sgt. Jacob Miller, and Private Adam Stonebraker enlisted in the German Battalion at the beginning of the war. These men saw service in the disastrous New York Campaign, as well as the campaign that followed. In fact, these brave Washington Countians not only served in the desperate Ten Crucial Days Campaign, which began with a nine-mile walk through Hell to Trenton, but, as some of George Washington’s most experienced soldiers, they were in the forefront of the fighting at the Battles of Trenton and Princeton, which occurred on Dec. 26, 1776, and Jan. 3, […]
November 9, 2020

Hagerstown’s “Buffalo Soldier” left an indelible mark, and a distinguished legacy

November 11th is Veterans Day. Originally called Armistice Day, and celebrated for the first time on November 11th, 1919, Veterans day was, initially, a day that marked the cessation of World War I, which formally ended at the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month of 1918. Armistice Day was intended as a day to commemorate the lives lost during the Great War. In 1954, Armistice Day was renamed Veterans Day. Today, Veterans Day honors the selfless service and sacrifice of America’s veterans.  Did you know that Washington County is famous for having had at least one participant in every major American military conflict? From Jonathan Hager to Jacob Huyett, Washington County has an extensive military heritage. In honor of Veterans Day, we want to share with you the incredible story of William Othello Wilson, a dedicated soldier, a Medal of Honor recipient, and a native son of Hagerstown.  Born on September 16, 1869 in Hagerstown, Maryland, William Othello Wilson enlisted in the U.S. Army on August 21, 1889, in St. Paul, Minnesota. Assigned to the 9th Cavalry Regiment – one of four completely African-American regiments nicknamed the ‘Buffalo Soldiers’ by warriors of the Cheyenne Native American […]