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 upperStonehenge Limestone. Many of the older buildings were built from this stone, which is easily quarried and dressed onsite. It whitens in weathering and theedgewise conglomerate and wavy laminae become distinctly visible, giving an appearance unique to theCumberland Valley as seen in the architecture ofSt. John's Episcopal Church.[12]
Despite its semi-rural Western Maryland setting, Hagerstown is a center of transit and commerce. Interstates81 and70,CSX,Norfolk Southern, and theWinchester and Western railroads, as well asHagerstown 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 ofSouth CentralPennsylvania and theMartinsburg Panhandle Area. Hagerstown has often been referred to as, and is nicknamed, theHub City.[1]
In 1739,Jonathan Hager, a German immigrant fromPennsylvania and a volunteer Captain of Scouts, purchased 200 acres (81 ha) of land in the Great Appalachian Valley between theBlue Ridge andAllegheny Mountains inMaryland 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 neighboringFrederick 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, theMaryland State Legislature officially endorsed the changing of the town's name.[1][13]
In 1794, government forces arrested 150 citizens during adraft riot which was staged by protesters in response to theWhiskey Rebellion.[14]
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 theCivil War. In 1861, GeneralRobert Patterson's troops used Hagerstown as a base to attackVirginia troops in theShenandoah Valley. In theMaryland Campaign of 1862, GeneralJames Longstreet's command occupied the town while en route to theBattle of South Mountain andAntietam. In 1863, the city was the site of several military incursions and engagements as Gen.Robert E. Lee's army invaded and retreated in theGettysburg campaign. In 1864, Hagerstown was invaded by theConfederate 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,[15] in retribution forU.S. destruction of farms, feed and cattle in theShenandoah Valley. This is in contrast to neighboringChambersburg, 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 andShepherdstown, West Virginia. Roughly 60% however, remained unidentified. In 1877, 15 years after theBattle of Antietam, also known as the Battle ofSharpsburg, approximately 2,800 Confederate dead from that battle and also from the battles on South Mountain were re-interred inWashington Confederate Cemetery, within Rose Hill Cemetery in Hagerstown.[16][17]
The weathervane known as "Little Heiskell", a symbol of the city of Hagerstown, Maryland
One of the most recognizable symbols of Hagerstown is theweathervane known as "Little Heiskell". Named after the German tinsmith Benjamin Heiskell who crafted it in 1769 in the form of aHessian soldier.[1]
According to theUnited 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.[18] Major waterways within Hagerstown include Hamilton Run andAntietam 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 ofMid-Atlantic agriculture.
Hagerstown is situated in the transition between thehumid subtropical climate zone (KöppenCfa) and thehumid continental climate zone (KöppenDfa), 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.[19] 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.[19]
As of thecensus[24] of 2010, there were 39,662 people, 16,449 households, and 9,436 families residing in the city. Thepopulation 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% fromother races, and 5.1% from two or more races.Hispanic orLatino 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% weremarried 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.[25]
As of the U.S.census[26] of 2000, there were 36,687 people, 15,849 households, and 9,081 families residing in the city. Updated July 1, 2008, census estimates reflect Hagerstown having 39,728 people, an increase of 8.3% from the year 2000.
According toCensus 2000 figures, the population density was 3,441.5 inhabitants 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 orLatino, 0.25%Native American, 0.96%Asian, 0.04%Pacific Islander, 0.83% fromother races, and 1.83% from two or more races. There were 17,154 males and 19,533 females residing in the city.[27]
There were 15,849 households, out of which 29.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 36.8% weremarried 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.[28]
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. Theper capita income for the city was $17,153. About 15.1% of families and 18.1% of the population were below thepoverty line, including 27.0% of those under age 18 and 13.7% of those age 65 or over.[29]
The primary cities are Hagerstown andMartinsburg, West Virginia. 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).[11] The growth is mostly due to the influx of people from Washington, D.C., and Baltimore, MD.[citation needed]
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.
Amid the COVID-19 pandemic, e-commerce brands began searching for new places to do business. Due to high property prices near Interstate 95 businesses looked to develop along Interstate 81. The Hagerstown-Washington County area is attractive since it intersects Interstate 81 and Interstate 70, and because of this, numerous warehouses have been built in Hagerstown and the surrounding area.[30]
Kreider-Reisner was formed in 1923, merged intoFairchild Aircraft in 1929, and manufactured components of military and civilian aircraft at Hagerstown until 1984. The former aircraft factory is now manufacturingammunition forrifles andpistols.[31] Manufacturing, which was never entirely removed from the Hagerstown economy, returned to Hagerstown when Hitachi Rail began construction of a $70 million factory in Hagerstown.[32]
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] The Alsatia Mummers Parade is an annual parade during the Halloween season. It is run by Alsatia Club Inc. and was first run in 1921.
Fairgrounds Park hosts various events throughout the year like the annual Hagerstown Hispanic Festival held in mid-September and the cities annual July 4 firework show.[35][37][38]
From 1915 to 1929,Hagerstown's Class D minor league team played in theBlue Ridge League at Willow Lane Park, now the site of Bester Elementary School, under several names: Blues (1915), Terriers (1916–18, 1922–23), Champs (1920–21), and Hubs (1924–1930). In 1930,Municipal Stadium was constructed and the Hubs played their final season there. In 1931, prior to the next season beginning, the Blue Ridge League folded due to financial losses and the Hagerstown Hubs moved toParkersburg, West Virginia.[39][40]
From 1935 to 1955, various barnstorming Negro League teams played in Hagerstown on at least seven occasions; however, there is no complete history of Black baseball in Hagerstown as local news rarely covered it.[41]
In 1941, professional baseball returned to Hagerstown when the Detroit Tigers moved their minor league affiliate there. TheHagerstown Owls competed in the Class BInterstate League. In 1950, the Owls were renamed the Hagerstown Braves as they became a minor league affiliate of the Boston Braves. In 1953, the Braves joined the Class BPiedmont League. In 1954, the Braves were renamed the Hagerstown Packets and became a minor league affiliate of the Washington Senators. The Piedmont League ceased operations in 1955 and Hagerstown was left without a team until 1981.[42][39]
From 1981 to 2020, theHagerstown Suns played inMunicipal Stadium and were initially the Class A affiliate of theBaltimore Orioles. The Suns became the Double-A affiliate of the Orioles in 1989. They were affiliated with the Orioles until 1992 when the Suns moved toBowie, Maryland and became theBowie Baysox. Shortly after the Suns departure in 1992, theMyrtle Beach Hurricanes relocated to Hagerstown, became the Hagerstown Suns, and became the Class A affiliate of the Toronto Blue Jays. They would remain Class A for the remainder of their existence. In 2001, they affiliated with the San Francisco Giants. They affiliated with the New York Mets in 2005, and then with the Washington Nationals in 2007.[39] The Suns folded in 2021 whenMinor League Baseball was restructured and reduced to 120 teams.[43] Municipal Stadium was demolished in 2022 to make way for an indoor turf complex.[44][45]
On September 1, 2021, the Atlantic League announced approval for a new baseball team in Hagerstown. The team will play in the newMeritus Park. The team was initially set to begin play in 2023, but delays in stadium construction pushed the inaugural season to 2024.[46][47] A groundbreaking ceremony was held in October 2022 for the new stadium.[48][49] On July 20, 2023, the team name was announced as theHagerstown Flying Boxcars after fan submissions and voting. The other options for voting were Haymakers, Battling Swans, Diezel Dogs, and Tin Lizards.[50] The team opened their inaugural season on April 25, 2024, on the road against theYork Revolution,[51] and had their home opener at Meritus Park with limited attendance on May 4, 2024.[52]
To the west of the city liesHagerstown Speedway, a nationally known dirt-track racing venue. Another professional racing track, Mason-Dixon Dragway, is located just southeast of Hagerstown.
Thenonpartisan representative body of Hagerstown is known as the City Council. Its current members are Kristin Aleshire, Caroline Anderson, Erika Bell, Tiara Burnett, and Sean Flaherty.[55][56]
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 from 2020 to 2023, where three councilwomen were inaugurated in November 2020.[57] The council became three men and two women in March 2023 whenMatthew Schindler was selected to fill the vacant council seat after Tekesha Martinez was selected to become mayor to fill the seat left by Emily Keller.[58]
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 were the first black councilmembers to serve concurrently.[57] In February 2023, Martinez became the city's first black mayor after being unanimously selected by the city council to become mayor after Emily Keller resigned to take a position in GovernorWes Moore's cabinet.[59]
Initially Hagerstown had one high school known as Hagerstown High School located on Potomac Avenue between 1927 and 1958. It later became North Potomac Middle School after North Hagerstown High School was built on Pennsylvania Avenue and opened in 1958. South Hagerstown High School had already been built and was opened in 1956.
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
A street corner on Broadway near downtown Hagerstown.
Washington County Transit buses provide transportation within the city. More limited service is available to surrounding communities in Washington County.
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.
Despite being at the crossroads of CSX, Norfolk Southern, and the Winchester and Western railroads, there is no passenger rail service in Hagerstown. The Maryland Transit Authority began a feasibility study in February 2023 on expanding theMARC Train Brunswick line into Hagerstown.[64]Martinsburg, West Virginia, offersAmtrak andMARC Train service toUnion Station in Washington, D.C., while Frederick offers MARC commuter rail service as well.
^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.
^"Station: Hagerstown Washington CO AP, MD".U.S. Climate Normals 2020: U.S. Monthly Climate Normals (1991–2020). National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. RetrievedJune 16, 2021.
^"National Register of Historic Places Listings"(PDF). National Park Service. October 22, 2010.Archived from the original on July 28, 2014. RetrievedJuly 25, 2014.Weekly List of Actions Taken on Properties: 10/12/10 through 10/15/10
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