Boonsboro

History

Local lore asserts Boonsboro was founded by George Boone, a cousin of Daniel Boone, and was originally named "Margaretsville" after his wife, Margaret. The town was incorporated as Boonesborough in 1831. Local newspapers and villagers preferred the name Boonsboro. The former name was used on some documents as late as 1903. Boonsboro was a key town during the American Civil War. Two battles were fought in its present borders. The town was also used to keep wounded soldiers after the Battle of Antietam in September 1862. Southeast of the town was the site of the Battle of South Mountain. Boonsboro lies on what used to be the National Road. Today it is known as either the Old National Pike or Alt-U.S. 40. In Boonsboro, it is Main Street. The route was originally established as a road improvement project in 1758 to shorten travel between Fredericktown and Fort Frederick during the Seven Years' War. The route began from the existing (old) road at today's Marker road, passed through Turner's Gap, Boonsboro and turned west along today's MD. Rt. 68 to Williamsport. The route from Boonsboro to Funkstown was later adopted as part of the National Turnpike route. The town suffered a fire at the former Asaro's (its successor Vesta moved to the building across) in 2007, and another fire at the former inn in 2008. That fire completely gutted the inn, which was on the verge of being renovated and reopened. The Inn BoonsBoro finally opened a year later; it is owned by best-selling romance novelist Nora Roberts. Recently, Boonsboro gained national attention as a literary and tourist destination due to the influence of the novelist. Apart from owning the inn, Nora Roberts has also revitalized several businesses in town such as a gift shop and a bookstore, establishing attention…

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of , of which is land and is water. Boonsboro is the starting point for the JFK 50 Mile race held every year in November.

Race & ethnicity

Largest nearby schools

• South Hagerstown High
  High · Hagerstown · 1,487 students · 17.1:1 ratio
• Williamsport High
  High · Williamsport · 959 students · 16.8:1 ratio
• E. Russell Hicks Middle
  Middle · Hagerstown · 824 students · 16.5:1 ratio
• Springfield Middle
  Middle · Williamsport · 748 students · 15.3:1 ratio
• Boonsboro High
  High · Boonsboro · 747 students · 14.4:1 ratio
• Pangborn Elementary
  Elementary · Hagerstown · 673 students · 13.5:1 ratio
• Rockland Woods Elementary
  Elementary · Hagerstown · 625 students · 16:1 ratio
• Boonsboro Middle
  Middle · Boonsboro · 610 students · 13.9:1 ratio