Braddock Heights

History

Braddock Heights is located at an elevation of atop Braddock Mountain (as Catoctin Mountain is locally known) near the pass at Braddock Springs, so named after British General Edward Braddock and Lt. Colonel George Washington's use of the mountain pass on their way to Fort Duquesne during the French and Indian War on April 29, 1755. During the Civil War, Braddock Heights was the site of a minor cavalry battle between generals J.E.B. Stuart (CSA) and Alfred Pleasonton (USA) on September 13, 1862; it was at that time known as "Fairview Pass". One mile east of Braddock Heights, near the base of Braddock Mountain, are the older communities of Clifton and Old Braddock. The picturesque view of the city of Frederick from Old Braddock, also known as "Fairview", elevation , was the inspiration for Oliver Wendell Holmes Sr. to record in his 1862 journal: This journal entry was in turn an inspiration for Holmes' close friend John Greenleaf Whittier when composing the famous Civil War poem Barbara Fritchie.Braddock Pass is near the locations at which Interstate 70 and the National Pike (U.S. Route 40) cross Catoctin Mountain. Braddock Heights was founded in 1896 by George William Smith as a summer resort community that eventually included several hotels, a community pool, a wooden-floor skating rink, an amusement park, scenic overlooks, nature trails, and until 1980, a small ski resort. Braddock Heights has been host to many national political figures, including Oliver Wendell Holmes Sr., Edwin Warfield, President Franklin D. Roosevelt, Earl Warren, Ethel Kennedy, and (then) Senator Richard Nixon.Braddock Heights was one of the first modern planned communities in the United States, and custom housing development has continued since 1901. Braddock Heights is now known for its…

Geography

Braddock Heights is located in west-central Frederick County along the ridgecrest of Catoctin Mountain, known locally as "Braddock Mountain". U.S. Route 40 Alternate crosses the mountain near the center of the community, leading east to Frederick and west to Middletown. Interstate 70 crosses the northern part of the CDP, with access from partial Exit 49 (U.S. Route 40 Alt.) at the east base of the mountain. U.S. Route 40 forms the northern edge of the CDP. According to the United States Census Bureau, the Braddock Heights CDP has a total area of , of which , or 0.23%, is water.

Race & ethnicity

Largest nearby schools

• Gov. Thomas Johnson High
  High · Frederick · 1,962 students · 18.5:1 ratio
• Frederick High
  High · Frederick · 1,829 students · 17.9:1 ratio
• Tuscarora High
  High · Frederick · 1,717 students · 19.3:1 ratio
• Oakdale High
  High · Ijamsville · 1,622 students · 20.8:1 ratio
• Walkersville High
  High · Walkersville · 1,213 students · 18.7:1 ratio
• Middletown High
  High · Middletown · 1,097 students · 20.3:1 ratio
• Oakdale Middle
  Middle · Ijamsville · 1,057 students · 18.9:1 ratio
• Oakdale Elementary
  Elementary · Ijamsville · 1,028 students · 18:1 ratio