Funkstown

History

Originally were sold to Henry Funk by Frederick Calvert, 6th Baron Baltimore in 1754 and settled as Jerusalem. The Civil War Battle of Funkstown took place July 10, 1863, during the Gettysburg campaign as Robert E. Lee's Army of Northern Virginia retreated toward Virginia in the week following the Battle of Gettysburg. Union forces of the Army of the Potomac attacked the rear guard of the Confederate Army of Northern Virginia during its retreat from Pennsylvania following the Battle of Gettysburg. A strong Confederate presence at Funkstown threatened any Union advance against Gen. Robert E. Lee's position near Williamsport and the Potomac River as he retreated to Virginia after the Battle of Gettysburg. Maj. Gen. J.E.B. Stuart's cavalry, posted at Funkstown, posed a serious risk to the Federal right and rear if the Union army lunged west from Boonsboro. Stuart, meanwhile, determined to wage a spirited defense to ensure Lee time to complete fortifications protecting his army and his avenue of retreat. As Brig. Gen. John Buford's Federal cavalry division cautiously approached Funkstown via the National Road on Friday morning July 10, 1863, it encountered Stuart's crescent-shaped, three-mile-long battle line. It was Stuart's first defensive battle since reentering Maryland. The high ground constituted Stuart's extreme right, held by Preston Chew's horse artillery. A nearby stone barn and barnyard wall proved a superb defensive position for the 34th Virginia Battalion's dismounted cavalry. Col. Thomas C. Devin's dismounted Union cavalry brigade attacked about 8:00 a.m. By mid-afternoon, with Buford's cavalrymen running low on ammunition and gaining little ground, Col. Lewis A. Grant's First Vermont Brigade of infantry arrived and jabbed at the Confederate center…

Geography

Funkstown is located on Antietam Creek, south of Hagerstown. According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of , all land. Antietam Creek flows to the south within the city limits. The climate in this area is characterized by hot, humid summers and generally mild to cool winters. According to the Köppen Climate Classification system, Funkstown has a humid subtropical climate, abbreviated "Cfa" on climate maps.

Race & ethnicity

Most-observed species

• Northern Cardinal

  Cardinalis cardinalis (Linnaeus, 1758) · Aves
  13,402
• Carolina Wren

  Thryothorus ludovicianus (Latham, 1790) · Aves
  10,401
• Blue Jay

  Cyanocitta cristata (Linnaeus, 1758) · Aves
  9,293
• Carolina Chickadee

  Poecile carolinensis (Audubon, 1834) · Aves
  9,160
• Red-bellied Woodpecker

  Melanerpes carolinus (Linnaeus, 1758) · Aves
  9,080
• American Robin

  Turdus migratorius Linnaeus, 1766 · Aves
  9,074
• Tufted Titmouse

  Baeolophus bicolor (Linnaeus, 1766) · Aves
  9,040
• American Crow

  Corvus brachyrhynchos C.L.Brehm, 1822 · Aves
  8,412

Largest nearby schools

• South Hagerstown High
  High · Hagerstown · 1,487 students · 17.1:1 ratio
• North Hagerstown High
  High · Hagerstown · 1,438 students · 19.4:1 ratio
• Williamsport High
  High · Williamsport · 959 students · 16.8:1 ratio
• Western Heights Middle
  Middle · Hagerstown · 903 students · 15.6:1 ratio
• Northern Middle
  Middle · Hagerstown · 848 students · 16.3:1 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

Most recent

• M 2.5 — 2025-10-27
  4 km E of Riverside, Maryland
• M 2.6 — 2021-06-25
  2 km SE of Woodlawn, Maryland
• M 2.81 — 2019-09-15
  5 km ESE of East Berlin, Pennsylvania
• M 3.44 — 2019-06-13
  9 km N of Blain, Pennsylvania
• M 3.03 — 2016-01-17
  3 km NE of Ranson, West Virginia
• M 3.6 — 2010-07-16
  5 km NNW of Barnesville, Maryland