Smithsburg

History

Smithsburg, Maryland, was founded in 1812 by Christopher "Stuffle" Smith. He purchased a plot of land formerly known as "part of Shadrack's Lot." The community's development was directly influenced by factors such as migration paths, the arrival of the railroad, and advances in agricultural technology. By 1923, much of the existing village had been erected. Smithsburg was incorporated in 1846. Smithsburg acted as a hospital town during the American Civil War in 1862, treating wounded soldiers from nearby battles at South Mountain and Antietam. On July 5, 1863, Confederate General James Stuart and Union General Kilpatrick exchanged artillery fire over Smithsburg. A cannon ball from this exchange can be found lodged in the wall of a building on Water Street. Kilpatrick continued the advance to Boonsboro, Maryland after the engagement on July 6. An incident involving slaves in May 1845 proved to be violent for the people of Smithsburg. Twelve runaway slaves from Leesburg, Virginia had been seeking their way to freedom in the North when a man who considered himself to be a professional slave catcher, who had only supposed the group to be runaways, noticed the party making their way past his home at three o’clock in the morning. Beckoning the town constable and six other men to apprehend the runaways, the supposed leader exclaimed, "Now, boys, G-d d--n you, fight!" Armed with pistols and tomahawks, the Virginia runaways had the upper hand as the rural Smithsburg men only exhibited clubs and sticks for protection. A skirmish took place which badly wounded some of the Smithsburg men: "Constable Flora was twice knocked down, Price had his arm nearly severed and the bone broken, by a blow from a tomahawk he also had a pistol snapped in his face, which unfortunately failed to…

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of , of which is land and is water. The only body of water that is within the limits of Smithsburg is the now inactive Smithsburg reservoir. Smithsburg is characterized by rolling hills and open space. The town is well known for its farming community, including apple orchards and dairy farms. Due to Smithsburg's location between the Appalachian Mountains and the Chesapeake Bay watershed, its climate is considered mild to moderate. The area has warm, humid summers and winters with temperatures hovering around freezing point.

Race & ethnicity

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
• 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
• Smithsburg High
  High · Smithsburg · 717 students · 16.7:1 ratio
• Salem Avenue Elementary
  Elementary · Hagerstown · 687 students · 14.6:1 ratio
• Maugansville Elementary
  Elementary · Maugansville · 676 students · 15.7:1 ratio