Boonsboro, Maryland
Encyclopedia
Boonsboro is a town in Washington County, Maryland
, United States, located at the foot of South Mountain
. It nearly borders Frederick County
and is proximate to the Antietam National Battlefield
. The population was 2,803 at the 2000 census, with an estimated population of 3,399 in July 2008.
, also Joseph Basford, and was originally named "Margaretsville" after his wife. 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 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.
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 town suffered a fire at the former Asaro's (its successor Vesta moved to the building across) in 2007, and a fire at the former inn in 2008. That fire completely gutted the inn, which was on the verge of being renovated and reopened. It finally opened a year later.
According to the United States Census Bureau
, the town has a total area of 1.5 square miles (3.9 km²), of which, 1.5 square miles (3.9 km²) of it is land and 0.66% is water.
was 1,851.0 people per square mile (716.7/km²). There were 1,109 housing units at an average density of 732.3 per square mile (283.6/km²). The racial makeup of the town was 98.04% White, 0.75% African American, 0.11% Native American, 0.18% Asian, 0.04% Pacific Islander, 0.14% from other races
, and 0.75% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.75% of the population.
There were 1,068 households out of which 34.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 52.2% were married couples living together, 11.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 32.3% were non-families. 27.2% of all households were made up of individuals and 15.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.47 and the average family size was 3.04.
In the town the population was spread out with 25.5% under the age of 18, 5.9% from 18 to 24, 28.4% from 25 to 44, 20.3% from 45 to 64, and 19.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females there were 85.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 76.5 males.
The median income for a household in the town was $40,476, and the median income for a family was $48,155. Males had a median income of $37,683 versus $25,673 for females. The per capita income
for the town was $19,430. About 7.8% of families and 7.9% of the population were below the poverty line, including 6.4% of those under age 18 and 14.1% of those age 65 or over.
Boonsboro's current Mayor is Charles F. (Skip) Kauffman, Jr.
Previous Mayors include:
The current principal of Boonsboro High School is Peggy Pugh.
Washington County, Maryland
Washington County is a county located in the western part of the U.S. state of Maryland, bordering southern Pennsylvania to the north, northern Virginia to the south, and the Eastern Panhandle of West Virginia to the south and west. As of the 2010 Census, its population is 147,430...
, United States, located at the foot of South Mountain
South Mountain (Maryland and Pennsylvania)
South Mountain is the northern extension of the Blue Ridge Mountain range in Maryland and Pennsylvania. From the Potomac River near Knoxville, Maryland in the south, to Dillsburg, Pennsylvania in the north, the long range separates the Hagerstown and Cumberland valleys from the Piedmont regions of...
. It nearly borders Frederick County
Frederick County, Maryland
Frederick County is a county located in the western part of the U.S. state of Maryland, bordering the southern border of Pennsylvania and the northeastern border of Virginia. As of the 2010 Census, the population was 233,385....
and is proximate to the Antietam National Battlefield
Antietam National Battlefield
Antietam National Battlefield is a National Park Service protected area along Antietam Creek in Sharpsburg, Maryland which commemorates the American Civil War Battle of Antietam that occurred on September 17, 1862...
. The population was 2,803 at the 2000 census, with an estimated population of 3,399 in July 2008.
History
Local lore asserts Boonsboro was founded by George Boone and William Boone, cousins of Daniel BooneDaniel Boone
Daniel Boone was an American pioneer, explorer, and frontiersman whose frontier exploits mad']'e him one of the first folk heroes of the United States. Boone is most famous for his exploration and settlement of what is now the Commonwealth of Kentucky, which was then beyond the western borders of...
, also Joseph Basford, and was originally named "Margaretsville" after his wife. 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 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.
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 town suffered a fire at the former Asaro's (its successor Vesta moved to the building across) in 2007, and a fire at the former inn in 2008. That fire completely gutted the inn, which was on the verge of being renovated and reopened. It finally opened a year later.
Geography
Boonsboro is located at 39°30′30"N 77°39′14"W.According to the United States Census Bureau
United States Census Bureau
The United States Census Bureau is the government agency that is responsible for the United States Census. It also gathers other national demographic and economic data...
, the town has a total area of 1.5 square miles (3.9 km²), of which, 1.5 square miles (3.9 km²) of it is land and 0.66% is water.
Demographics
As of the census of 2000, there were 2,803 people, 1,068 households, and 723 families residing in the town. The population densityPopulation density
Population density is a measurement of population per unit area or unit volume. It is frequently applied to living organisms, and particularly to humans...
was 1,851.0 people per square mile (716.7/km²). There were 1,109 housing units at an average density of 732.3 per square mile (283.6/km²). The racial makeup of the town was 98.04% White, 0.75% African American, 0.11% Native American, 0.18% Asian, 0.04% Pacific Islander, 0.14% from other races
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, and 0.75% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.75% of the population.
There were 1,068 households out of which 34.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 52.2% were married couples living together, 11.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 32.3% were non-families. 27.2% of all households were made up of individuals and 15.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.47 and the average family size was 3.04.
In the town the population was spread out with 25.5% under the age of 18, 5.9% from 18 to 24, 28.4% from 25 to 44, 20.3% from 45 to 64, and 19.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females there were 85.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 76.5 males.
The median income for a household in the town was $40,476, and the median income for a family was $48,155. Males had a median income of $37,683 versus $25,673 for females. The per capita income
Per capita income
Per capita income or income per person is a measure of mean income within an economic aggregate, such as a country or city. It is calculated by taking a measure of all sources of income in the aggregate and dividing it by the total population...
for the town was $19,430. About 7.8% of families and 7.9% of the population were below the poverty line, including 6.4% of those under age 18 and 14.1% of those age 65 or over.
Government
Boonsboro has a 7-member Town Council, which serves as the legislative body of the Town. In Boonsboro, from 1831 through 1939, Mayors (originally called Burgesses) were elected annually. From 1940 through 1975, they served two-year terms. Since 1976, Mayors have been chosen for four-year terms, except for the present mayor who has been able to serve since 1988 for some reason.Boonsboro's current Mayor is Charles F. (Skip) Kauffman, Jr.
Previous Mayors include:
- 1831-1835 Jonathan Shafer
- 1835-1836 David Brookhart
- 1836-1837 Lewis Fletcher
- 1837-1838 Joseph O'neal
- 1838-1839 Anthony McBride
- 1839-1840 Joseph Knox
- 1840-1841 Charles Perry
- 1841-1843 Jacob Smith
- 1843-1845 James Chambers
- 1845-1846 Andrew Newcomer
- 1846-1847 Lewis Fletcher
- 1847-1848 James Chambers
- 1848-1850 David Gilbert
- 1850-1851 David H. Keedy
- 1851-1852 J. C. Brining
- 1852-1853 William H. Miller
- 1853-1854 P. B. Stuffing
- 1854-1855 J. C. Brining
- 1855-1856 John Stonesifer
- 1856-1857 Lauton Miller
- 1857-1859 James Chambers
- 1859-1862 Joseph O'helper
- 1862-1864 James Chambers
- 1864-1865 George Numan
- 1865-1867 Josiah Knodle
- 1867-1868 Jacob Blecman
- 1868-1869 David Schlosser
- 1869-1872 John H. Smith
- 1872-1874 Anslem Watery
- 1874-1876 Elias Cost
- 1876-1877 George Hoffmeister
- 1877-1880 William Welck
- 1880-1881 Thomas E. Smith
- 1881-1882 John Murdock
- 1882-1883 George Nyman
- 1883-1885 John H. Lakin
- 1885-1886 John C. Brining
- 1886-1887 William E. Itnyre
- 1887-1888 A. M. V. B. Deaner
- 1888-1889 Frank Smith
- 1889-1891 John R. Fletcher
- 1891-1892 John E. Smith
- 1892-1893 Matthew O'Brn
- 1893-1894 M. L. Storm
- 1894-1895 Eli Wade
- 1895-1897 James P. Ford
- 1897-1898 Frank E. Newcomer
- 1898-1899 William L. Irwin
- 1899-1901 John R. Fletcher
- 1901-1902 O. J. Stotlemyer
- 1902-1904 Elias E. Martz
- 1904-1905 C. C. Ford
- 1905-1906 George M. Stover
- 1906-1909 G. J. Roudabush
- 1909-1910 Elias E. Martz
- 1910-1911 G. J. Roudabush
- 1911-1912 H. G. Routzahn
- 1912-1916 G. J. Roudabush
- 1916-1917 George M. Stover
- 1917-1919 J. L. Danner
- 1919-1920 H. P. Lynch
- 1920-1921 Harvey J. Huffer
- 1921-1925 George McBride
- 1925-1926 Oscar Morgan
- 1926-1929 George McBride
- 1929-1934 H. S. Bomberger
- 1934-1935 Alfred C. Huffer
- 1935-1938 D. Frank Miller
- 1938-1940 John Hershberger
- 1940-1942 John Hershberger
- 1942-1960 John B. Wheeler
- 1960-1970 John L. Herr
- 1970-1974 Kenneth E. Ramsburg
- 1974-1976 Edward T. Weaver
- 1976-1980 Stuart L. Mullendore
- 1980-1988 John L. Herr
- 1988- Charles F. (Skip) Kauffman, Jr.
Education
Boonsboro is served by a 90 acres (364,217.4 m²) educational complex. It consists of the following schools:- Boonsboro Elementary School
- Boonsboro Middle School
- Boonsboro High SchoolBoonsboro High SchoolBoonsboro High School is a public high school in Boonsboro, Washington County, Maryland, United States. The present school building was created in 1958 and renovated in 1975-76, 2006...
The current principal of Boonsboro High School is Peggy Pugh.
Notable residents and natives
- Janet Doub EricksonJanet Doub Erickson-Block Printer, Author, and Graphic Artist:Janet Doub Erickson is an American graphic artist and writer who popularized linoleum-block and woodblock printing in the post-World War II period, both through her art and through her writings...
, artist and educator (born in Hagerstown Hospital to a Boonsboro farming family, she spent her childhood there) - William Thomas HamiltonWilliam Thomas HamiltonWilliam Thomas Hamilton , a member of the United States Democratic Party, was the 38th Governor of Maryland in the United States from 1880 to 1884...
, 38th Governor of Maryland, U.S. Senator, & U.S. Congressman for Maryland's 2nd District and 4th District. Born in Boonsboro on 8 September 1820. - The late Charlotte WintersCharlotte WintersCharlotte Louise Berry Winters was, at age 109, the last surviving female American veteran of The First World War.-Biography:...
, 109, once the oldest surviving female American World War I veteran. Served in the Navy. - Nora RobertsNora RobertsNora Roberts is a bestselling American author of more than 209 romance novels. She writes as J.D. Robb for the "In Death" series, and has also written under the pseudonym Jill March...
, author of over 170 romantic novels. - Bob Ranft, U.S. curling champion.
Area Attractions
- Crystal GrottoesCrystal GrottoesCrystal Grottoes is the only show cave in the U.S. state of Maryland. It is located on Maryland Route 34 between Boonsboro and Antietam National Battlefield.-History:...
- Washington Monument State Park
- Greenbrier State ParkGreenbrier State ParkGreenbrier State Park is a Maryland state park on South Mountain in Washington County.-External links:* - official site...
- Old South Mountain Inn
- Stoney Creek FarmStoney Creek FarmStoney Creek Farm is located in Boonsboro, Maryland. It is near the American Civil War battlefield Antitam, Washington Monument State Park, and the Appalachian Trail...
- South Mountain State BattlefieldSouth Mountain State ParkSouth Mountain State Park is a state park in Washington and Frederick county, Maryland. The park encompasses nearly the entire length of South Mountain through Maryland and is contiguous with several other national, state and local parks on the mountain, including the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal...
- Boonsboro cantaloupes
- Inn Boonsboro (Themed Bed and BreakfastBed and breakfastA bed and breakfast is a small lodging establishment that offers overnight accommodation and breakfast, but usually does not offer other meals. Since the 1980s, the meaning of the term has also extended to include accommodations that are also known as "self-catering" establishments...
owned by Nora RobertsNora RobertsNora Roberts is a bestselling American author of more than 209 romance novels. She writes as J.D. Robb for the "In Death" series, and has also written under the pseudonym Jill March...
) - Boonesborough Museum of History
- Boonsboro Trolley Museum
- Bowman HouseBowman House (Boonsboro, Maryland)The Bowman House is a log house in Boonsboro, Maryland, United States, typical of those built in the area in the early 19th century. It and its immediate grounds housed the "Boonsboro Pottery" from 1868, owned by John E. Bowman. The pottery closed by 1908, succumbing to mass-produced materials...