Discover 5 of the Oldest Cities in Maryland

A lot of people have driven through Maryland on their way someplace else. That’s easy to do because it’s a state that’s right in the middle of everything. And it has been for a long time. In fact, it was one of the original colonies. The capital of the country, Washington D.C., is a square cut out of Maryland on the Potomac River. It was a slave state that remained in the Union during the Civil War. Some of the war’s big battles took place in or near Maryland. Wedged between Virginia, Delaware, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia, Maryland has been a crossroads of the East Coast. In this article, we look at five of the oldest cities in the state and what you can do there today.

1. Baltimore, 1729 (pop. 585,708)

Baltimore is only 40 miles from Washington, D.C. These cities are so closely connected; they almost seem like one large city. Plenty of people commute back and forth between them for work and events. Baltimore has always been an important East Coast port city. In colonial times it did a lively and profitable trade with Europe and the Caribbean. Baltimore was the site of a famous battle with the British in 1812 that inspired “The Star-Spangled Banner,” our national anthem.

A good starting point for visiting Baltimore today is the Inner Harbor. This used to be the warehouse district by the port but is now a shopping and entertainment center. Some notable places to visit there are the Maryland Science Center, the Baltimore World Trade Center, the Baltimore Convention Center, Harborplace, the National Aquarium, the Baltimore Museum of Industry, and the American Visionary Art Museum. Of course, Baltimore has professional sports teams, so a lot of people go there specifically for games. The food is really good there, too. Baltimore is world famous for Maryland blue crabs, crab cake, Old Bay Seasoning, and pit beef. You’ll even see fruit and vegetable vendors selling groceries from the backs of horse-drawn carts! This may be the last place in the country where such a practice exists. Baltimore is an unforgettable experience!

2. Thurmont, 1751 (pop. 6,935)

Thurmont was originally called Mechanicstown but changed its name because it was too similar to the nearby cities of Mechanicsville, Maryland, and Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania. The city is located in the foothills of the Catoctin Mountains. The famous Camp David retreat for U.S. Presidents is located in Catoctin Mountain Park. In 2005, the National Trust for Historic Preservation declared Thurmont a National Main Street.

A big annual event in Thurmont is Catoctin Colorfest, an arts and crafts festival that draws in about 125,000 people the second week of October. If you like outdoor activities, Cunningham Falls State Park and Catoctin Mountain Park have plenty of opportunities for biking, hiking, and swimming. The area has some beautiful covered bridges, orchards, and wineries. Animal lovers will also appreciate the Catoctine Wildlife Preserve and Zoo.

3. Gaithersburg, 1765 (pop. 69,657)

Gaithersburg started as “Log Town” but was renamed in the mid-19th century after one of the town’s early settlers. A really interesting distinction about this city is that it was chosen in the late 19th century as one of five sites around the world where a station was set up to measure how the Earth wobbles on its axis. After more accurate satellite and computer technology came on the scene, the station in Gaithersburg was closed down in 1982. It’s also the site of the U.S. Army Reserve Legal Command which helps provide legal support as needed for this branch of the military and its personnel.

One of the interesting sites in Gaithersburg is the Gaithersburg Latitude Observatory. The RIO Lakefront has good shopping. You can sample the local produce at Butler’s Orchard and the Montgomery County Agricultural Fair. If you want to get outdoors and stretch your legs, try out Seneca Creek State Park and the Muddy Branch Greenway Trail.

4. Ellicott City, 1772 (pop. 75,947)

Ellicott City was named after the three Quaker brothers who started it. They built a grain mill, sawmills, blacksmith shops, and distilleries that were the foundation for the economy of that area. Based on their religious ethics, they encouraged local farmers to grow wheat instead of tobacco. They were also concerned about improving the quality of the land. They were the first to introduce fertilizers to revitalize soil depleted by over-farming.

If you love the paranormal, Ellicott City is the place for you. They offer a Ghost Tour that includes visits to spooky mansions, a railroad bridge crossing, an old firehouse, and a women’s prison. Patapsco State Park is also nearby. It’s a good place to go horseback riding or mountain biking. Hiking, fishing, canoeing, camping — it’s all there. Check it out.

5. Catonsville, 1787 (pop. 44,701)

Catonsville was built on land owned by Charles Carroll, the last living signer of the Declaration of Independence. His son-in-law Richard Caton developed a town on the site and became the city’s namesake. The settlement prospered because it was in a good location for travelers to Baltimore. It ended up becoming one of the first commuter suburbs in the country, connected at first by horsecars, then railroad and electric streetcar lines. Today a major attraction to the city is the University of Maryland, Baltimore County.

Visitors to the area should be sure to see the Benjamin Banneker Historical Park and Museum. He was an African American scientist, mathematician, and astronomer who corresponded with Thomas Jefferson and deserves historical recognition. The Lurman Woodland Theater and B&O Railroad Museum are also noteworthy. The Patapsco Valley State Park stretches for 16,000 acres along the Patapsco River. It’s a great place for camping and enjoying wildlife.

Summary of 5 of the Oldest Cities in Maryland

Here’s a recap of the five oldest cities in the state of Maryland that we took a look at:

Maryland Has a Lot to Offer

So, this completes our very fast tour of five of the oldest cities in one of the oldest states of our country. What do you think? Was there anything here that interests you? Museums? Camping? Historical sites? The aquarium? Ghost tours? Seafood and fresh organic produce? There really is something for everyone in Maryland. Get off the highway and check it out!

The photo featured at the top of this post is © iStock.com/Kruck20