The Town of Boonsboro

Boonsboro is a medium size town located almost halfway between Frederick and Hagerstown on the Historic National Road.  The town was founded by George and William Boone in 1792.

Within the Boonsboro zipcode are other communities such as Zittlestown, San Mar, Mapleville, and Mt. Lena.

2024 Census & Demographic Data:

The following data represents the municipal Town of Boonsboro and not the additional communities in the postal area.

Population: 3,809

Median Age: 35.6 years old

Median Income: $95,956/ household

Average Work Commute: 30.5 Minutes

Residents in Poverty: 3.32%

Average Home Value: $352,400

Why Boonsboro Matters

Our town is known for history, Produce, nature, and celebrity creators.  Here is a quick overview of the town history and highlights.

The town founders were cousins of Daniel Boone.  Washington County, Maryland is the first county in the United States named for George Washington, named for him in September 1776.  The People of Boonsboro constructed the first monument to be completed in his honor at the top of the mountain overlooking the town in 1827.

The town’s presence along the National Road route to the west saw several early U.S. Presidents, politicians, dignitaries and early celebrities travel through town.

Among other manufacturers, the town was home to an early redware potter named John Bowman whose creations are now valuable.

The road also allowed for wider distribution of local produce, and Boonsboro became known for its exceptional cantaloupes, as well as above-average peaches and South Mountain raspberries.

After the Civil War, Boonsboro’s placement at the intersection of the National Road and the turnpike to Sharpsburg made it a gateway for battlefield tourism.  The Antietam National Battlefield is only a few miles outside of town and can be seen from the Washington Monument.  The Battle of South Mountain took place on the Mountain overlooking the town days before the Battle of Antietam. There was also a small battle of Boonsboro following Gettysburg.  Another important Civil War location, Harpers Ferry National Historic Site, is nearby.

During quarry operations for road work in the early 1920s, a cavern was discovered outside of town.  Crystal Grottoes Caverns was opened over 100 years ago, and still remains open as Maryland’s only public show cave.  It advertises the most formations per square foot of any cavern known to man.

A local Civilian Conservation Corps camp and Works Progress Administration assignments in the area resulted in many local attractions and parks being created during the Great Depression, including Shafer Park and the restoration of the Washington Monument.  The monument is a state park, as are the South Mountain Battlefield and nearby Greenbrier State Park and Gapland State Park.

When President John F. Kennedy encouraged running programs for health, Boonsboro began hosting the starting line of the annual “JFK 50-Mile” which today remains the oldest ultramarathon in the United States.

The town Historical Society began hosting an annual art event in Shafer Park as a fundraiser.  This event known as Boonesborough Days is held every September and has been the largest event in town for over 50 years.

Artist and famed CIA operative Anthony “Tony” Mendez lived not far from town (we have one of his original pieces on display in our museum.)  While an avid painter, he became nationally known when details of the Iranian Hostage Crisis of the 1970s were declassified and his involvement in safely extracting several US embassy officials became known (A movie was made of this event, titled Argo, in which Ben Affleck plays Mendez.)  His son Toby Mendez is himself a renown sculptor and artist and remains in the area.

Today, many romance novel enthusiasts visit Boonsboro.  Best selling romance and crime thriller novelist Nora Roberts (aka J.D. Robb) also lives near town, and is personally responsible for the restoration of several historic buildings in town.  Her family operates the Inn Boonsboro, Gifts Inn Boonsboro, and Turn The Page Bookstore Cafe.  (The Nora Roberts Foundation supported the renovation of the National Road Museum building.)

Boonsboro boasts 4 museums on Main Street, and the multi-structure campus of the County Rural Heritage Museum is located within the Boonsboro postal limits.  We have a weekly farmer’s market and a traditional farm stand, two garden centers, a concert and event venue, a large festival venue, unique shops and dining experiences as well as a few familiar franchises, several parks, and much, much more!