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43-603: Keedysville is a town in Washington County , Maryland , United States. The population was 1,152 at the 2010 census . The first documented house in Keedysville was built in 1738. The description for George Gordon's "Gordon's Purchase" land tract notes "...one log house, 12 x 15 feet..." The initial warrant for the tract had been issued to Owen McDonald in Jan. 1738, the year before Gordon acquired it. Gordon's Purchase

86-433: A synclinal occurrence of Tomstown Dolomite . The cave is essentially horizontal throughout its extent and the passages are typically high and narrow. A great deal of brown and red clay fills most of the cave to a considerable extent; the commercial tour routes involved the removal of up to 4–6 feet (1.2–1.8 m) of this clay in 900 feet (270 m) of the passages. Sediment fills many of the undeveloped passages to within

129-406: A delicate light red hue. The Blanket Room is the largest room in the caverns at 30 feet (9.1 m) long and 20 feet (6.1 m) wide. Large sheets of stalactites and draperies hang in clusters from the ceiling, which is here 20 feet (6.1 m) high. The passage leading to the lake is profuse with formations and in part is bridged by flat-lying travertine , a condition that is found in many of

172-435: A detailed listing of elementary, middle, high, and other schools. Public high schools Private high schools 39°36′N 77°49′W  /  39.60°N 77.81°W  / 39.60; -77.81 Crystal Grottoes Crystal Grottoes was discovered in 1920 in the course of quarrying operations by a road construction crew trying to obtain gravel. A drill bit (for placing explosives) disappeared into

215-406: A foot or two of the ceiling, thereby making many crawlways. No streams exist in the cave, although a small "lake" or pool is maintained by drip water. Most of the rooms abound in speleothem formations, generally stalactites , flowstone , and columns. They are typically white or buff, with one area (called Fairyland) tinted a light red, by iron oxides. The first room is 8 feet (2.4 m) below

258-414: A hole, and the crew realized they had found a cave. Blasting produced the entrance which is still used, and in 1922 the cave was opened to the public. A mapping operation in 1968 revealed about a half mile of passages, but only about one third of the cave is accessed during the tour, which takes about 30–35 minutes. Crystal Grottoes is an example of a solutional cave , formed in a karst environment within

301-758: Is known as the County Administrator. Currently, Kirk C. Downey serves as the Interim Administrator. However, Washington County's County Commissioners exercise executive powers as they exist in the government of the county. The County Commissioners in Washington County comprise the traditional form of county government in Maryland. Current members include: Terry Baker (Vice President), Randall Wagner, Cort Meinelschmidt, Jeffrey A. Cline (President), and Wayne K. Keefer. In 2000,

344-533: Is underlain by the Tomstown Dolomite, a carbonic rock formation of the Cambrian . The Tomstown is known for producing most of the caves in Washington County, especially in the area surrounding Keedysville. The area was once home to eight different caves, several of which were discovered during quarrying operations to remove rock for highway construction. The most famous of these caves, Crystal Grottoes ,

387-685: Is water. Washington County is located in the Appalachian Mountains , stretching from the Ridge-and-Valley Country in the west to South Mountain in the east, which is an extension of the Blue Ridge . Much of the county lies in the broad Hagerstown Valley between these two zones; the valley is part of the Great Appalachian Valley that continues southward into Virginia and West Virginia as

430-526: The 2010 United States Census , there were 147,430 people, 55,687 households, and 37,506 families residing in the county. The population density was 322.1 inhabitants per square mile (124.4/km ). There were 60,814 housing units at an average density of 132.8 per square mile (51.3/km ). The racial makeup of the county was 85.1% white, 9.6% black or African American, 1.4% Asian, 0.2% American Indian, 1.1% from other races, and 2.6% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 3.5% of

473-757: The 2020 census . Its county seat and largest city is Hagerstown . The county is part of the Western Maryland region of the state. Washington County was the first county in the United States to be named for the Revolutionary War general (and later President ) George Washington . Washington County is one of three Maryland counties recognized by the Appalachian Regional Commission as being part of Appalachia . The county borders southern Pennsylvania to

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516-500: The Köppen Climate Classification system, Keedysville has a humid subtropical climate , abbreviated "Cfa" on climate maps. The primary means of travel to and from Keedysville is by road. The only significant highway serving the town is Maryland Route 34 , which connects eastward to Boonsboro and westward to Sharpsburg . One additional state highway, Maryland Route 845 , also traverses the town, following

559-739: The Shenandoah Valley and northward into Pennsylvania as the Cumberland Valley . The county is bordered to the north by the Mason–Dixon line with Pennsylvania , to the south by the Potomac River and the states of Virginia and West Virginia , to the west by Sideling Hill Creek and Allegany County, Maryland , and to the east by Frederick County and South Mountain . As of the census of 2010, there were 147,430 people, 49,726 households, and 34,112 families residing in

602-404: The 1900s but the commercial nature of the town had begun to decline by the century's second decade. Like most small towns, the advent of the automobile and mechanization brought a gradual change as larger stores and factories became easily accessible and previously plentiful manual labor jobs decreased. Keedysville remained almost unchanged otherwise for much of the 20th century. Several additions to

645-484: The Christian Orndorff family. He is noted at that time as " a German youth ." This narrative, claiming construction of the mill complex in 1768 may stem from Hess' first land tract "Hess' Discovery," patented that year. The mill, however, was on the tract Gordon's Purchase, not Hess' Discovery. Hess was, however, a prosperous businessman and community leader. As such, he remains integral to the establishment of

688-419: The age of 18 living with them, 69.2% were married couples living together, 5.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 23.3% were non-families. 20.9% of all households were made up of individuals, and 8.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.80 and the average family size was 3.27. In the town, the population was spread out, with 28.6% under

731-459: The age of 18, 6.4% from 18 to 24, 31.1% from 25 to 44, 25.5% from 45 to 64, and 8.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 35 years. For every 100 females, there were 95.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 93.3 males. The median income for a household in the town was $ 53,250, and the median income for a family was $ 61,607. Males had a median income of $ 43,438 versus $ 30,938 for females. The per capita income for

774-838: The county was a consistent bellwether for all Presidential elections. Washington County is represented by two senators in the Maryland State Senate . Member Mike McKay (R), serves the 1st district in Maryland and Paul D. Corderman (R), serves in the 2nd district. The county also is represented in Maryland General Assembly ’s other primary division, the Maryland House of Delegates . Delegates who stand for Washington County include: Terry Baker (R) for District 1C, William Valentine (R) and William J. Wivell (R) for District 2A and Brooke Grossman (D) for District 2B. Washington County’s “leader”

817-405: The county. The population density was 315 inhabitants per square mile (122/km ). There were 52,972 housing units at an average density of 116 per square mile (45/km ). The racial makeup of the county was 89.71% White or Caucasian , 7.77% Black or African American , 0.18% Native American , 0.80% Asian , 0.04% Pacific Islander , 0.46% from other races , and 1.04% from two or more races. 1.19% of

860-684: The entrance house and is oblate in shape, being 30 feet (9.1 m) long, 10 feet (3.0 m) wide, and 15 feet (4.6 m) high. At each end it is pinched out by mud flows and narrowing of the passage. This room originally contained a considerable number of formations, but quarrying operations and clearing of passages have removed them except along the west wall where flowstone and stalactites are abundant. The passages are continuously lined or covered by formations. Delicate draperies, bacon, and columns predominate. The colors are generally pure white or buff with occasional deeper tints. The passages forming Fairyland are studded with stalactites and stalagmites of

903-550: The following census-designated places in the county: The county is located within Maryland's 6th congressional district . The representative of the district currently is David Trone (D). Like most of Appalachia , German -influenced and Unionist Western Maryland , Washington County is solidly Republican. The last Democrat to carry Washington County at a Presidential level was Lyndon Johnson during his 1964 landslide win over Barry Goldwater , although between 1888 and 1940

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946-432: The following were the major employers in the county (excluding post offices , state government, and local governments, but including public institutions of higher education ): Washington County is top in the state for commercial production of fruits , tree nuts , and berries . Washington County Public Schools administers public schools in the county. See Washington County Public Schools – School Directory for

989-527: The median income for a household in the county was $ 40,617, and the median income for a family was $ 48,962. Males had a median income of $ 34,917 versus $ 24,524 for females. The per capita income for the county was $ 20,062. About 7.00% of families and 9.50% of the population were below the poverty line, including 12.30% of those under age 18 and 9.50% of those age 65 or over. According to the Maryland Department of Business and Economic Development ,

1032-468: The mid-1860s the B&;O Railroad began acquiring a right-of-way and by the early 1870s a branch line extended from Weverton to Hagerstown with a busy Keedysville depot as the mid-way point. The railroad brought a much needed prosperity following the dark days of the civil war. In 1872 Keedysville was officially chartered as a municipality. Keedysville was home to numerous businesses through the first half of

1075-821: The north, Northern Virginia to the south, and the Martinsburg Panhandle of West Virginia to the south and west. Washington County is included in the Hagerstown- Martinsburg , MD- WV Metropolitan Statistical Area , which is also included in the Washington - Baltimore - Arlington , DC-MD- VA -WV- PA Combined Statistical Area . The western portions of the Province of Maryland (including present Washington County) were incorporated into Prince George's County in 1696. This original county included six current counties. The first to be created

1118-578: The old route of MD 34 along Main Street. As of the census of 2010, there were 1,152 people, 391 households, and 319 families living in the town. The population density was 1,252.2 inhabitants per square mile (483.5/km). There were 407 housing units at an average density of 442.4 units per square mile (170.8 units/km). The racial makeup of the town was 94.5% White , 3.5% African American , 0.2% Asian , 0.8% from other races , and 1.0% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.9% of

1161-479: The passages not open to the public. The lake is a small pool fed by water dripping from the ceiling. In wet seasons the water accumulates at a rate necessitating periodic bailing. The passages not open to the public are similar to those already described except they are constricted at many points. Orange-brown clay that covers the floor and lower walls of these passages is often overlain by calcareous formations. The commercial tour route covers approximately one third of

1204-485: The population were Hispanic or Latino of any race, 32.1% identified as being of German ancestry, 21.4% American, 8.8% Irish, and 8.4% English ancestry. There were 49,726 households, out of which 31.30% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 54.00% were married couples living together, 10.70% had a female householder with no husband present, and 31.40% were non-families. 26.00% of all households were made up of individuals, and 11.10% had someone living alone who

1247-438: The population. There were 391 households, of which 41.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 71.4% were married couples living together, 7.9% had a female householder with no husband present, 2.3% had a male householder with no wife present, and 18.4% were non-families. 14.1% of all households were made up of individuals, and 4.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size

1290-447: The population. In terms of ancestry, 31.7% were German , 14.1% were Irish , 9.8% were English , 8.5% were American , and 5.1% were Italian . Of the 55,687 households, 32.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 50.6% were married couples living together, 12.0% had a female householder with no husband present, 32.6% were non-families, and 26.6% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size

1333-403: The town was $ 19,911. None of the families and 1.3% of the population were living below the poverty line , including no under eighteens and 8.8% of those over 64. The novelist Nora Roberts was living in Keedysville in 1979 when she started writing. Washington County, Maryland Washington County is a county located in the U.S. state of Maryland . The population was 154,705 as of

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1376-429: The town were planned by the turn of the century and the population which had previously hovered around 400 for many years, suddenly swelled to more than double that number in a single decade. An alternate history credits Jacob Hess as the first settler, who then builds a mill forming the nucleus for the town. As shown above, settlement began in the 1730s. Jacob Hess did not arrive in the area until approximately 1760 with

1419-588: The town. Baltimore & Ohio Railroad Bridge, Antietam Creek , Baker Farm , Doub Farm , Geeting Farm , Hills, Dales and The Vinyard , Hitt's Mill and Houses , Hoffman Farm , Keedysville Historic District , and Nicodemus Mill Complex are listed on the National Register of Historic Places . According to the United States Census Bureau , the town has a total area of 0.92 square miles (2.38 km), all land. Keedysville

1462-443: The town. The population density was 565.7 inhabitants per square mile (218.4/km). There were 188 housing units at an average density of 220.6 units per square mile (85.2 units/km). The racial makeup of the town was 98.96% White , 0.21% African American , 0.21% Asian , and 0.62% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.24% of the population. There were 172 households, out of which 41.3% had children under

1505-558: The years immediately following Jacob Hess's death the Sharpsburg to Boonsboro Turnpike was constructed (about 1820), which became Keedysville's main street. Due to its location exactly half-way between Boonsboro and Sharpsburg the town became known as Centerville. The town's name officially became Keedysville when the first post office was established due to the existence of another Centerville, Maryland in Queen Anne's County. In

1548-647: Was Frederick , separated from Prince George's County in 1748. Following independence , the sovereign State of Maryland formed Washington County on September 6, 1776, by the division of Frederick County . At the same time, a portion of Frederick County became part of the newly created Montgomery County along with portions from Prince George's County and Charles' County, and was named for General Richard Montgomery . Washington County as created included land later to become Allegany County (created in 1789) and Garrett County (included in Allegany County when it

1591-489: Was 2.50 and the average family size was 3.01. The median age was 39.7 years. The median income for a household in the county was $ 52,994 and the median income for a family was $ 65,811. Males had a median income of $ 47,622 versus $ 34,225 for females. The per capita income for the county was $ 26,588. About 7.7% of families and 10.4% of the population were below the poverty line , including 14.1% of those under age 18 and 8.8% of those age 65 or over. The Census Bureau recognizes

1634-428: Was 2.95 and the average family size was 3.24. The median age in the town was 37.2 years. 28.2% of residents were under the age of 18; 6.6% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 28.2% were from 25 to 44; 28.4% were from 45 to 64; and 8.6% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the town was 50.8% male and 49.2% female. As of the census of 2000, there were 482 people, 172 households, and 131 families living in

1677-444: Was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.46 and the average family size was 2.96. In the county, the population was spread out, with 23.40% under the age of 18, 8.10% from 18 to 24, 31.30% from 25 to 44, 23.00% from 45 to 64, and 14.20% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females, there were 104.50 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 104.00 males. As of

1720-445: Was created in 1789, but separated from Allegany County in 1872). Washington County thus originally included the entire western part of the state. A number of properties in the county are listed on the National Register of Historic Places . According to the U.S. Census Bureau , the county has a total area of 467 square miles (1,210 km ), of which 458 square miles (1,190 km ) is land and 9.6 square miles (25 km ) (2.0%)

1763-543: Was discovered in 1920 and is now the only show-cave in Maryland. The high concentration of caves in this area may be related to increased drainage of groundwater. The water table in this locality is drained by the Little Antietam Creek and its tributaries, and many of these caves can be found in the cliffs and along the broken plateau east of town. The climate in this area is characterized by hot, humid summers and generally mild to cool winters. According to

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1806-440: Was on today's Bell Lane. As more settlers moved into the region a grist mill was built on Little Antietam Creek about 1765 to serve the earliest farmers who were mostly German and Swiss immigrants who'd migrated from Pennsylvania. This mill was bought by Jacob Hess in 1770. Hess owned the mill and most of what would become the town until his death in 1815. During this period the budding community became known as "Hess's Mill." In

1849-545: Was the first tract taken up by a Euromerican within what would eventually become Keedysville. The main road at that time was the Conococheague Road, which branched from the Great Wagon Road just east of Keedysville and led to the farthest reaches of the provence, passing through what would eventually be Keedysville. The house and its exact location are unknown but the starting point for Gordon's Purchase

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