FREDERICK COUNTY
County Offices
12 E. Church Street
Frederick 301-694-9000
https://www.frederickcountymd.gov
Chamber of Commerce
43A S. Market Street
Frederick 301-662-4164
https://www.frederickchamber.org
Frederick County, located in the western section of Central Maryland, is one of the most picturesque areas of the state. This was once rugged frontier country and the colonial farms the early settlers established are still thriving today. Although there has been considerable new development and road expansion, Frederick County remains primarily rural with large areas of unspoiled woodlands, forests, orchards, farms and fields. Over one-third of Maryland’s parkland is located within this western sector.
Frederick County is intersected by Interstate 70, which runs from Baltimore to Los Angeles, and Interstate 270 that connects Frederick County to Washington, DC. This outstanding highway network has been one of the reasons for the county’s steady commercial and industrial growth. Once home to many prosperous flour mills as well as a thriving bootleg industry, Frederick County’s current development has attracted many Washington, DC employees to open space and a slower pace of life.
Services
In spite of the area’s country flavor and rural charm, Frederick County offers excellent services and an impressive quality of life. Frederick Memorial Hospital anchors the healthcare facilities and services for the area, serving as a vertically integrated healthcare delivery system. FMH operates from 11 sites in Frederick County that include an acute-care hospital. Other facilities are the sub-acute transitional care unit, the Glade Valley Nursing & Rehabilitation Center, a skilled nursing facility jointly owned by FMH and the Adventist Health System.
Education is a high priority throughout the county, evidenced by the quality of area schools and the commitment to academic excellence. Traditional education programs are supplemented by special education classes, alternative studies and career and technology centers. Mount St. Mary’s College, Hood College and Frederick Community College provide opportunities for continuing education to residents of the area as well as affordable higher education choices to graduating seniors and students of all ages.
Quality of Life
Distinguished as Maryland’s largest county, Frederick County encompasses four national parks and two mountain ranges in its borders for a kaleidoscope of outdoor adventures and recreation. The Catoctin Mountain National Park contains land that was originally planned for recreational camps for federal employees, one of which became the home of the presidential retreat we know today as Camp David. The eastern hardwood forest of Catoctin Mountain Park is open to the public for camping, picnicking, fishing, miles of hiking trails and scenic mountain vistas. Other activities that are common pastimes in this area include boating and water sports, snowmobiling and winter sports, and horseback riding. The Maryland Appalachian Trail Club sponsors full and half-day hiking trips all year round.
Annual events and celebrations bring together friends, family, and neighbors to enjoy good food and live entertainment. Each May the Frederick Craft Fair showcases hundreds of designers, craftsmen and jazz musicians. Battlefield re-enactments are portrayed at the annual Military Field Days at Fort Frederick, along with cannon firings and demonstrations of military tactics. The Greater Frederick Fair features country-western entertainment, a tractor pull and a demolition derby.
Many of the homes in Frederick County command breathtaking mountain views and panoramic surroundings. Newcomers will discover a good selection of well-kept older homes in established neighborhoods as well as new construction in vibrant new developments that have sprung up over the past two decades. Historic landmarks and covered bridges can be found throughout the county, adding to the rural charm. Local communities have carefully preserved the small-town characteristics and country atmosphere that made this region so appealing to them. Although decidedly rural in flavor, Frederick County offers residents every progressive advantage and amenity. Excellent shopping opportunities range from modern malls to quaint boutiques and country stores. Bargain hunters will appreciate the number of factory outlets in the area. Those who are looking for the “best of all worlds” will want to consider Frederick County.
Frederick City
City Hall
301-694-1380
https://www.cityoffrederickmd.gov/
Chamber of Commerce
301-662-4164
https://www.frederickchamber.org
This “All American” city is popular with people who work in Washington but want to live in a slower-paced environment. This comfortable small community offers an ideal balance of historic charm and modern construction. Throughout the year the city hosts many cultural events such as craft shows, plays, musical performances and art exhibits. Recreation areas are close by and have facilities for hang-gliding, tobogganing and trout fishing. The Frederick City Cooperative Wildlife Management Area is an especially rich local resource popular with small-game hunters, anglers and nature enthusiasts. In addition to beautifully restored townhomes and stately mansions, the community is home to abundant new construction with traditional, colonial, ranch and split-level style homes.
Middletown
City Hall
301-371-6171
https://www.middletown.md.us
Chamber of Commerce
301-662-4164
https://www.frederickchamber.org
Middletown is situated in a fertile valley between the Catoctin and Blue Ridge Mountains. While basically an agricultural community, many residential developments blend with farmland for a picturesque, open flavor. Today’s quaint main street offers a colorful and bustling market center that blends lovely established homes, shops and services. This area continues to develop while preserving its rural roots, balancing small-town charm with progressive growth. From the stately Victorian homes and old-fashioned church steeples to rustic dairy farms and modern housing developments, Middletown is a home where residents can relax and enjoy a rich quality of life.
Mount Airy
Town Hall
301-829-1424
https://www.mountairymd.org
Chamber of Commerce
301-662-4164
https://www.frederickchamber.org
Ideally located just five minutes from Interstate 70 between the well-developed urban centers of Baltimore and Frederick. In fact, Mount Airy is nearly evenly divided between Carroll and Frederick counties. The community has seen dramatic growth within the last three decades, with yesterday’s empty fields now covered by residential development, shopping centers, restaurants, and a growing number of recreational amenities. At the same time, Mount Airy offers a warm and friend hometown atmosphere where local events sponsored by schools, clubs, and organizations bring neighbors and friends together around the four seasons. Craft shows, dinners, dances, free concerts in the park, and colorful festivals are just a few of the popular events. Residents enjoy hiking, biking, fishing, tennis, competitive sports, ice skating, horseback riding, picnicking, skate-boarding, and relaxing in nature’s beauty.
New Market
City Hall
301-865-5544
https://www.townofnewmarket.org
Chamber of Commerce
301-662-4164
https://www.frederickchamber.org
Founded in 1788, New Market is considered to be the “antiques capital of Maryland.” Because of its national reputation, the community welcomes the casual browser who is looking for diversion in a charming small town as well as the serious collector. More than 20 antique shops can be found along the town’s picturesque main street, interspersed with wonderful cafes and restaurants. Because of its location on the nation’s first main road, the Old National Pike, many inns, taverns and hostels were also constructed in New Market. Each September, the town attracts visitors to New Market Days, an annual festival that includes Civil War re-enactments.
Walkersville
City Hall
301-845-4500
https://walkersvillemd.gov/
Chamber of Commerce
301-662-4164
https://www.frederickchamber.org
Known as Frederick County’s “second city,” the community of Walkersville is actually an open valley located just six miles north of Frederick City. Walkersville was called “The Glade” by early settlers for its beautiful terrain. The town was incorporated in 1892 and experienced rapid growth over the next century. The population grew by 85 percent in those decades. Although the primary economic activity in this rural area remains farming, Walkersville is a primarily residential haven. Several small shopping areas and limited industrial development in the fields of bio-medical research and animal feed products have opened the door for local employment opportunities and added daily conveniences.
