WASHINGTON COUNTY, MD
County Offices
100 W. Washington Street
Hagerstown MD 301-791-3090
www.washco-md.net
Chamber of Commerce
28 W Washington Street
Hagerstown MD 301-739-2015
http://hagerstown.org
A rural haven of rolling hills and cultivated valleys beneath the panoramic Appalachian Highlands, Washington County is ideally located near the boundaries of Pennsylvania, Virginia and West Virginia. Those who desire to escape the fast pace of major urban centers can discover the relaxed lifestyle and friendliness of small-town living surrounded by unparalleled natural beauty and scenic parkland.
Serving as the county seat, Hagerstown is by far the most highly developed of the population centers. Boonsboro, Williamsport and Hancock are all home to approximately 2,000 residents – twice the number of people that have settled in the “antique capital” of Funkstown. The remaining incorporated municipalities in Washington County claim only a few hundred residents each.
Economy and Transportation
Boasting a diverse economy, a quality workforce and local governments that support private industry, Washington County is a place where both large corporations and small family businesses can grow and prosper. In addition to designated Enterprise Zones, the county operates its own regional airport and is home to nearly 20 trucking companies and several of the largest railroads east of the Mississippi.
Local companies enjoy a business address within a day’s reach of one-third of the nation’s population and half of all retail trade via interstate highways. The county provides daily flights to two major hubs: The Baltimore-Washington International Airport in Maryland and the Greater Pittsburgh International Airport in Pennsylvania. Unlike many rural environments, the county offers efficient public bus transportation facilities like the County Commuter.
Education and Healthcare
In step with Maryland’s legacy of educational excellence, Washington County schools offer a strong core curriculum, extensive vocational training, special education, programs for the talented and gifted, and high technology career centers that provide outstanding opportunities for adults. Home of Hagerstown Junior College and a center for Frostburg State University, Hagerstown serves as the center of higher education for the county
Quality health care is available from a variety of professionals at well-equipped medical facilities, crowned by the Washington County Hospital. This exceptional institution services a four-state region with acute care and specialized services that include oncology, cardiac rehabilitation, acute dialysis, pulmonary care, nuclear medicine, poison control, community health education and a Regional Trauma Center.
Lifestyle
Blending the appeal of an unspoiled countryside with rich historical and cultural amenities, Washington County offers a variety of leisure activities and attractions. At Sharpsburg you’ll discover the Antietam Battlefield, site of the Civil War’s bloodiest one-day clash. Among the many museums and monuments to the past is the only pre-Revolutionary fort still standing in America at Fort Frederick State Park.
Nationally known entertainers and local production companies perform regularly in the meticulously restored Maryland Theatre in Hagerstown – a magnificent venue that serves as a cultural attraction in its own right. This rare 1915 neoclassical treasure hosts the Maryland Symphony, along with children’s programming, popular plays and the Miss Maryland Pageant.
A total of ten scenic state parks are either located in Washington County or within an hour’s drive from home, ensuring virtually unlimited opportunities for outdoor sport and relaxation. The Potomac River and placid mountain lakes are popular sites for water sports, fishing and boating; while hikers, equestrians and bicycle enthusiasts prefer miles of groomed paths along the Appalachian Trail or the C & O Canal towpath.
From the vast array of goods and services available in the local shopping centers to the home-grown delights displayed at roadside stands or the farmer’s market, local businesses find it easy to meet consumer needs. The Valley Mall and factory outlet stores draw shoppers from a three-state region, while convenient neighborhood stores specialize in homespun friendliness and service.
Housing options range from beautiful older homes in quiet, long-established neighborhoods to the newer construction that dots the countryside and graces the outskirts of growing towns. Plenty of open space, reasonable housing costs and a pristine rural environment have all contributed to a booming construction business. Nevertheless, newcomers will discover in Washington County a rural paradise of small-town spirit, welcoming neighbors and natural charm.
Hagerstown
City Offices
301-739-8577
Chamber of Commerce
301-739-2015
www.hagerstown.org
Centrally located just 65 miles from Baltimore and Washington, DC, the City of Hagerstown serves as the county seat as well as the region’s educational, cultural and business center. Home to 34,633 residents, the city offers an outstanding selection of elegant architecture and stately homes along tree-lined streets. Entire neighborhoods are listed on the National Historic Register. Lively and colorful, Hagerstown demonstrates an appreciation for the arts at every turn, including uplifting TGIF concerts at lunchtime. On Saturday morning, the area bustles with the Farmer’s Market, offering the finest of fresh fruit and produce since the 1700s. Complementing the outstanding public school system is a local network of institutions of higher education, including Hagerstown Junior College with its Advanced Technology and Technical Innovation Centers, Hagerstown Business College, and a center for Frostburg State University.
Boonsboro
Town Offices
301-432-5141
www.boonsboromd.govoffice2.com
Chamber of Commerce
301-739-2015
www.hagerstown.org
Characterized as a small, countryside town, Boonsboro is situated along the main road that leads from Hagerstown to Frederick. The town’s 2,426 residents can enjoy the tranquility of rural life within a close-knit community of familiar and friendly faces. Porch swings, window boxes and flower beds punctuate the well-kept yards of beautiful older homes. In addition to the neighborhood shopkeepers who provide convenient goods and services, Boonsboro has earned a reputation as an excellent place to browse for antiques and collectibles. Just minutes from home, Hagerstown provides a complement of urban amenities from professional theatre and musical concerts to colleges and a state university center. However, during the annual Boonsboro Days celebration, even Hagerstown residents make the short trip south to enjoy the explosion of food, fun and entertainment.
