Hagerstown, Maryland

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Geographic Coordinates: 39.640100, -77.721700

Climate: Seasonal.

Population: 194602

Language: English

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Hagerstown, Located in Washington County, Maryland, Is a charming city with a rich history and plenty of attractions for visitors to enjoy. The city’s downtown area is known for its beautiful architecture and historic buildings, Including the 1816 Hager House and the 1915 Maryland Theatre. One of the most popular attractions in Hagerstown is the Hagerstown City Park which covers over 50 acres. It features a lake, Walking trails, Picnic areas, Playgrounds, Tennis courts and more.

Visitors can also explore the Washington County Museum of Fine Arts located within the park that houses an impressive collection of American art from different periods. Another must-visit attraction in Hagerstown is Antietam National Battlefield – one of America’s most significant Civil War sites. The battlefield spans over 3, 200 acres and offers visitors an opportunity to learn about one of America’s deadliest battles that took place on September 17th , 1862. Visitors can take guided tours or explore on their own.

For those interested in shopping or dining out during their visit to Hagerstown; there are plenty of options available. The Premium Outlets at Hagerstown offer shoppers discounted prices on designer brands such as Nike & Adidas while Downtown boasts local boutiques offering unique souvenirs & gifts. Hagerstown also hosts several annual events throughout the year that attract visitors from all around.

Some notable events include Western Maryland Blues Fest held every June featuring live music performances by some renowned blues artists across multiple stages throughout Downtown; Augustoberfest held every August celebrating German heritage with authentic food & drink along with live music performances. Overall, Hagarston has something for everyone whether it be exploring historical sites or enjoying modern-day amenities like shopping centers & restaurants. It’s a perfect destination for those looking to experience small-town charm combined with big-city conveniences making it an ideal spot for travelers seeking variety!

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1. Hagerstown City Park is a large public park featuring a lake, walking trails, picnic areas, and a museum.
2. Antietam National Battlefield is a historic Civil War battlefield that offers guided tours and educational programs.
3. Maryland Theatre is an iconic theater that hosts concerts, plays, and other cultural events throughout the year.
4. Hagerstown Premium Outlets is a popular shopping destination with over 100 stores offering designer brands at discounted prices.
5. Washington County Museum of Fine Arts is an art museum featuring works by American and European artists from the 19th to 21st centuries.
6. Jonathan Hager House & Museum is the oldest house in Hagerstown that serves as both a museum and historic site.
7. Discovery Station at Hagerstown Inc. is an interactive science center for children with exhibits on space exploration, health sciences, physics, robotics etc.
8. The Mansion House Art Center is an art gallery exhibiting local artwork.
9. Railroad Heritage Museum showcases the history of trains in America.
10. Hager House & Cultural Museum showcases life in colonial times through its historic house turned into museum format.

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• The major industries and businesses in Hagerstown, United States include:
1. Manufacturing
2. Healthcare
3. Retail trade
4. Education services
5. Government
• Some of the largest employers in the area are:
1. Meritus Health
2. Volvo Group Trucks Operations North America
3. First Data Corporation
4. FedEx Ground Package System Inc.
5. Washington County Public Schools
• Additionally, Hagerstown is home to several shopping centers and malls that attract visitors from across the region.

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Noteable History

1. The Battle of Antietam: This was one of the bloodiest battles in American history, fought on September 17, 1862, near Sharpsburg (a few miles south of Hagerstown). The battle resulted in over 23,000 casualties and is considered a turning point in the Civil War.
2. Jonathan Hager: He was a German immigrant who founded Hagerstown in 1762 and served as its first mayor. His house still stands as a museum today.
3. Barbara Fritchie: She was a Union sympathizer during the Civil War who famously waved the American flag in defiance of Confederate soldiers passing through town. Her story was immortalized in John Greenleaf Whittier’s poem Barbara Frietchie.
4. William Preston Lane Jr.: He served as governor of Maryland from 1947 to 1951 and oversaw the construction of the Chesapeake Bay Bridge, which greatly improved transportation between eastern and western Maryland.
5. Washington County Free Library: This library system was established in 1898 by Andrew Carnegie’s philanthropic foundation and has since grown to include several branches throughout Washington County.
6. Western Maryland Railway: This railroad company had its headquarters in Hagerstown from 1909 to 1974 and played an important role in transporting goods and people throughout the region.
7. Mary Kinnan Rawlings: She was an author who lived briefly in Hagerstown while her husband worked for the Western Maryland Railway before moving to Florida where she wrote her Pulitzer Prize-winning novel The Yearling.
8. John Brown Gordon: A Confederate general during Civil War who led his troops through town during General Lee’s invasion into Pennsylvania that led up to Gettysburg Campaign.

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Museums and Things To See

1. Washington County Museum of Fine Arts
2. Hagerstown Roundhouse Museum
3. Hagerstown City Park
4. Jonathan Hager House and Museum
5. Antietam National Battlefield
6. Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park
7. Miller House and Garden
8. Mansion House Art Center
9. The Maryland Theatre
10. The Mason-Dixon Line Marker

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Sports Teams

1. Hagerstown Suns – The Hagerstown Suns is a minor league baseball team that has been playing in the city since 1981. They have been affiliated with several Major League Baseball teams over the years, including the Baltimore Orioles and Washington Nationals.
2. Hagerstown Bulldogs – The Hagerstown Bulldogs were a professional football team that played in the city from 1929 to 1930. They were part of the American Professional Football Association (later renamed the National Football League).
3. Hagerstown Braves – The Hagerstown Braves were a minor league baseball team that played in the city from 1915 to 1917 and again from 1924 to 1930.
4. Hagerstown Owls – The Hagerstown Owls were a minor league baseball team that played in the city from 1941 to 1952.
5. Maryland Arrows – The Maryland Arrows was an indoor soccer team that played their home games at the Hagers-Towne Mall Arena during their inaugural season in 1978-79 before moving to Baltimore for their second season.
6. Mason-Dixon Roller Vixens – Founded in January of 2010, Mason-Dixon Roller Vixens is an all-women’s flat track roller derby league based out of Washington County, MD with practices held at Turner’s Skate Palace just outside of town limits on Leitersburg Pike (US-11).

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Cultural Events

• Western Maryland Blues Fest is a three-day music festival that showcases blues musicians from around the country.
• Augustoberfest is a celebration of Hagerstown’s German heritage, which offers food, beer, and live music.
• Hagerstown City Park Fall Fest is a family-friendly event that features craft vendors, food trucks, and entertainment.
• Alsatia Mummers Parade is one of the largest Halloween parades on the East Coast that includes floats, marching bands, and costumed participants.
• Washington County Ag Expo and Fair is an annual agricultural fair that features livestock shows, carnival rides, and agricultural exhibits.
• Maryland Symphony Orchestra Concerts in the Park are free outdoor concerts by the Maryland Symphony Orchestra held in Hagerstown City Park during summer months.
• Festival of Trees is an annual holiday event where local businesses decorate Christmas trees that are auctioned off to raise money for charity.
• Mistletoe Market is a holiday shopping event featuring local artisans and vendors selling handmade crafts and gifts.
• South Mountain Spring Festival features live music performances from various genres along with a car show as well as a bike ride through scenic routes.
• The Hub City BBQ Fest takes place annually in September where teams come together to compete for prizes while attendees get to sample their delicious barbecue creations!

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Cuisine

• Schmankerl Stube Bavarian Restaurant: This restaurant serves authentic German cuisine, including sausages, schnitzel, and spaetzle.
• Bulls & Bears: A gastropub that offers a variety of American classics with a modern twist.
• Rik’s Cafe: A family-owned restaurant that specializes in Mediterranean cuisine such as falafel, hummus, and shawarma.
• The Gourmet Goat: A farm-to-table restaurant that serves healthy and organic dishes made from locally sourced ingredients.
• Benny’s Pub: An Irish pub with a cozy atmosphere that offers traditional pub fare like fish and chips and shepherd’s pie.
• El Ranchero Mexican Restaurant: This family-friendly Mexican restaurant serves classic dishes like tacos, burritos, fajitas, and margaritas.
• King’s New York Pizza & Italian Restaurant: Known for their New York-style pizza as well as Italian favorites like lasagna and chicken parmesan.
• Thai Zap Cuisine: A casual spot serving up authentic Thai flavors with dishes like Pad Thai noodles or spicy green curry chicken or beef.
• The Broad Axe – American Eatery & Pub – known for their burgers which are made from fresh ground meat daily
• Turkish Delight Cafe – Serving Turkish coffee along with traditional Turkish breakfast items such as borek (pastry stuffed with cheese), menemen (Turkish scrambled eggs), simit (Turkish bagels), etc.

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Parks and Recreation

1. Hagerstown City Park is a 50-acre park that boasts a lake, walking trails, picnic areas, playgrounds, and tennis courts.
2. Fairgrounds Park spans across 35 acres and features sports fields, picnic shelters, and a community center.
3. Marty Snook Park is spread over 65 acres of land and has baseball and softball fields, soccer fields, volleyball courts, playgrounds as well as walking trails.
4. The Western Maryland Rail Trail stretches for 22 miles along the Potomac River offering hiking and biking opportunities.
5. Antietam National Battlefield is the site of the bloodiest one-day battle in American history during the Civil War.
6. Chesapeake & Ohio Canal National Historical Park offers hiking trails along the canal towpath with historic sites to explore.
7. Greenbrier State Park provides swimming in the lake as well as boating rentals for kayaks or canoes.
8. Washington County Playhouse Dinner Theater & Children’s Theater provides family-friendly entertainment such as musicals or plays while enjoying dinner at the same time!
9. Hagerstown Ice & Sports Complex is an indoor ice-skating rink that offers public skating sessions or hockey games to watch!

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