Carroll Co Visitors Guide

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History buffs can find plenty to
satisfy their curiosity. Many of our
small towns offer informative walking
tours based on architectural building
style while also providing some
historic information about the site.
(Free brochures are available
through the Visitor Center at
800-272-1933 or on the website
.)
NewWindsor
The Town of New Windsor was laid out
and surveyed in 1797 by Isaac Atlee.
He opened an inn and tavern at the
corner of Main and High Streets. The
town prospered partially thanks to a
military road which supplied the town
with considerable commercial activity.
As in many small towns, the railroad
provided more business activity. In
1863, the town saw over 5,000 Union
Cavalry ride through on their way to
the Battle of Gettysburg. Today, visitors
may view the exteriors of elegant
stately homes at the top of Church
Street formerly called “Quality Hill.”
Various types of architecture may be
seen: Colonial Revival, Classical Revival,
Queen Anne and Bungalow styles.
Sykesville
In 1825, James Sykes purchased the
first of many land parcels, totaling
over 800 acres, and a small English-
style mill village sprang to life. In
the 1830s, the Baltimore and Ohio
Railroad carved through the town,
and Sykesville became a bustling stop.
With a devastating flood in 1868, much
of the early town was washed away.
Residents rebuilt on the north side
of the Patapsco in Carroll County, the
present day location. The self-guided
walking tour brochure takes visitors
down Main Street and beyond, past
well-preserved buildings including
the Queen Anne-style railroad station
built in 1884, the Sykesville Gate House
Museum and the Historic one-
room Colored Schoolhouse.
Taneytown
In 1744 John Diggs gave a 60-acre
tract to his son Edward and son-in-
law Raphael Taney. After “growing”
the tract to include 7,900 acres,
Taney laid out lots and named the
future town “Taneytown.”The town
center formed a crossroads from
Baltimore through Westminster to
Taneytown. Well-to-do merchants
and craftsmen built houses that
still stand today. This tour will
introduce you to some history
of the previous owners and the
architectural styles of several eras.
Union Bridge
Growth in this quaint town was
fueled by the arrival of the Western
Maryland Railroad in 1861. William
and Ann Farquhar settled here
in 1735 when William’s father
granted him 200 acres. Many
of the settlers were Quakers.
William’s grandson named the
town “Union Bridge”when local
area citizens banded together to
build a bridge over a local swamp.
The National Park Service has
recognized Union Bridge for its
wealth of historic buildings. Many
of the buildings are listed on the
National Register of Historic Places.
40
min
Corbit’s Charge,Westminster
A walking tour tracing the Civil War skirmish between
General J.E.B. Stuart and a small unit of the Delaware
cavalry. This encounter slowed Stuart’s march to
Gettysburg delaying his report to General Robert E.
Lee about the major Union troop movements.
40
min
Courthouse Square,Westminster
Visit the exteriors of 10 sites including the
historic jail, court house and church.
1hr
Ghost Walk, Westminster
A “spirited”self-guided walking tour of Westminster.
Enjoy a light-hearted look at ghosts and goblins while
viewing many architecturally interesting buildings and
sites. This tour is especially fun if taken at dusk.
1hr
Uniontown, a Carroll County Gem
Visit 18 sites in this historic, quaint village...a townscape
virtually unchanged from the turn of the century.
1hr
Westward Expansion, Westminster
Visit the exteriors of 31 sites. Stroll along Main Street
while visiting many businesses with 19th Century
architecture. View private residences built by affluent
Carroll County businessmen during the 1800’s.
Self-guided
Walking Tours
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