Jefferson, Maryland

Jefferson is an unincorporated community and census-designated place (CDP) in Frederick County, Maryland, United States. As of the 2010 census the town had a population of 2,111 (which includes the widespread area of the town's zip code, not Jefferson proper).[2] Jefferson was established in 1774 and incorporated as a town in 1831. However, a year later, in 1832, the citizens of the town decided that municipal government was unnecessary, and dis-incorporated the town, which has been unincorporated since then.

Jefferson, Maryland
Census-designated place
An 1858 Frederick County detail map of Jefferson from Isaac Bond
Jefferson
Location in Maryland
Jefferson
Jefferson (the United States)
Coordinates: 39°21′43″N 77°31′54″W
Country United States
State Maryland
County Frederick
Area
 • Total2.10 sq mi (5.43 km2)
 • Land2.10 sq mi (5.43 km2)
 • Water0.0 sq mi (0.0 km2)
Elevation
583 ft (178 m)
Population
 (2010)
 • Total2,111
 • Density1,006/sq mi (388.5/km2)
Time zoneUTC−5 (Eastern (EST))
 • Summer (DST)UTC−4 (EDT)
ZIP code
21755
Area code(s)301 and 240
FIPS code24-42350
GNIS feature ID0585209[1]

History

According to archaeologist Mary F. Barse, Jefferson was initially laid out in 1774 on a 96-acre (390,000 m2) tract owned by Mrs. Eleanor Medley, which was ultimately called "New Town". It contained 40 rectangular lots – 20 aligned on each side of what is now MD 180 – stretching between what are now Lander Road and Old Middletown Road. In 1795, 22 additional lots were platted by Elias Delashmutt on the western end of the original section, and called "New Freedom". In 1831 both sections were incorporated as "Jefferson" by the Maryland Legislature.[3]

Jefferson's growth in the 19th century was due largely to its location on the main road between Frederick and Harpers Ferry, which is today's U.S. Route 340. Along this thoroughfare, wagon traffic and livestock drives were frequent. Concomitantly, commercial development intensified to serve the surrounding farms as well as travelers.[3] As a center of agricultural mercantilism, throughout most of the late 18th and 19th century, Jefferson was also home to a sizable population of slaves.

The Hagerstown and Frederick Railway linked Jefferson to Frederick and Hagerstown in 1907. However, Maryland Route 180 remained the only link to the closest steam powered rail station in Brunswick.[3]

The center of Jefferson

Examined historic maps (Griffith 1795; Bond 1858; Martenet 1865, 1885; Lake 1873; USGS1910) depict Jefferson on what is now MD 180 as early as 1795. It was designated "Trap Town" at the close of the 18th century by Griffith (1795). Local history suggests that the name derives from the large number of taverns operating at the time, which were purportedly, on either ends of town. Consequently, a traveler could be "trapped" on their way in or out of town.[3]

The Lewis Mill Complex and the George Willard House are National Register of Historic Places properties near Jefferson.

Geography

Jefferson is located in southwestern Frederick County at the western base of Catoctin Mountain. Maryland Route 180 passes through the town, and U.S. Route 340 bypasses it to the south, forming the southern edge of the CDP. US 340 leads northeast 9 miles (14 km) to Frederick, the county seat, and southwest 13 miles (21 km) to Harpers Ferry, West Virginia.

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the Jefferson CDP has an area of 2.1 square miles (5.4 km2), all land.[2]

Mar-Lu-Ridge Summer Camp and Education and Conference Center, located on the crest of Catoctin Mountain, 4 miles (6 km) south of Jefferson, has been a main retreat and outdoor ministry site for the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America since 1959.

References
  1. "Jefferson". Geographic Names Information System. United States Geological Survey.
  2. "Geographic Identifiers: 2010 Census Summary File 1 (G001), Jefferson CDP, Maryland". American FactFinder. U.S. Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved May 31, 2016.
  3. Barse, Mary F. (August 4, 2000). "Memo from Mary F. Barse, MDOT archeologist, concerning the archeological potential of the Streetscape Project". www.jeffersonmd.net. Jefferson Streetscape Task Force.
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