FrederickOutdoor Escape Game & Treasure Hunt

From Frontier Settlement to County Seat

Frederick's story begins in the 1720s, when the Monocacy River Valley became a route for fur traders and European settlers. Daniel Dulany the Elder laid out Frederick Town by 1745, intending it to be a market center for the region. The town was named for Frederick Calvert, the sixth Lord Baltimore. In 1748, Frederick County was formed from Prince George's County, and Frederick Town was designated as the county seat. The first courthouse and jail were constructed in 1756. This early courthouse was the site of a significant act of colonial defiance in 1756, when the Frederick County Court ruled that local businesses did not have to comply with the British Parliament's Stamp Act, marking the first official repudiation of the act among the colonies.

A Crossroads of Conflict: The Civil War Era

Frederick’s location, between Pennsylvania and Virginia and less than 20 miles from Harpers Ferry, made it a critical crossroads during the American Civil War. Throughout the conflict, both Union and Confederate armies marched through the city. In September 1862, Confederate troops occupied Frederick during Robert E. Lee's first attempt to invade the North. The city also saw skirmishes, such as the Battle of West Frederick on July 7, 1864, a precursor to the larger Battle of Monocacy two days later. Frederick became a major hospital center in the aftermath of these battles, with many public buildings, including churches, hotels, and schools, converted to care for the wounded. The current Frederick City Hall, built in 1864, served as the third Frederick County Courthouse.

• —Barbara Fritchie House (reconstructed) — This house is a reconstruction of the home of Barbara Fritchie, a Unionist who, according to legend, waved the American flag at Confederate troops marching through Frederick in 1862.
• —Frederick City Hall — Built in 1864 as the third Frederick County Courthouse, this building is a piece of local history where legal figures once practiced.
• —National Museum of Civil War Medicine (exterior) — This museum explores medical challenges and innovations during the Civil War, a period when Frederick itself served as a hospital hub. The exterior is visible from the street.
• —Carroll Creek Park — This urban park features a linear design with water features, bridges, and public art installations. It offers a route through the city.
• —Mount Olivet Cemetery — This cemetery is the final resting place of figures such as Francis Scott Key, who wrote "The Star-Spangled Banner," and Barbara Fritchie. Their graves and other historical markers are located here.
• —Roger B. Taney House (exterior) — This was the home of Roger B. Taney, who served as Chief Justice of the United States Supreme Court and delivered the Dred Scott decision. The exterior is visible from the street.
• —Confederate Monument at Frederick (Memorial Park) — This monument, dedicated in 1916, consists of a bronze statue of a soldier on a stone base, commemorating Confederate soldiers.
• —Frederick County Courthouse — The current courthouse, built in 1982, is the fourth courthouse for Frederick County, continuing a judicial history in the city.

The best times to visit Frederick for warm-weather activities are from early June to early July and from late July to late September, when temperatures are warm. September offers average temperatures ranging from 59°F to 81°F (15°C to 27°C). Fall, especially mid-to-late October, is popular for foliage in the Catoctin Mountains and various festivals. Spring, from March to May, sees gradual warming and is suitable for wildflowers and birdwatching before summer crowds. Avoid visiting in July and August if you dislike muggy conditions, as these months experience the most muggy days. Winters, from December to February, are cold, with average lows dropping to 25°F (-4°C) in January, and snowfall is moderate.

Frederick is accessible by car, with major highways like I-70, I-270, US 15, US 40, and US 340 converging in Frederick County. MARC train service connects Frederick to Baltimore and Washington D.C., with stations in Brunswick, Downtown Frederick, and Point of Rocks. Three international airports—Baltimore/Washington International (BWI), Ronald Reagan Washington National (DCA), and Washington Dulles International (IAD)—are less than an hour's drive away. Downtown Frederick is walkable. Frederick County's public transportation, TransIT, offers free bus services with 10 Connector routes operating within the city and urbanized areas. The main Transit Center is across from the Frederick Visitor Center. Five public garages are available downtown, open 24/7, costing $1 per hour with a $12 weekday maximum and a $5 weekend maximum. Street parking is also available via the ParkMobile app and is free after 6 PM and all day Sunday. The Frederick City Market operates on Sundays from May through November on Market Street, and another Frederick Farmers Market runs on Saturdays from April to November.