Long Road to Emancipation | Civil War Trails
Former site of the Frederick County Courthouse
In the fall of 1864, the Frederick County courthouse square hosted speeches in support of a new Maryland constitution outlawing slavery in the state. On October 12-13, 1864, the courthouse hosted the city's polling place as Maryland voters decided on whether or not to support the constitution. The City of Frederick voted in favor of emancipation and the statewide referendum succeeded. Slavery was outlawed in the state on November 1, 1864.
