Civil War Road Trip
Frederick played a crucial part in the Civil War. Learn some of the lesser-known stories as you explore battlefields, museums, and historic sites. The map below offers the county's major highlights. For a deeper dive into the area's rich Civil War history, follow Frederick's Civil War Trails or contact the Heart of the Civil War Heritage Area.
A visit to Frederick is a great compliment to a trip to Gettysburg National Military Park, Antietam National Battlefield, and Harpers Ferry National Historical Park.
Historic Meals in Civil War-era buildings
Historical Information
Frederick has played a role in many historical events, but perhaps none more important than the Civil War. Located along the Mason-Dixon Line, Frederick County was the site of two crucial events during the conflict: the Battle of South Mountain and the Battle of Monocacy.
Parts of the county were alternately occupied by troops from both the union and confederate sides in the days before the nearby battles of Antietam and Gettysburg. In the days after these battles, Frederick became a major hospital center. Many of Downtown Frederick's historic churches were used as a place to heal the wounded and are still standing today.
