Taneytown (TAW-nee-town) is a city in Carroll County, Maryland, United States. The population was 5,128 at the 2000 census. Taneytown was founded in 1754. Of the town George Washington once wrote "Tan-nee town is but a small place with only the Street through  the road passes, built on.

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Taneytown Historic District
U.S. National Register of Historic Places
U.S. Historic District
Taneytown Historic District is located in Maryland
Location:     MD 140 and 194, Taneytown, Maryland
Coordinates:     39°39′30″N 77°10′26″W / 39.65833°N 77.17389°W / 39.65833; -77.17389
Built/Founded:     1762
Architect:     Eckenrode,T.H.; Et al.
Architectural style(s):     Bungalow/Craftsman, Late Victorian, Foursquare;Log cabin style
Governing body:     Local
Added to NRHP:     October 09, 1986
NRHP Reference#:     86002850


Taneytown Historic District is a national historic district at Taneytown, Carroll County, Maryland, United States. The district comprises a cohesive group of houses, churches, commercial buildings and industrial structures reflecting the development of this crossroads town from its initial platting in 1762 through the early 20th century.

It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1986.

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Carroll County, Maryland

Seal of Carroll County, Maryland
Map
Map of Maryland highlighting Carroll County
Location in the state of Maryland
Map of the U.S. highlighting Maryland
Maryland's location in the U.S.
Statistics
Founded     1837
Seat     Westminster
Largest CDP     Eldersburg
Area
- Total
- Land
- Water    
452 sq mi (1,171 km²)
449 sq mi (1,163 km²)
3 sq mi (8 km²), 0.72%
Population
- (2000)
- Density    
150,897
337/sq mi (130/km²)
Website: www.carr.org

Carroll County is a county located in the U.S. state of Maryland. In 2000, its population was 150,897. It was named for Charles Carroll of Carrollton (1737-1832), signer of the American Declaration of Independence. Its county seat is Westminster.

This county is a part of the Baltimore-Washington Metropolitan Area. While predominantly rural, the county has become increasingly suburban in recent years.

History

Carroll County was created in 1837 from parts of Baltimore and Frederick Counties.

During the American Civil War, the population of Carroll County was sharply divided between supporters of the Union and the Confederacy. In 1863, there were significant troop movements through the county as part of the Gettysburg campaign. On June 29, 1863, the cavalry skirmish known as Corbit's Charge was fought in the streets of Westminster, when two companies of Delaware cavalry attacked a much larger Confederate force under General J.E.B. Stuart.

Notable citizens of Carroll County include:

* Francis Scott Key, author of the Star Spangled Banner, was born at his family plantation of Terra Rubra, in what is now northwestern Carroll County.
* Whittaker Chambers, former communist and accuser of Alger Hiss

The county has a number of properties on the National Register of Historic Places.

Law and government

Carroll County is governed by three county commissioners, the traditional form of county government in Maryland.

Several times in the past, Carroll County voters have rejected charter amendments that would call for a government consisting of a County Executive and a County Council.

In 2004 Carroll County voters approved legislation that will expand the number of County Commissioners from three to five. The five Commissioners will be elected from five Commissioner districts, as opposed to three Commissioners elected at-large. This change will occur beginning with the 2010 elections. The change was to take effect beginning with the 2006 elections, but the Maryland General Assembly could not agree on the districts.

The incoming commissioners are:

* Julia Walsh Gouge, President of the Commission, former mayor of Hampstead
* Dean L. Minnich, from Westminster
* Michael Zimmer, a Mount Airy Lawyer

Republicans hold every county-wide elected office.

The current elected Sheriff is Kenneth L. Tregoning.

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 452 square miles (1,172 km²), of which, 449 square miles (1,163 km²) of it is land and 3 square miles (8 km²) of it (0.72%) is water.

Carroll County is bordered on the north by the Mason-Dixon Line. The Patapsco River forms its southern border, and Liberty Reservoir forms part of its eastern border. Carroll County is bordered on the west by the Monocacy River and Sam's Creek. Other major streams include Big Pipe Creek, Little Pipe Creek, Bear Branch, and the headwaters of the Gunpowder River. The Piney Run Reservoir is in the southern part of the county.

The terrain consists of largely of rolling piedmont hills. The most significant of these is Parrs Ridge, which bisects the county from southwest to northeast. The highest point is in the northeastern part of the county on Dug Hill along Deep Run Road.

There are three railroad lines that transit Carroll County. The old Baltimore and Ohio (B&O) Old Main Line crosses the southern part of the county, with former stations in Sykesville and Mount Airy. The original Western Maryland Railway (WM) main line track goes through Carrollton, Westminster, New Windsor, and Union Bridge. The old Baltimore and Hanover Railroad (later acquired by WM) goes through Hampstead, Millers, and Lineboro. Two of the three railroad lines are currently operated by CSX Transportation, with the former WM main line being operated by Maryland Midland Railway.