As we approached Boonsboro, Maryland on the trek to Washington, we kept seeing signs for the Washington Monument. It obviously couldn’t be THE Washington Monument so I was a little confused.

That’s when my friend told me the story of this monument and what it means to the small community in rural Washington County.

This is the first monument dedicated to George Washington and has a heartwarming story of community spirit.

The people of Boonsboro gathered in the town square on the morning of July 4, 1827. Together they marched up South Mountain and built a fifteen feet tall dry-laid stone tower. Later in the year, workman came back and completed the tower to the height of thirty feet.

It was in a state of disrepair years later when it was used as a signal station by the Union Army during the Civil War. It was then restored by the local Odd Fellows Lodge, later damaged again, and eventually restored by the Civilian ConservationCorps in the thirties.

The area eventually became a state park with a shelter house, restrooms, a vehicle road up the mountain, museum, and access to the Appalachian Trail. The area is incredibly peaceful and is known for birdwatching as well as bears. We saw some birds but not any bears that day.

This Monument and landmark means a lot to the town as is evidenced by all the work done here over the years. This rustic stone tower, while humble, has much heart and patriotic significance as the nation’s first monument to our nation’s first president. I wrote about the other Washington Monument yesterday. Read about it here!

It is not a long hike up the mountain from the parking lot. However, the trail does go up a mountain. I don’t recall it being taxing but it could be if you’re not accustomed to that kind of physical exertion.

Learn more about Washington Monument State Park at their website.