When it comes to history, the Old Line State is filled to the brim. From historic locations of bloody battles to the grounds that Maryland was founded on, there is no shortage of past treasures that made Maryland what it is today. If you’re a history buff, these 13 historical landmarks in Maryland are a must-visit.

  1. Washington Monument State Park, Boonsboro

Flickr / Jerry Edmundson Atop of South Mountain you’ll find the Washington Monument. This rustic stone tower was built in 1827 in honor of the memory of George Washington.

Click here for more information about this unique structure.

  1. Fort McHenry, Baltimore

Flickr / Michael Dressler This historic spot played a role in the war of 1812, defending an attack by the British Navy. It was continuously used years after and even inspired the Star Spangled Banner.

You can learn more and plan your visit here.

  1. Antietam National Battlefield, Sharpsburg

Flickr / Jasperdo 23,000 soldiers were killed here during the battle of Antietam. The park includes bloody lane, Dunker Church, and the pictured Burnside Bridge.

Check out the Antietam Battlefield website here.

  1. Point Lookout State Park, Scotland

Flickr / Chesapeake Bay Program You can find Point Lookout State Park at the southern tip of St. Mary’s County. During the Civil War, this camp imprisoned over 50,000 Confederate Soldiers.

Learn more about the history of the park here.

  1. Edgar Allen Poe House & Museum, Baltimore

Yelp / Jacqueline I. This house at 203 Amity Street doesn’t look like much, but it is presumably the place where Edgar Allen Poe penned some of his work. There is also a small museum with a number of antique pieces related to the Poe family.

If you’re interested in learning more, click here.

  1. Casselman Bridge, Grantsville

Flickr / Dan Gray This stone bridge was part of the National Road from 1813 to 1933. Today it stands as tribute to the early history of transportation in Maryland.

Click here for more information.

  1. Fort Frederick, Big Pool

Flickr / Fred Schroeder During the French and Indian War, this place stood as Maryland’s defense. This spot holds artillery firings and 18th century markets for a trip back in time.

Check out the website here.

  1. Maryland State House, Annapolis

Flickr / Jeff Weese Not only is this Maryland’s capital, it is also the oldest state capital in continuous legislative use in America. Dating back to 1772, that’s quite the impressive feat.

Want to learn more? Click here.

  1. St. Mary’s City Historic District

Wikimedia Commons / Pubdog This town was Maryland’s first colonial settlement. You can now visit this restored historic area to learn about colonial times.

Check out the website here.

  1. Fort Washington Park, Fort Washington

Flickr / Ken Lund For several decades this was the only defensive fort protecting Washington D.C. You can now visit the fort and surrounding scenic places.

Click here for more information.

  1. United States Naval Academy, Annapolis

Flickr / Steven Established in 1845, this entire campus is a National Registered Landmark, training our country’s finest in our very own Naptown.

Learn more here.

  1. Chesapeake & Ohio Canal

Flickr / gawnesco Spanning 184 miles long, the C & O Canal operated from 1831 until 1924. Today, it’s a popular spot for jogging and biking.

Check out the website here.

  1. St. Clements Island, Coltons Point

Flickr / WorldIslandInfo.com This uninhabited island on the Potomac River was the landing site of Maryland’s very first colonists. This is quite literally the birthplace of the state.

For information and how to visit, click here.

All lovers of local history should be sure to check out these locations. For without some of these historic spots, Maryland wouldn’t be what it is today.

Flickr / Jerry Edmundson

Atop of South Mountain you’ll find the Washington Monument. This rustic stone tower was built in 1827 in honor of the memory of George Washington.

Click here for more information about this unique structure.

Flickr / Michael Dressler

This historic spot played a role in the war of 1812, defending an attack by the British Navy. It was continuously used years after and even inspired the Star Spangled Banner.

You can learn more and plan your visit here.

Flickr / Jasperdo

23,000 soldiers were killed here during the battle of Antietam. The park includes bloody lane, Dunker Church, and the pictured Burnside Bridge.

Check out the Antietam Battlefield website here.

Flickr / Chesapeake Bay Program

You can find Point Lookout State Park at the southern tip of St. Mary’s County. During the Civil War, this camp imprisoned over 50,000 Confederate Soldiers.

Learn more about the history of the park here.

Yelp / Jacqueline I.

This house at 203 Amity Street doesn’t look like much, but it is presumably the place where Edgar Allen Poe penned some of his work. There is also a small museum with a number of antique pieces related to the Poe family.

If you’re interested in learning more, click here.

Flickr / Dan Gray

This stone bridge was part of the National Road from 1813 to 1933. Today it stands as tribute to the early history of transportation in Maryland.

Click here for more information.

Flickr / Fred Schroeder

During the French and Indian War, this place stood as Maryland’s defense. This spot holds artillery firings and 18th century markets for a trip back in time.

Check out the website here.

Flickr / Jeff Weese

Not only is this Maryland’s capital, it is also the oldest state capital in continuous legislative use in America. Dating back to 1772, that’s quite the impressive feat.

Want to learn more? Click here.

Wikimedia Commons / Pubdog

This town was Maryland’s first colonial settlement. You can now visit this restored historic area to learn about colonial times.

Check out the website here.

Flickr / Ken Lund

For several decades this was the only defensive fort protecting Washington D.C. You can now visit the fort and surrounding scenic places.

Click here for more information.

Flickr / Steven

Established in 1845, this entire campus is a National Registered Landmark, training our country’s finest in our very own Naptown.

Learn more here.

Flickr / gawnesco

Spanning 184 miles long, the C & O Canal operated from 1831 until 1924. Today, it’s a popular spot for jogging and biking.

Check out the website here.

Flickr / WorldIslandInfo.com

This uninhabited island on the Potomac River was the landing site of Maryland’s very first colonists. This is quite literally the birthplace of the state.

For information and how to visit, click here.

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