Boonsboro Reflections: Odd Fellows Hall

The Independent Order of Odd Fellows fraternal organization traces back to 17th Century England where the masses endured lawlessness, disease and poverty.  Well-meaning people from different trades and walks of life found it necessary to group together and contribute...

Boonsboro Reflections: John Christian Brining

Two prominent Boonsboro businesses can be traced back to John Christian Brining, Sr., who was born in Wurttemberg, Germany, on August 10, 1810.  During the Brining families’ journey to America in 1817, their vessel was shipwrecked off the coast of Norway and while...

Boonsboro Reflections: Shafer Park

Shafer Park is a lasting tribute to the vision of Boonsboro’s leaders and the generosity and commitment of its citizens. In the 1930’s, Mayor John Hershberger noted that the “homecoming week” (perhaps the precursor to Boonsborough Days) created an “inconvenience and...

Boonsboro Reflections: The Heart of Maryland

David Belasco’s successful and influential career as a theatrical producer and playwright stretched between 1884 and 1930.  A frequent visitor to Boonsboro, he wrote, directed, or produced more than 100 Broadway plays including The Heart of Maryland.  This highly...

Boonsboro Reflections: The Heck Brothers

Boonsboro must have been a chaotic community in September 1862. Robert E. Lee’s Army of Northern Virginia had just invaded the north, occupying Frederick and advancing to take Harper’s Ferry. But George McClellan’s Army of the Potomac pursued him from the east and, on...

Boonsboro Reflections: Boonsboro & World War I

American families sacrificed greatly during the two years (1917-1918) that the United States fought in “The War to End All Wars.”  Of the approximately 4.7 million men and women that served in the regular U.S. forces, National Guard and draft units, over 116,500 were...