Walkersville Town History

The Town of Walkersville began as two separate villages, Georgetown and Walkersville. The villages were located on late 18th century farm-to-market roads. The village of Georgetown began as a collection of homes along Pennsylvania Avenue while the village of Walkersville was formed along Frederick Street. Each village enjoyed a consistent, yet gradual, increase in population up to the Civil War period. However, the arrival of the Frederick and Pennsylvania Railroad in 1872 brought a new prosperity to the villages. In 1887, the former postmaster of Frederick described Walkersville as having "more building enterprise than any other village in the county, and some of the finest residences in the county… Some of the best society in the county is found in this beautiful glade section, rightly termed the garden spot of Frederick County."

Walkersville received its charter as an incorporated town in 1892. By this time the Town had several grocery stores, blacksmiths, harness shops, a tin roofing shop, warehouses and other shops to provide all the necessities to residents and surrounding farmers. Most of these were concentrated around the original crossroads of Georgetown and Walkersville villages and along the railroad. By the early 20th century Walkersville experienced further economic changes with the addition of an industrial center that included a cannery, an ice factory, a bakery and clothing factory.

From 1830, when the original villages were founded, to the early 20th century Walkersville changed from a rural farmers' supply point to a vibrant town of fine houses, several churches and a public school. Walkersville still boasts fine historic homes that include simple log structures as well as popular Queen Anne and Gothic Revival styles. In addition, five historic church buildings, four still in religious use, remain in Town. These historic structures have been included in a survey district containing 284 buildings of which 80% contribute to the historic significance of the Town. Janet Davis, Frederick County Historic Site Surveyor completed the inventory. Ms. Davis' report is available at the Frederick County Planning Office and the Maryland Historic Trust Office.

  Walkersville History Site Survey
  Walkersville Villages