8 Bizarrely Named Towns In Maryland
Maryland is not the smallest state in the United States (that distinction belongs to Rhode Island) but is among the top ten smallest states. It comprises about 12,407 square miles and has a geography so diverse that it is affectionately known as 鈥淎merica in Miniature.鈥� Maryland鈥檚 bizarrely named towns draw inspiration from a mix of historical events, local legends, early settlers, and natural features. Even the state鈥檚 nickname, The Old Line State, is believed to have originated during the American Revolutionary War, honoring the Maryland Line troops. From colonial land grants like Chevy Chase to French influences in Crapo and quirky mistakes such as Accident, these names reflect the state鈥檚 rich and varied history.
Chevy Chase
A stone鈥檚 thrown away from Bethesda and downtown Washington, D.C., the town of Chevy Chase is not named after the comedic actor best known for his portrayal as bumbling family man Clark Griswold in National Lampoon鈥檚 Christmas Vacation. Its name comes from a tract of land parceled to Colonel Joseph Belt from Lord Baltimore (the 2nd Baron Baltimore who founded Maryland) on Jul 10, 1725. While the town of Chevy Chase is primarily residential, its proximity to an upscale shopping district called The Shops at Wisconsin Heights in the Friendship Heights district makes it a top destination for prominent Washingtonians and politicians.
For nature lovers, a historic Georgian Revival-style Woodend mansion on 40 acres of property was donated to the Audubon Naturalist Society in 1969 as a nature preserve. Today, the sanctuary is known as Woodend Nature Sanctuary. It is a peaceful oasis with walking trails, wildflower meadows, and native plants, where visitors to Capitol Hill, the National Zoo, and the Smithsonian Museum can retreat.
Crapo
Crapo is a small community of about 140 residents in the scenic marshlands of Dorchester County on the banks of the Honga River. Its name comes from 鈥渃rapaud,鈥� which is the French word for toad. There are not a lot of activities in Crapo, but the nearby Chesapeake town of historic Cambridge is one of the oldest colonial cities in the state. For history lovers, Dorchester County was the birthplace of Harriet Tubman on March 22, 1822, making the month of March Harriet Tubman Month with plenty of activities at the Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad National Historical Park, the new visitor center, and the Harriet Tubman Museum and Education Center. Live the ultimate Harriet Tubman experience at more than 30 historically significant sites along the Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad Byway. The self-guided tour starts in Cambridge, continues for 125 miles through Delaware, and ends in Philadelphia, where Tubman found freedom.
Secretary
Secretary is in Dorchester County and has a population of about 500 residents. According to the town鈥檚 archives, the 2nd Lord Baltimore named it after Henry Sewall, the Secretary of Maryland from 1661-1665. The Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge is about 20 miles away for nature enthusiasts, bird lovers, and photographers. Founded in 1933, the refuge is a sanctuary for birds migrating along the Atlantic Flyway. There are 5 miles of hiking trails and 17 miles of paddling routes, plus a 3.6-mile Wildlife Drive where visitors can see formerly endangered Delmarva peninsula fox squirrels and the largest breeding population of American bald eagles on the east coast, north of Florida.
Flintstone
Flintstone is a remote town in Allegany County, about a mile south of the Mason-Dixon Line, the Maryland鈥�Pennsylvania border. Its name likely comes from the abundant flint rock in the nearby hills. The town has historical significance as a location where Indigenous peoples and early settlers crafted tools and weapons from flint. There鈥檚 a cool sign in town that attracts Instagrammers and fans of the classic 1960s cartoon The Flintstones.
Most visitors pass through Flintstone en route to Rocky Gap State Park, a 3,000-acre park sitting in a rugged mountain gap, which features the stunning Lake Habeeb, rumored to have the bluest water in the state. The park has various hiking trails, including the 5.3-mile Lakeside Loop Trail that encircles the lake and the challenging 5-mile Evitts Homesite Trail that climbs 1,000 feet in elevation in 2.5 miles. There are onsite camping options like campsites, yurts, mini cabins, canoe, kayak, and stand-up paddleboard rentals. Finally, check out the nearby Rocky Gap Casino, Resort, and Golf Club for a more upscale stay.
Accident
Accident is a charming small town in Garrett County whose name resulted from a mistake made by two corps of engineers who surveyed the same tract of land. It was patented as 鈥淭he Accident Tract鈥� and given to Revolutionary War soldiers as payment for services during the 1775-1783 war. For a historical look at early pioneer life in rural western Maryland, visit the Drane House, a log house built in 1798. The nearby 3,900-acre freshwater Deek Creek Lake is a hub of recreational activities, including boating, fishing, kayaking, and water sports. The Deer Creek State Park adjoins the lake and encompasses over 1,800 acres with 20 miles of hiking and biking trails, a 100+ site campground, and a large Discovery Center. The Youghiogheny Wild River Natural Environmental Area is also part of the park, with a 21-mile segment designated as Maryland鈥檚 first Wild River.
Funkstown
Funkstown is a small community in western Maryland that sits along the lazy Antietam Creek. Named for its founder, Jacob Funk, the town was established in 1767 and still embraces its Civil War past with its annual Battle of Funkstown, complete with weekend reenactments, a period fashion show, a tea party, and fireworks. The Funkstown Historic District has several noteworthy Civil War-era homes, like the historic Keller House, built around 1860. Today, the stunning brick building is a pretty bed & breakfast but was used as a field hospital for the retreating Confederate soldiers after the defeat at Gettysburg during the original Battle of Funkstown on July 10, 1863. For history buffs, the Antietam National Battlefield, during which 23,000 soldiers were killed, wounded, or missing on September 17, 1862, is about 20 minutes south of town.
Ladiesburg
Ladiesburg is a small rural town in Frederick County surrounded by rolling hills and farmland. Local legend has it that the town鈥檚 name came from its first eight residents, according to the 1810 Census, which included seven women and one man. A train station used to roll through town, but today, the station is long gone, and the only business in town is Ladiesburg Lumber and Supply. Visitors to Ladiesburg don鈥檛 need to travel far for supplies other than lumber, as the city of Frederick is only fifteen miles away.
In downtown Frederick, there鈥檚 no shortage of unique shops, art galleries, restaurants, and breweries. The center of Frederick鈥檚 historic district is Carroll Creek Linear Park, an urban oasis where foodies can stroll along the water, sip wine at the Wine Kitchen, or grab ice cream at Sweeties. Steeped in Civil War history, history buffs can visit the National Museum of Civil War Medicine and the Rose Hill Manor Park & Museums to look at early American life, agriculture, and transportation history and visit the former home of Maryland鈥檚 first elected Governor.
Brandywine
While no one is precisely sure how the town of Brandywine got its moniker, it is thought that it was named after the Battle of Brandywine, fought on September 11, 1777, when the British captured Philadelphia from George Washington鈥檚 Continental Army during the Revolutionary War. While it may be a coincidence, various wineries are near Brandywine, including Robin Hill Farm and Vineyards, Janemark Winery & Vineyard, and Two Lions Vineyard, where wine drinkers can enjoy winery tours, tastings, and charcuterie boards.
For outdoor enthusiasts, the Cedarville State Forest is a haven for hikers, mountain bikers, and equestrians, with over 19 miles of trails in the 3,707-acre forest. It is also a little-known birding hotspot and one of the last forests in southern Maryland to support breeding Eastern Whip-poor-wills whose iconic mournful sounds can be heard from the campground after dusk.
Final Thoughts on Maryland鈥檚 Uniquely Named Towns
Despite the small size of these towns in Maryland, their proximity to significant landmarks, state parks, and historical sites makes them ideal destinations for visitors seeking unique experiences. Whether exploring the serene trails of Rocky Gap State Park near Flintstone, discovering Harriet Tubman鈥檚 legacy in Cambridge near Crapo, or enjoying Civil War history in Funkstown, these small communities offer easy access to enriching activities. Perfect for nature lovers, history buffs, outdoor enthusiasts, and wine tasters, these bizarrely named towns are worth exploring.
