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! Which ones will be added to your bucket list?

1. Washington Monument State Park, Boonsboro
Washington Monument State Park, 6620 Zittlestown Rd, Middletown, MD 21769, USA
J. Stephen Conn/Flickr
Atop South Mountain, you'll find the Washington Monument. This rustic stone tower was built in 1827 in honor of the memory of George Washington.
2. Fort McHenry, Baltimore
Fort McHenry, Baltimore, MD 21230, USA
Flickr / Michael Dressler
This historic spot known as Fort McHenry played a role in the war of 1812, defending against an attack by the British Navy. It was continuously used years after and even inspired the Star Spangled Banner.
3. Antietam National Battlefield, Sharpsburg
Antietam National Battlefield, 302 E Main St, Sharpsburg, MD 21782, USA
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. The Antietam National Battlefield still stands as a reminder of this dark time in American history.
4. Point Lookout State Park, Scotland
Point Lookout State Park, 11175 Point Lookout Rd, Scotland, MD 20687, USA
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.

Explore this Maryland state park in beautiful 4K:
5. Edgar Allen Poe House & Museum, Baltimore
Edgar Allan Poe House & Museum, 203 N Amity St, Baltimore, MD 21223, USA
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.
6. Casselman River Bridge State Park, Grantsville
Casselman River Bridge State Park, 10240 National Pike #3, Grantsville, MD 21536, USA
Flickr / Dan Gray
Casselman Bridge was once a part of the National Road from 1813 to 1933. Today it stands as tribute to the early history of transportation in Maryland.

Explore this stunningly beautiful park in Maryland firsthand:

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7. Fort Frederick, Big Pool
Fort Frederick, 10927 Fort Frederick Rd, Big Pool, MD 21711, USA
Flickr / Fred Schroeder
During the French and Indian War, Fort Frederick stood as Maryland's defense. This spot holds artillery firings and 18th-century markets for a trip back in time.
8. Maryland State House, Annapolis
Maryland State House, 100 State Cir, Annapolis, MD 21401, USA
Flickr / Jeff Weese
Not only is this Maryland's capital, but it is also the oldest state capital in continuous legislative use in America. Dating back to 1772, that's quite an impressive feat! Visit the Maryland State House and learn all about its intriguing history.
9. St. Mary's City Historic District
Historic St. Mary's City, 18751 Hogaboom Ln, St Marys City, MD 20686, USA
Wikimedia Commons / Pubdog
This town was Maryland's first colonial settlement. You can now visit this restored historic area to learn about colonial times. Visit the official St. Mary's City Historic District website for more backstory on this amazing place.
10. Fort Washington Park, Fort Washington
Fort Washington Park, 13551 Fort Washington Rd, Fort Washington, MD 20744, USA
Flickr / Ken Lund
For several decades Fort Washington was the only defensive fort protecting Washington D.C. You can now visit the fort and surrounding scenic places, as it's been transformed into a tranquil park.
11. United States Naval Academy, Annapolis
United States Naval Academy, 121 Blake Rd, Annapolis, MD 21402, USA
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 on the official United States Naval Academy website.
12. Chesapeake & Ohio Canal
Chesapeake & Ohio Canal, 3701 Canal Rd, Point of Rocks, MD 21777, USA
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. Plus, it's gorgeous!
13. St. Clements Island, Coltons Point
Saint Clements Island, St Clements Island, Maryland 20626, USA
Flickr / WorldIslandInfo.com
This uninhabited island known as St. Clements Island on the Potomac River was the landing site of Maryland's very first colonists. This is quite literally the birthplace of the state.

Check out a breathtaking birds-eye view of the island in this awesome video:

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! Which ones are the most interesting to you? Tell us your thoughts in the comments!

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More to Explore

Historical Landmarks in Maryland

Tori Jane | March 02, 2023
  1. What are some of the most interesting historical landmarks in Maryland? 

Maryland is an amazingly wonderful state filled with natural wonders and historical landmarks galore. There are lots of interesting historical landmarks in Maryland, including:  

  • The Accokeek Creek Site – an interesting archaeological site that was once a Native American village. 
  • The Carrollton Viaduct – this is quite literally the oldest operating railway bridge in the world.  
  • The College of Medicine Maryland – another oldie! This one’s the oldest medical school building in the United States.  
  • Fort Washington – this was for many decades the only defensive fort protecting Washington, D.C. 

 

Get a closer look at the Carrollton Viaduct and several other old, historic railroads in these awesome old photographs.   

  1. What are the most famous landmarks in Maryland? 

Of course, some Maryland landmarks are a bit more famous than others. Some of the most famous landmarks in Maryland are ones like:  

  • The Star-Spangled Banner Flag House – this is where the first American flag was sewn by Mary Young Pickersgill, which later inspired the song Star-Spangled Banner.  
  • The Antietam National Battlefield – the site of the infamous battle of the same name in September 1862.  
  • Fort McHenry – an American coastal pentagonal bastion fort on Locust Point, now a neighborhood of Baltimore. 

 

Learn more about some of our favorite historical landmarks in Maryland on this awesome road trip. 

  1. Which Maryland historical landmarks are worth adding to my bucket list? 

Honestly, we think all of the historical landmarks in Maryland are worth visiting, but if you only had a short time in Maryland and need to select just a few, we would pick:  

  • Fort Washington 
  • The Star-Spangled Banner Flag House 
  • The Antietam National Battlefield 

 

Of course, you can pick anything you’d like – after all, there are almost 70 designated historical landmarks in Maryland as of the time of this writing!  

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