The small village of Taneytown, nestled at the foothills of the Catoctin Mountains in central Maryland, has witnessed two and a half centuries of American history. The settlement's beginnings date to 1754 when it was founded on a 7,900-acre tract of land. By the end of the century, Taneytown was a bustling community that supported craftsmen of various trades. The most famous native son of the region is undoubtedly lawyer, poet, and author of The Star-Spangled Banner, Francis Scott Key. With the outbreak of Civil War, Taneytown sent 75 of the district's 500 residents to the battle; few returned. The war had a drastic impact on the county, and the area did not flourish again until the arrival of the railroad in 1871. By the late 19th century, the region rebounded to become a small business hub with three cigar factories, a carriage maker's shop, two warehouses, a steam flour mill, and two banks. With new prosperity, many of the structures of the town were replaced with fashionable Victorian edifices. Today, the quaint charm and history of Taneytown continue to attract visitors from near and far.