Evening capital and Maryland gazette. (Annapolis, Md.) 1910-1922, 1911-10-10
CRUMBLING AGAIN.
The First Washington Monument Built
By Citizens OF BOonsbOro And Ded-
icated July 4, l827-Lightning Has
Treated 1t Badly.

The old stone monument, the first
ever built to the memory of George
Washington, is today, for the second
time since its erection, in rather a
dilapidated condition.
1t was bull; by the citizens of
Boonsboro, and dedicated July 4,1S27.
Occupying a prominent position on
the summit of South Mountain, about
two and one-half miles southeast of
Boonsboro, it commands a wide view
of the surrounding country. 1t has
weathered the storms of many years,
serving as landmark on the line of
division between Washington and
Frederick counties.
In 1882 there was left standing only
about 10 feet of the original monu-
ment. BY means of local subscrip-
tions sufficient amount was raised
to rebuild it. 1t was re-dedicated
August Is, 1883, having been built to
a height of so feet and surmounted
with an iron frame. For the second
time its partial destruction was
wrought by bolt of lightning striking
it and throwing nearly half of one side
of it to the ground. The recently
organized Historical Society Of Wash
ington county is making a sys tematic
effort to have the monument and it's
surroundings placed in a suitable and
substantial condition. No monument
built to Washington, they assert,
should be a ruin, and they think it
seems as though the State or nation
should provide for its being re-
modelled.
Delightfully."- quaint and "old-timy, "
with its layers Of rocks and winding
stone stairway,it is one of the many
objects of note associated with the
early history of the country. Revo-
lutionary soldiers helped to construct
it and fired salute at its dedica-
tion. During the Civil war it was
used as a signal station. The Battle
of South Mountain was fought one
mile from its site. The gap in the
mountain through which the Potomac
passes at Harpers Ferry, where John
Browns famous raid took place, may
be plainly seen, about fourteen miles
to the south.
Many persons climb the steep noun
tainside through the dense growth of
laurel and huckleberry bushes to visit
this old monument. They sniff the
delicious, ,indescribable odor OF the for
est and pause to listen to the trickling
of the winding streams flowing musi-
cally on their way. Here and there
they find an Indian arrow or a curious
stone. They gather ferns and eat
their lunch by the monument spring.
Finally the climb is resumed, and the
highest point on the old lookout is
reached. Directly in front of the
structure is clearing in the mountain
covered with many rocks of all sizes.
Down little lower are the forest
tres-the chestnut and hickory and
standing in early autumnal
beauty and affording homes for count
less families Eof birds. Beyond the
mountains edge are thrifty farms,
with well-kept buildings, and villages
with tall church towers, and many
happy homes.
To the left may be seen the old
national turnpike winding as a thread
through the valley of the Potomac
that name having been given the
beautiful valley between the North
and South Mountains. The walls of
the National Cemetery and the CLEAN
of the white monuments on the Antie-
tam battlefield may be readily seen to
the southwest, while the misty noun
tain ranges in the distance lend en-
chantment to the view. Baltimore
Sunday Sun.