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historical role includes its importance during the Civil War. Its fine bridge was sacrificed in 1861

when the Confederates destroyed it. The town's inhabitants, numbering about 500, were hurt by the interruption of transportation, because the canal, the bridge, and the railroad were crucial to the daily business health of the town. Thus Alexander Gardner, a prominent Civil War photographer, explained in a caption to a picture of the pontoon bridge.

The role of the railroad and the canal in American history strengthened the application. Historic Berlin encompassed fewer than 45 acres surrounded by "B" Street, Petersville Road, Peter's Run (Martin's Creek), to the Potomac River, west to the alley behind the Virginia A venue lots up to "B" Street. Six to eight buildings north of the westbound tracks remain from Berlin. The nomination form points out that a ferry was opera ting here prior to 1822.

The areas annexed after incorporation increased the town's area to a total of over two square miles.

Augmenting the nomination form, Koenig included Maryland Historical Trust Worksheets on the Wenner farmhouse, the Cannon Farm Property after 1889 (Koenig's), the American Legion Home (since razed), the John L. Jordan house, the B&O Roundhouse, the Westbound station, and the YMCA (since destroyed by fire).

Preparing the nomination forms is a tour de force and an act of love, and Connie Koenig is the person to thank.

m 1985, the people of Brunswick declined a proposal to elevate the Brunswick Historic District of the National Register to a town-commissioned district that would enforce certain standards.

S - Connie Koenig, "Maryland Historical Trust Worksheet," 1974

W-MMM

GEORGE WASHINGTON DID NOT SLEEP HERE ... BUT HIS HORSES DID

Two accounts of George Washington's travels in southern Frederick County refer to a visit to Berlin. One account follows.

By 1784, George Washington was interested in the commercial use of the Potomac River and the creation of a canal to join the port of Georgetown with the (Middle) West. This was reinforced by a model he had seen of James Rumsey's steamboat in,Bath, Virginia (now Berkeley Springs, West Virginia), in September 1784.

General Washington reported the Potomac to be filled with beauty and with the potential for commerce. Despite the shallow spots, rapids and rocks, he felt the river could be made navigable. He had great confidence that Georgetown could be linked with the grain-growing western regions and that the Chesapeake Bay would be connected with the Ohio River. This, with the proposed improvement to permit navigation on the Youghiogheny, would connect East and West.

On one of his explorations, Washington left horses at the home of Captain John Smith, son of Leonard Smith. There are two theories as to where Smith's farm was. One says it was in the vicinity of the lock house; another that it was east of Tenth Avenue, possibly on what used to be the old B&O farm.

On January 5, 1785, the Potomac Navigation Company was formed. George Washington was president and James Rumsey was superintendent.

In August of 1785, George Washington left Georgetown on horseback to inspect the Potomac River and surrounding areas to the Shenandoah Falls at Harpers Ferry. The evening of August 6 he dined at Morris' Tavern, Harpers Ferry.

The next day,Sunday August 7, 1785, Washington and party went to "Keeptryst" (now Sandy Hook) and secured canoes; they investigated the river then returned to Harpers Ferry in time for breakfast. With one available canoe, General Washington, Colonel Gilpin, and Mr. Rumsey set out to run through the "Spout" rapids below Harpers Ferry; however, they were dissuaded because of the frailty of the craft.

Two days later, (Tuesday August 9) a suitable boat had been acquired. General Washington, Colonel Gilpin, and Colonel Fitzgerald triumphed over the "Spout" and had breakfast with Captain Smith, where horses had been sent the evening before. Washington retrieved his horses.

General Washington and Captain Smith had had a long-standing relationship. Washington was president of the Society of Cincinnati, of which Smith was a member. In addition, Smith had served under Washington in the Revolutionary War. Washington left Smith's residence, ate at Noland's Ferry, then spent the night there at Mr. Taylor's, about three miles above the mouth of Goose Creek and about ten miles below Noland's.

On August 10 (Wednesday) the party was navigating the Potomac and exploring its borders. They reached Smith's Ferry (now Knoxville) and went on to Luckett's Ferry. Washington noted that

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