The
historic, federal styled town of New Market was founded in 1793 by
two gentlemen of the area, Nicholas Hall and William Plummer. From
its earliest days, it was a convenient stop for travelers in need
of food, lodging, and services along the turnpike from Baltimore to
Frederick.
The
first post office in New Market was established in 1800. In 1818,
the turnpike became the eastern section of the National Pike, an
integral part of the route taken by the multitudes that opened
America’s western frontier. The road carried freight and
conestoga wagons loaded with grain, whiskey, tobacco, lumber, iron,
furs, and other products. Passenger coaches and fancy buggies
stopped at the hotels, inns, and taverns in town. Herds of cattle,
sheep, and pigs were driven through town to market. Peddlers came
with carts, and many travelers came on foot carrying all they owned
on their backs.
The
heaviest westward migration occurred in the period between 1820 and
1850. To meet the demands, New Market had two hotels, eight
taverns, five inns, two tailor shops, five dry goods and grocery
stores, three tanneries, a number of wheelwright and blacksmith
shops, wagon stands, livery stables, and livestock
pens.
The
volume of travel along the National Pike receded in the 1870s when
the B&O Railroad became the favored mode of transportation
westward. The town became a retirement community for local farmers.
Then in 1936, Stoll Kemp opened an antique shop in New Market, and
the town’s new industry was born—the sale of antiques.
Once again New Market was welcoming travelers and extending its
hospitality to all who “came down the
Pike.”
Known as the “Antiques Capital of
Maryland,” New Market now offers a concentration of
establishments where visitors can browse and purchase the treasures
of yesteryear. Fine bed-and-breakfast accommodations and dining
facilities in formal and casual settings are
available
.
In 1975, New Market was placed on the National Register of Historic
Places. In 1986, the town received the Maryland Preservation
Service Award.
The
geocache you seek is a larger-size lock-n-lock. Access Note:
Please approach via the passageway next to town hall that leads to
the public restrooms, or down the alley on the other side. Please
do not attempt to cut through the next door neighbor's garden/yard,
the yard with the red-roofed shed. Don't forget to stamp your
passport and write-down the secret word.
Thanks to Two Lovies for assisting with the
original MML geocache hide!
Thanks to the
Maryland Geocaching Society for assisting with this
project!