History Timeline
1738
Thurmont's HistoryArea settled by the Krieger and Weller families, among others
1748
Thurmont's HistoryFrederick County officially established – the land area (in fact, all of Western Maryland) had been part of Prince George’s County.
1770
Thurmont's HistoryOriginal Apple’s Church structure is erected by people of Reformed and Lutheran faiths on property donated by Peter Apple.
1776
Thurmont's HistoryCatoctin Furnace created by Thomas Johnson and his brothers.
1784
Thurmont's HistoryLorentz Krieger - a founder of the settled area that became Thurmont - died.
1793
Thurmont's HistoryFirst tannery built in by Daniel Rouzer.
1803
Thurmont's HistoryLawrence and John Creager (Anglicized spelling of Krieger) lay out 50 lots from inherited land holdings along what now is Main Street and Water/Church streets and offer them for sale. The new village is named Mechanicstown, likely as a nod to the cluster of toolmakers, mills, tanneries, and artisans already established on or near Hunting Creek.
1805
Thurmont's HistoryJacob Weller BS (for blacksmith) – grandson of a founder – builds first tavern/inn building in town on West Main Street (still standing).
1806
Thurmont's HistoryFirst general store is established by Jacob Firor on West Main Street
1811
Thurmont's HistoryJacob Weller BS establishes a tool factory on West Main Street.
1822
Thurmont's HistoryFirst school opens.
1825
Thurmont's HistoryJacob Weller BS produces the first friction matches in the United States (the “Match House” where he manufactured the matches still is standing on West Main Street).
1830
Thurmont's HistoryWeller church is constructed on land donated from the Weller tract; first church within the town boundary.
1831
Thurmont's HistorySettled area formally incorporated as Mechanicstown by Maryland’s legislature
1839
Thurmont's HistoryJohn R. Rouzer born – grandson of Daniel Rouzer; he will become a Civil War hero and then a leader in Thurmont and Frederick County
1840
Thurmont's HistoryJames Creager – great grandson of Lorentz Krieger – starts a furniture-making and funeral director business that endures for 140 years through three generations
1846
Thurmont's HistoryJacob Weller BS died
1852
Thurmont's HistoryMechanicstown election district is created by the State of Maryland
1865
Thurmont's History6th Maryland Regiment, Company D [including Mechanicstown-area men] participates in Confederate Army surrender at Appomattox
1865
Thurmont's HistoryCol. John R. Rouzer buys the house at 11 North Church Street
1871
Thurmont's HistoryThe Western Maryland Railroad reaches Thurmont
1871
Thurmont's HistoryThe first edition of the Catoctin Clarion is published
1874
Thurmont's HistoryFrank Hammaker establishes Thurmont Marble & Granite
1889
Thurmont's HistorySamuel Birely and Van B. Osler start a bank in Thurmont, which will become the Thurmont Bank in 1901 after Osler’s death
1894
Thurmont's HistoryThe name of the town is changed from Mechanicstown to Thurmont
1903
Thurmont's HistoryFlame extinguished for the last time at Catoctin Furnace
1905
Thurmont's HistoryWestern Maryland Railroad accident – 16 dead from the Thurmont/Catoctin Furnace area
1908
Thurmont's HistoryThurmont is served by an electric trolley connecting it to Frederick city
1914
Thurmont's HistoryCol. John R. Rouzer died
1915
Thurmont's HistoryWestern Maryland Railroad/Blue Mountain Express accident – six dead from Thurmont
1922
Thurmont's HistoryMemorial Park dedicated as a tribute to 11 Thurmont men killed in World War I
1926
Thurmont's HistoryEdwin and Ethel Creeger (new spelling) buy the property and house at 11 North Church Street
1929
Thurmont's HistoryDeputy Sheriff Clyde Hauver is killed during a raid on the Blue Blazes still in the Catoctin Mountains
1929
Thurmont's HistoryWilbur Freeze establishes the Cozy
1936
Thurmont's HistoryClair Frock Company starts a Thurmont factory
1936
Thurmont's HistoryJungleland Snake Farm moves to Thurmont (now the Catoctin Wildlife Preserve)
1938
Thurmont's HistoryCatoctin Recreational Area is assembled for the National Park Service
1940
Thurmont's HistoryLast issue of the Catoctin Clarion is published
1940
Thurmont's HistoryFirst edition of the Catoctin Enterprise is published
1942
Thurmont's HistoryFederal Government creates Shangri La in Catoctin National Park area (now called Camp David)
1943
Thurmont's History(Ensign) Edwin C. Creeger, Jr is Thurmont’s first killed casualty in World War II
1944
Thurmont's HistoryCannon Shoe Company establishes a Thurmont factory
1950
Thurmont's HistoryMoore Business Forms starts manufacturing operations in a new facility in Thurmont
1951
Thurmont's HistoryThurmont’s American Legion Post 168 is dedicated to Edwin C. Creeger, Jr
1954
Thurmont's HistoryLast run of the electric trolley
1957
Thurmont's HistoryRoute 15 highway / bypass created over West Main Street
1968
Thurmont's HistoryCatoctin High School opens in Thurmont
1971
Thurmont's HistoryEdwin Creeger dies
1990
Thurmont's HistoryEthel Creeger donates the house at 11 North Church Street to the Thurmont Historical Society
1991
Thurmont's HistoryThe last issue of the Catoctin Enterprise is published
