Emmitsburg, Maryland
Emmitsburg is a town of 2,845 people in Frederick County, Maryland, founded in 1785.
Why visit Emmitsburg
Townapedia lists 12 museums and landmarks, 2 parks and trails, 7 places to eat, 1 place to stay and 1 attraction in and around town.
Highlights include Mount St. Mary's University, Emmitsburg Historic District and St. Euphemia's School and Sisters' House.
July is the warmest month, with average highs of 85°F; January lows average 22°F, and about 28 inches of snow fall in a normal year.
Weather in Emmitsburg
Forecast from the National Weather Service. Full forecast
About Emmitsburg
Emmitsburg is a town in Frederick County, Maryland, United States, 0.3 miles (0.5 km) south of the Mason–Dixon line separating Maryland from Pennsylvania.
From the Wikipedia article Emmitsburg, Maryland (this version), under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Things to do1
Mount St. Mary's University
School · 2.3 mi
American private, liberal arts, Catholic university near Emmitsburg, Maryland
Museums and landmarks12
Emmitsburg Historic District
Monument and historic site · National Register of Historic Places
Historic district in Maryland, United States
St. Euphemia's School and Sisters' House
Monument and historic site · National Register of Historic Places
School building in Maryland, United States of America
St. Joseph's College and Mother Seton Shrine
Monument and historic site · National Register of Historic Places · 0.7 mi
Historic district in Maryland, United States
Fourpoints Bridge
Bridge · National Register of Historic Places · 2.6 mi
National System of Interstate and Defense Highways
Monument and historic site · 1.1 mi
Parks, trails and playgrounds2
Restaurants and cafes7
Chubby's Barbecue
Restaurant · Barbecue · 1.4 mi
16430 Old Frederick Road, Emmitsburg
Dunkin'
Fast food · Donut, Coffee Shop
103 Silo Hill Parkway, Emmitsburg
Mo-Sa 04:30-20:00; Su 05:00-19:00
Subway
Fast food · Sandwich
101 Silo Hill Road, Emmitsburg
Mo-Th 10:00-21:00; Fr-Sa 10:00-22:00; Su 10:00-20:00
History
Emmitsburg was named for its founder, William Emmit, in 1785. However, a settlement (named first "Silver Fancy" and later "Poplar Fields") preceded the town, particularly since British authorities restricted colonists' expansion during and after the French and Indian War.
In 1757 Lutherans led by pastor George Bager built a church, which they shared with a German Reformed congregation until 1798. After the American Revolutionary War, Catholic missionary Rev. Jean Dubois established a mission church, then a seminary, at Emmitsburg. Later Elizabeth Ann Seton established a convent, with a school and hospital. Soon, the number of Methodists in Emmitsburg led to the formation of a circuit around town, rather than share a minister with Gettysburg, Pennsylvania.
The Union fortified Emmitsburg to stop the Confederate invasion of the Union territory in June 1863 during the American Civil War. Half the town was burned to the ground in a mysterious fire on the night of June 23. Folklore has it that "The Great Fire", as it was known, was started by a Union sympathizer to prevent advancing Confederates from taking supplies from the town. However fate spared the town a battle between the opposing forces, which instead took place 12 miles north of it in Pennsylvania near the town of Gettysburg. The town was briefly held by the retreating Confederates on July 4.
From the History section of Emmitsburg, Maryland on Wikipedia, under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Where to stay1
Churches and places of worship7
National Shrine of Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton
Church · Roman Catholic · 0.5 mi
333 South Seton Avenue, Emmitsburg
Christ's Community Church
Church · Assemblies Of God · 0.5 mi
303 West Lincoln Avenue, Emmitsburg
Emmitsburg Presbyterian Church
Church · Presbyterian · 0.5 mi
415 West Main Street, Emmitsburg
Incarnation United Church of Christ
Church · United Church Of Christ · 0.4 mi
124 West Main Street, Emmitsburg
Shopping2
Gas and EV charging2
Schools, colleges and libraries10
Map of Emmitsburg
44 places. The map loads OpenStreetMap tiles when you open it.
Climate by month
Monthly table
| Month | High | Low | Rain | Snow |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 40°F | 22°F | 3.5 in | 8.7 in |
| Feb | 43°F | 23°F | 2.5 in | 8.8 in |
| Mar | 52°F | 30°F | 4.2 in | 4.4 in |
| Apr | 64°F | 40°F | 3.9 in | 0.2 in |
| May | 72°F | 50°F | 4.3 in | 0.0 in |
| Jun | 81°F | 60°F | 4.3 in | 0.0 in |
| Jul | 85°F | 64°F | 4.3 in | 0.0 in |
| Aug | 84°F | 62°F | 3.5 in | 0.0 in |
| Sep | 77°F | 55°F | 5.2 in | 0.0 in |
| Oct | 66°F | 44°F | 3.8 in | 0.1 in |
| Nov | 54°F | 33°F | 3.4 in | 0.8 in |
| Dec | 44°F | 27°F | 3.8 in | 4.5 in |
U.S. Climate Normals 1991-2020 for Emmitsburg 2 Se (3 mi away), NOAA NCEI.
People and cost of living
American Community Survey 5-year estimates, 2020-2024, U.S. Census Bureau. Estimates have margins of error, larger for small towns.
Disaster history
Frederick County has had 13 federal disaster declarations since 2000, most often for hurricanes.
- 2026-01-24: Severe Winter Storm (Winter Storm)
- 2020-03-26: Covid-19 Pandemic (Biological)
- 2020-03-13: Covid-19 (Biological)
- 2018-06-25: Severe Storms And Flooding (Severe Storm)
- 2016-03-04: Severe Winter Storm And Snowstorm (Snowstorm)
- 2012-11-20: Hurricane Sandy (Hurricane)
OpenFEMA disaster declarations summaries.
Getting there and nearby towns
Gettysburg Regional Airport (GTY) is the nearest airport with scheduled flights listed in OpenStreetMap, 10 miles away.
- Carroll Valley 5 mi northwest, about 8 min by car
- Thurmont 7 mi southwest, about 12 min by car
- Taneytown 9 mi east, about 14 min by car
- Highfield-Cascade 9 mi west, about 15 min by car
- Gettysburg 10 mi northeast, about 16 min by car
- Lake Heritage 10 mi northeast, about 16 min by car
- Pen Mar 10 mi west, about 17 min by car
- Wayne Heights 12 mi west, about 20 min by car
- Woodsboro 12 mi south, about 19 min by car
- Littlestown 13 mi east, about 21 min by car
Drive times are estimates from straight-line distance, not routes.
Local news
Headlines from INDB, the NEMICO news database.
Reviews, tips and questions
Loading what members have shared...
Sources and licences
- NCES EDGE (Public domain): public schools
- NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991-2020 (Public domain): climate by month
- OpenFEMA (Public domain): disaster declarations
- OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL 1.0): places, airports, map data
- U.S. Census Bureau (Public domain): population, income, housing, education, commute
- Wikidata (CC0 1.0): elevation, founding date, time zone, website, landmarks and historic places
- Wikimedia Commons (see each image): photos
- Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0): overview and history text
Photo credits
- Emmitsburg town square MD1, Acroterion, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Burlando Building, National Fire Academy, Acroterion, CC BY-SA 4.0
- St. Euphemia's School MD1, Acroterion, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Four Points Bridge, Acroterion, CC BY-SA 4.0
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