Frederick County

Frederick County is an administrative division in Maryland that extends between the Piedmont Plateau and the Appalachian Mountains, covering both the Catoctin Mountain and South Mountain ranges. The area combines rolling hills with forested zones and open valleys, where farms and smaller towns shape the countryside.

The county formed in 1748 when it separated from Prince George's County to organize the growing frontier area. Further divisions in 1776 led to the creation of Washington County in the west and Montgomery County in the south, while the northern portion remained Frederick.

The county takes its name from Frederick Calvert, the sixth Lord Baltimore who once governed colonial Maryland. Many towns preserve German roots from the eighteenth century, visible in church buildings and dialect variations that early settlers brought here.

Highway connections lead into the region from Baltimore and Washington, and journeys are best planned outside rush hours. The hilly terrain requires appropriate footwear and some basic fitness for walks or cycling routes.

The area hosts the largest federal cancer research laboratory, engaged in biomedical studies and attracting professionals from many countries. Dairy farms produce roughly one third of the state's entire milk output, shaping local agriculture in a lasting way.

Location: Maryland

Inception: 1748

Capital city: Frederick

Shares border with: Adams County, Carroll County, Howard County, Franklin County, Montgomery County, Washington County, Loudoun County

Website: http://FrederickCountyMD.gov

GPS coordinates: 39.47000,-77.40000

Latest update: December 13, 2025 18:27