Emmitsburg

Emmitsburg is a small town in Frederick County, Maryland, situated in hilly terrain near the Mason-Dixon line. The town spreads across a modest area at an elevation of about 133 meters in a rural part of the state.

The place was originally known as Silver Fancy and Poplar Fields but received its current name in 1785 when William Emmit founded the settlement. This founding marked the beginning of the town's organized development.

The town is home to Mount Saint Mary's University, one of the oldest Catholic colleges in the country, which has shaped local life and drawn students for generations. This presence gives the place its distinctive character as a center of Catholic learning.

The town is conveniently located on Route 15, which leads north toward Gettysburg and south toward Frederick, while Maryland Route 140 connects to Baltimore. Visitors can easily drive through the region and reach larger cities nearby.

The National Shrine Grotto of Our Lady of Lourdes sits on a mountain ridge and is the oldest Catholic pilgrimage site in the country. This spiritual destination has attracted visitors for decades seeking the site's quiet history.

Location: Frederick County

Inception: 1785

Elevation above the sea: 133 m

Website: http://emmitsburgmd.gov

GPS coordinates: 39.70470,-77.32530

Latest update: December 20, 2025 11:43