Sharpsburg, just what a small town should be

The FACTS

One of my favorite quotes is from Alice in Wonderland. It is between Alice and the Cheshire Cat and it goes like this:

Alice: Would you tell me, please, which way I ought to go from here? The Cheshire Cat: That depends a good deal on where you want to get to. Alice: I don’t much care where. The Cheshire Cat: Then it doesn’t much matter which way you go.

So, do we care as a community where we are going? I believe we do and it is reflected in our town motto “Sharpsburg, just what a small town should be!”  But how will we measure progress towards this goal? One way is to identify specific targets that will allow us to evaluate our progress. One of those targets is to be an Active community. Being active can have several meanings and many benefits:

1. Opportunities exist to be physically active. We are blessed in Sharpsburg to have areas for physical activity such playgrounds, ball fields, tennis and basketball courts, and fishing. Additionally, we have thousands of acres of open space and miles of biking, hiking, tubing, boating and experiencing nature right in our back yards through public parks and waterways.
2. Participating in eventsto help people connect and experience small town life. There are many Town events. Larger well-organized ones such as the Memorial Day Ceremonies to smaller ones sponsored by the Sharpsburg Museum of History, Washington County Public Library, Antietam Institute, Fire Company, our churches, school and many others.
3. Volunteering for organizationsprovides chances to stay active by connecting with neighbors and contributing to keeping Sharpsburg a great small town.
4. Assume a role in effective community communications. Contribute to the Town Crier keeping community members up to date with essential information about ongoing projects and upcoming events as well as capturing significant local history.

A small-town community such as Sharpsburg is a place where you can achieve a sense of purpose that comes from being rooted within family, churches, schools, voluntary organizations and community. This connectedness or association helps provide the base for our strong nation.

On October 5, 2024 we will celebrate Sharpsburg Day. Please come out and find out more about what goes on in Sharpsburg and help make Sharpsburg a place where you can live in a healthier, happier, more supportive, and united community.

In 1763, Joseph Chapline laid out what was to be the first town in Washington County, Sharps Burgh, (today known as Sharpsburg).

On September 17, 1862, The Battle of Antietam (also known as the bloodiest day of the Civil War), brought devastation, heartache and 23,110 soldiers left dead, wounded, or missing.  The sense of community shared by the people of Sharpsburg provided the strength to overcome the devastation and to rebuild the town.

Presently the town looks very much as it did in the 1800s.  Modern day conveniences have been added, but have been carefully planned out so as not to interfere with the historical nature of the town.

Sharpsburg is nestled beside the Antietam Battlefield, with various attractions, such as the C&O Canal, Harper’s Ferry, Washington Monument State Park, South Mountain, Crystal Grottoes Caverns, and many others just a short drive away.