Photo: Late Victorian houses, East Main Street, Middletown. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2003. Photographed by user:Acroterian (own work), 2008, [cc‑4.0] via Wikimedia Commons, accessed August, 2025.
Photo: Late Victorian houses, East Main Street, Middletown. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2003. Photographed by user:Acroterian (own work), 2008, [cc‑4.0] via Wikimedia Commons, accessed August, 2025.
The Middletown Historic District [†] encompasses the majority of 19th and early 20th-century development within the corporate boundaries of Middletown, Maryland. It lies in the Middletown Valley, between Catoctin Mountain to the east and South Mountain to the west. The district includes over 344 contributing buildings, two cemeteries, and numerous historic streetscapes. The district's boundaries follow natural contours and town edges, encompassing Main Street, Green, Washington, Jefferson, Church, Walnut, Prospect, and Broad Streets.
Historical Development
Middletown emerged in the 18th century and grew into a prosperous town along the National Pike (U.S. Route 40). Its early success came from its position as a major commercial corridor and transportation hub. The town thrived with hotels, stores, industries, and railway connections. However, by the mid-20th century, the town's role shifted to a residential community due to the bypass of Route 40, the closure of the electric railway in 1947, and the construction of Interstate 70 in the 1960s. Despite this shift, the town has maintained its architectural integrity and historic charm.
Architectural Character and Building Types
The district exhibits a wide array of architectural styles spanning more than a century. Federal-style buildings from the early 1800s are among the oldest, characterized by Flemish bond brickwork and elegant, restrained detailing. Greek Revival buildings feature Ionic columns and symmetrical proportions. Gothic Revival elements include steep gables and scrollwork trim. Italianate commercial structures often display bracketed cornices and tall narrow windows. Queen Anne houses feature towers, projecting bays, and ornate woodwork. Colonial Revival and Classical Revival styles brought symmetry, Palladian windows, and classical porches to many early 20th-century residences and public buildings. Bungalows and Foursquares also appear throughout, often with wide porches and Craftsman details.
Residential buildings typically rise 1½ to 2½ stories, constructed of brick, frame, or log. Many retain original outbuildings including washhouses, stables, and garages. Commercial buildings on Main Street retain early 20th-century storefronts. Religious and civic architecture—such as Zion Lutheran Church, Memorial Hall, and former schoolhouses—anchor the community's shared spaces.
Town Layout and Streetscape
Main Street forms the spine of the historic district, with West Main hosting denser mixed-use development and East Main characterized by more spacious residential lots. The street names reflect historic additions and expansions including Wise’s Addition, Keller’s Addition, and the Coblentz orchard subdivision. The eastern part of Main Street is set back due to the historic railway right-of-way, which once supported the Hagerstown and Frederick Electric Railway line.
Cemeteries and Community Fabric
The district includes two cemeteries: the German Reformed Cemetery on East Main Street and the Lutheran Cemetery on Green Street. These sites contain graves from the Revolutionary War through the 20th century. While commercial activity has declined, the district remains a cohesive and vibrant residential neighborhood with strong ties to its historic roots.
Notable Structures
Zion Lutheran Church, constructed in 1859, exhibits Greek Revival design with a prominent Ionic portico. The Stonebraker and Harbaugh Building (c. 1830) is a large brick Federal-style structure with historic storefronts. The Otterbein United Brethren Church (1882), now the Cornerstone Worship Center, showcases Italianate style. The Coblentz Mansion (1903) is a striking Colonial Revival residence with Palladian windows and a grand presence. The Arnett Building (c. 1910) features decorative brick parapets and commercial detailing. Memorial Hall (1923) represents the Classical Revival style, originally built as a theater and community center to honor local World War I veterans.
† Adapted from: Paula S. Reed, Ph.D. Historic Preservation Consultant with assistance from Edie Wallace, Middletown Historic District, noination document, 2003, National Register of Historic Places, Washington, D.C.
Nearby Neighborhoods
Street Names
Broad Street • Green Street • Jefferson Street • Prospect Street • Walnut Street • Washington Street