Poolesville

History: Cavalry skirmishes occurred on September 5 and 8, 1862 - two episodes among several witnessed by Poolesville residents during the Civil War. A year earlier, Union troops assembled here before being ferried into Virginia for the Battle of Ball's Bluff, and a year later, J.E.B. Stuart's Confederate cavalry stormed through en route to Gettysburg, Pa.

More to Explore: Several historic structures around this close-knit community of 5,000 residents hark back to the mid-19th century, with Civil War memorabilia among exhibits found inside the circa-1793 John Poole House. Five miles south of town is the 1866, one-room Seneca Schoolhouse, now a museum, while six miles to the west is White's Ferry, featuring the only ferry still operating on the Potomac River. Sugarloaf Mountain, located eight miles north of Poolesville, features wooded parklands, hiking trails, picnicking and panoramic views of the countryside. The C&O Canal National Historical Park east and west of town offer hiking, biking, camping and historic points of interest.

Photo Credits:

1. “Poolesville.” Courtesy of Amanda Matte.
2. “All Quiet Along the Potomac to-night.” Courtesy of Duke University Rare Book, Manuscript, Special Collections Library.
3. “Citizen volunteers assisting the wounded in the field of Battle.” Courtesy of Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Division.