File:Jefferson History November 15, 1774.jpg

Summary

On November 15, 1774, Eleanor Medley signed a deed that marked the birth of Jefferson. The small town was originally known as "New Town" and was laid out by Leonard Smith for Mrs. Medley. New Town was an 18th century turnpike route between Frederick and Harpers Ferry. A second town, called "New Freedom" was laid out at the western end of New Town in 1775 and in 1832, the two were joined and named for Thomas Jefferson by Dr. Charles McGill as fashionable families moved into the houses along Jefferson Pike.

Jefferson had a reputation as one of the rougher turnpike towns as it once included several taverns and was known as "New Town Trap", "Trap Town" or simply "Trap". Local legend had it that travellers were warned that many entered one side of the Trap and disappeared, victims of either the taverns or robbers. While this sinister reputation was not unique to Jefferson, it was stronger there than other Frederick County communities.

Today, Jefferson is a picturesque, quiet town distinguished by 3 churches, Jefferson United Methodist, Jefferson United church of Christ and St. Paul Lutheran Church, all built in the 1800s. Many of the homes along Jefferson Pike have been in existence since the community began. Dr. McGill's home still stands at No. 3836 and is considered a prime example of the town's well-to-do residents in the first quarter of the 19th century. With recent development in the area over the past 30 years, the Jefferson community has grown to a population of several thousand.

(Photo and information credit to the Brunswick Citizen, May 20, 1999)