The first inhabitants of the area now known as Taneytown were Indians. The Tuscarora tribe hunted deer, otter, wolves, and wildcats in the abundant woodlands. Stone hatchets, arrowheads, banner stones, and other relics left by the Indians can still be found today. Such names as Otterdale, Bear Branch, Beaver Dam, and Monocacy bear winess to the early heritage of the area.

When the first volley was fired in the Revolutionary War, Taneytown was already an established community. Speculators had taken the first land grants with the intention of subdividing the land and selling lots to settlers. Some 7,900 acres were granted in such circumstances to Edward Diggs and Raphael Taney in 1754. The latter, whose home was in St. Mary’s County, laid out the the town to which he gave his name, although he probably never lived there.

The first deeds to settlers were registered in 1762. It is a popular misconception that the town is named for Roger Brook Taney, who served in high state and federal elective and appointive positions before becoming Chief Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court in 1835. He shared a common ancestor with Raphael Taney, but he was not born until 1777.

On June 30, 1791, President George Washington recorded his impresssion of Taneytown after an overnight stay at the Adam Good Tavern: “I set off this morning a little after four o’clock in the prosecution of my journey towards Philadelphia— lodged in Tawnytown. Tawnytown is but a small place with only the street through which the road passes; the buildings are principally of wood.” Interestingly, he spelled the town’s name in the manner of its pronunciation.

During the Civil War, Union General George Meade set up his headquarters in Taneytown, expecting to lure General Robert E. Lee there from southern Pennsylvania. Instead, Northern and Southern forces clashed prematurely at Gettysburg, requiring Meade to quickly muster his troops out of Carroll County and move on to Gettysburg.

Today, Taneytown is a community of some 5,000 people who take pride in their schools, civic institutions, and park system. The town has a friendly atmosphere and a home-town flavor that causes visitors to slow down and take a longer look at its historic homes and interesting shops. It draws economic strength from its proximity and easy access to Washington, D.C., and Baltimore.