Funkstown blends history with small-town charm
Funkstown is a small Maryland community outside of Hagerstown that is steeped in history. Homes and storefronts from the 1800s line Main Street, historical markers tell the tales of the town and 250-year-old churches still serve the community. “It’s just a quaint little antique town in a good location. It has proximity to Interstate 70 at the edge of Hagerstown,” says Shirley Bayer, a Realtor and associate broker at Re/Max Results with nearly 40 years of experience. “We’re in a historic area near Antietam Battlefield, and there are a lot of historic Civil War sites in the area.” The small town was founded in 1767 by Henry Funck and was known in its early days for its mills. The Battle of Funkstown took place during the Civil War in 1863. Thanks to its location along the National Road, the community continued to grow until the 20th century, when the development of railroads led to it becoming the small residential town it is today.
Historic homes and newer builds offer a range of options
Vintage homes fill the streets of Funkstown, with some built as far back as 1800. Colonials and brick cottages are common in the area, while Victorians and bungalows are other popular styles. Houses are close together on the town’s sunny streets, with some sidewalks offering room for a stroll through the neighborhood. Homes in the historic part of the community typically sell for $200,000 to $300,000. The Gaver Meadows subdivision on Funkstown’s east side was established in 2021 and features New Traditional homes with attached garages on wide streets. Houses here sell for $220,000 to $530,000.
Locally owned businesses fill downtown, with chains a short drive away
Baltimore Street and Frederick Road are the main commercial strips in Funkstown, with several locally owned shops and restaurants. Stonebridge Pizzeria & Pub is a casual spot serving pizza, sandwiches and drinks with an expansive outdoor patio. Stores in town sell everything from antiques to specialty popcorn. “Rooster Vane Gardens is a nice little business. They make beautiful arrangements. It’s a little florist and gift shop, and that guy does phenomenal work,” Bayer says. While locally owned businesses make up most of the town, other options are nearby. Groceries are available at Martin’s on Dual Highway or Aldi on Sharpsburg Pike. The Hagerstown Premium Outlets are about 2 miles away and have stores like Eddie Bauer, Gap and Calvin Klein.
Historic sites and parks offer lots of ways to get outside
Funkstown Community Park offers a variety of activities, including two baseball fields and two tennis courts. The Maple Street entrance to the park has a playground and picnic pavilion. Residents entering the park on Robert Kline Way will find another playground and a basketball court. Devil’s Backbone Park is about 8 miles south of town and has canoe access on Antietam Creek, plus a playground and picnic areas. Residents can head about 11 miles south to Antietam National Battlefield, which stretches across 3,000 acres. The battlefield museums, historical markers and hiking trails.
Public schools earn solid ratings and offer advanced programs
Students might attend Ruth Ann Monroe Primary School, rated an A-minus, and Eastern Elementary School, rated a B. E. Russell Hicks Middle School receives a B-plus, while South Hagerstown High School earns a B. High schoolers can enroll in the Academic Leadership Academy, which includes several Advanced Placement and honors courses, plus summer academic workshops and leadership training. The high school also offers dual enrollment courses through Hagerstown Community College.
Historic church has served the town for 250 years
St. Paul’s Lutheran Church has been serving the community since 1771. It was originally a log cabin before moving to its current building on Baltimore Street in 1850. Today, the church has several ministries to serve the town, including a food bank, school supplies drives and social dinners.
Quick access to I-70 and downtown Hagerstown
Interstate 70 is nearby, offering an east-west highway across Maryland and a 26-mile drive to Frederick. Downtown Hagerstown is about 3 miles away via Frederick Street. Route 331 of the Washington County Transit system connects Funkstown to the Martin’s and downtown Hagerstown. The closest hospital is Meritus Medical Center, about 2 miles away.
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Written By
Matthew Atkins
