Storied institutions at a rural Western Maryland crossroads
The San Mar neighborhood sprawls through the rural foothills of Maryland’s section of the Appalachian Mountains. It is a collection of scattered single-family homes along a two-lane country road that might be anonymous if not for a pair of community resources that are well-regarded throughout the county. “San Mar is sort of a crossroads,” says David Pool, associate broker with Long & Foster, who has lived in the area since 1983. “But there are a couple of notable organizations there. One is San Mar Family and Community Services, which has done wonderful work for children in the area. The other is the Fahrney-Keedy Senior Living community, which has been around for over a century now. Really that’s most of the area, but there are a few homes along San Mar Road that are by owner.” The neighborhood also lies between the county seat of Hagerstown to the north and the understatedly popular Boonsboro to the south, remaining a quiet country retreat in the farmland of Washington County.
San Mar is well known for the high number of churches in the area.
Screech and slide into the weekend at Mason Dixon Dragway just over the San Mar border.
1/2
The trails and the lakeshore at Greenbrier State Park
Greenbrier State Park is a popular destination for residents looking to hike, camp and enjoy a day on the lakeshore. San Mar is convenient to both the North and West Trailheads and is only a 4-mile drive from the Greenbrier Lake Public Boat Launch and the beach. Hikers can pick up the Appalachian Trail at the Annapolis Rock and Black Rock Cliff Trailhead or at the Washington Monument State Park, home to the first structure dedicated to George Washington after the Revolutionary War. Those who prefer less rigorous outdoor activity can head to the 18-hole golf course and the swimming pool 2 miles north at the Beaver Creek Country Club, or 5 miles west to the small playground and picnic shelter at Devil’s Backbone County Park.
Greenbriar State Park is located in a beautiful mountain valley surrounding a lake and beach.,
Greenbrier State Park is a great place to stay cool all summer.
1/2
Single-family homes outside the Fahrney-Keedy Senior community
A large portion of the homes in San Mar is made up of units in the Fahrney-Keedy Senior Living community. Founded in 1905, Fahrney-Keedy provides senior citizens with a dedicated village where they can receive quality faith-based care into the later stages of life. The organization has worked to expand its physical site in recent years, now offering 62 cottages and apartments for rent. Independent living and assisted living are both available, as are care and rehabilitation services for patients grappling with cognitive and physical decline. Quads, duplexes and single-family cottages all offer a standard array of amenities that includes city sewer services and lawn care. Outside of the facility, prospective owners can find ranch-style and Cape Cod homes that look out on spacious country lawns. These are set back from San Mar Road by paved driveways and often feature backyards large enough for pools. Single-family homes range in price from $330,000 to $470,000.
San Mar's Fahrney-Keedy Senior Living Community has an assortment of housing options.
A gorgeous cape cod style home nestled on a hill in San Mar.
1/2
Accelerated learning at Boonsboro Middle School
Greenbrier Elementary School, which scores a B from Niche, is where many neighborhood children begin their education. It is under a mile from most homes in San Mar, though it is only accessible from a narrow two-lane highway and thus may not be considered walkable by residents who live on the neighborhood outskirts. Students then proceed to Boonsboro Middle, also rated B, which offers an accelerated magnet program for learners interested in foreign language and culture. They finish at Boonsboro High, which earns a B-plus. There are also several faith-based educational institutions nearby. Highland View Academy, a Seventh-Day Adventist institution that scores an A-minus, is about 5 miles north of the neighborhood, while the Episcopal Saint James School, which earns an A-plus, is roughly 10 miles west.
Boonsboro High School prepares students to succeed.
Highland View Academy serves students in Washington County.
1/2
Commuting over the Appalachians
Maryland Route 66 is the main thoroughfare of the neighborhood, connecting San Mar south 4 miles to Boonsboro and north 3 miles to Interstate 70. “Lots of people around that area commute over the mountain and east along I-70 to the DMV,” Pool says. This is the most direct route to Frederick, Baltimore and Washington, D.C. Interstate 70 also connects the neighborhood west to Interstate 81 and farther on to Hagerstown Regional Airport almost 18 miles north. Hagerstown Regional offers direct flights to vacation destinations in both Florida and South Carolina.
≈San Mar is a mostly residential community, locals seem to enjoy the peace and quiet.
Enjoy your morning cup of coffee with stunning mountain views in San Mar.
1/2
Nora Roberts, baseball games and concerts
San Mar is located between two developing destination towns, affording residents with plenty of entertainment. Voracious readers will be excited to learn about the author who makes her home just 4 miles south of the neighborhood. “Boonsboro is a great community,” Pool says. “The most famous resident is Nora Roberts, the best-selling author. She bought an old hotel, rebuilt it and named the rooms after characters in her novels, so every weekend people descend on the town. Her husband owns the Turn The Page bookstore, too, which is just good business.” Book signings take place at the store regularly, while other local artists are celebrated at the annual Boonsboro Days Festival in Shafer Park. This event features over 150 exhibitors and vendors and showcases everything from traditional paintings and crafts to local restaurants and distilleries. In Hagerstown, located 8 miles north of San Mar, folks can gather at Meritus Park to cheer on the Flying Boxcars, the local minor league baseball team, or at Hub City Vinyl’s restored historic venue for live music.
San Mar residents rave about author Nora Roberts bookstore called Turn the Page.
Greenbrier State Park is a great location for a flag football game.
1/2
Between Boonsboro, Hagerstown and Frederick
The closest grocery store to San Mar is the Weis Markets in Boonsboro, although residents can also pick up fresh produce at the Cronise Market Place a few miles farther down Old National Pike. There is an Aldi 8 miles west in Hagerstown, right across the street from the nearest Walmart Supercenter. Boonsboro is home to several small restaurants for a night out, including Branded Chophouse and Rasco NY Pizza. While long-time draws like Bavarian eatery Schmankerl Stube are just about 9 miles away in downtown Hagerstown, locals are just as likely to head 18 miles east to Frederick to dine at Brewer’s Alley or Sabor de Cuba.
In the past few years, planned developments are starting to pop up in San Mar.
Weis Market is the closest grocery store near San Mar.
1/2
The history and contributions of San Mar Family and Community Services
One historic institution in the neighborhood has kept San Mar on the minds of Washington County residents for over a century. “San Mar Family and Community Services has done so much good for the community,” Pool says. “It started as an orphanage, and it’s expanded significantly since. It still houses young women and works with adoptive and foster families in the area, as well as reaching out through elementary schools in the city to serve lower-income residents.” Since its founding in the wake of the Civil War, San Mar Family and Community Services has served children in foster care by connecting them with caring families and providing mental health services across the region. The facilities are located along Mapleville Road, just 2 miles north of Boonsboro.
San Mar residents will tell you Jeovani's Pizzeria in Boonsboro has the best slice in town.
Pete's Barbershop in Boonboro has been serving the San Mar community for years.
GreatSchools:
The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process.
View GreatSchools Rating Methodology
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Dawn O'Day,
an experienced agent in this neighborhood.
Parks in this Area
Greenbrier State Park
South Mountain State Park
Transit
Airport
Hagerstown Regional/Richard A Henson Field
24 min drive
Crime and Safety
1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime
San Mar
US
Homicide
2
4
Sexual Assault
2
4
Assault with Weapon
2
4
Robbery
2
4
Burglary
2
4
Motor Vehicle Theft
2
4
Larceny
2
4
Crime Score
2
4
Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com
Neighborhood Facts
Number of Homes in Neighborhood
70
Median Year Built
1970
Average Single Family Home Size Sq Ft
2,100
Above the national average
1,924
Median Lot Size Sq Ft
87,120
Distribution of Home Values
Source: Public Records
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Dawn O'Day,
an experienced agent in this neighborhood.
Average Home Value
Source: Public Records
Property Mix - Square Feet
This Neighborhood Has More Owners
Demographics
Total Population
342
Median Age
46
Population Density
2 ppl/acre
Population under 18
22.2%
On par with the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
24.6%
Above the national average
19.1%
Finances
Median Household Income
$94,166
Above the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$111,564
Education and Workforce
High School Graduates
91.1%
College Graduates
29.3%
On par with the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
15%
% Population in Labor Force
72.2%
Above the national average
65.1%
Weather
Annual Precipitation
42''
Average Winter Low Temperature
22°F
Average Summer High Temperature
86°F
Annual Snowfall
2''
Area Factors
Somewhat Bikeable
Bike Score®
20/ 100
Car-Dependent
Walk Score®
2/ 100
Source: Walk Score
Source: Walk Score
Sound Score® measures the noise level of any address. Transit Score® measures access to public transit. Bike Score® measures the bikeability of any address.
Disclaimer: Certain information contained herein is derived from information provided by parties other than Homes.com. Our sources include: Accuweather, Public Records and Neustar. All information provided is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed to be accurate and should be independently verified.
