Western Maryland College (McDaniel College)

During the war, the land was used to bivouac troops and place guns to protect arriving artillery.

Western Maryland College was chartered by an “act of Maryland Legislative” in 1864, though it was not opened until September 1867. Part of the land acquired for it included a lot formerly known as the “Old Commons.” Though privately owned, the Old Commons was a common site used by the citizens of Westminster as a meeting and picnicking area, and for public activities such as 4^th of July celebrations and political rallies. During the Civil War, it was utilized by the Army of the Potomac to bivouac troops; guns were also placed there to protect the daily arrival of artillery on the nearby Western Maryland Railroad. For a few days preceding the battle of Gettysburg, men from the 1^st Delaware Cavalry made it their headquarters, as it had “a commanding view of the surrounding countryside.”