City of Brunswick, MD History Commission

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City of Brunswick, MD History Commission

This is the official page of the City of Brunswick, MD History Commission.

This page is used to share information about Brunswick history and is maintained by City of Brunswick Commissioners and staff.

02/16/2026

After 12 months of careful research, the History Commission was able to present their completed timeline, “Brunswick – A Journey Through Time,” at the City Council meeting on Tuesday, February 10. This 16-foot-long display describes the 230+ years of Brunswick’s history with historic pictures and brief descriptions. The display will be available for viewing at City Hall for the next two weeks after which it will become a traveling exhibit to be displayed at Springfest, Railroad Days, and other events, as well as possibly at the library, the local schools, and other venues.

01/30/2026

Perched on the steep hill behind the Brunswick Veterinary Office and Grooming Spa (on Petersville Road) are what appears to be the ruins of an old castle overlooking the entrance to Brunswick. These are actually the remains of “Feete’s Row,” a series of five row houses, each one only 15 feet wide, built by C.H. Feete on North Virginia Avenue in the early 1900’s. Census records indicate that no occupant stayed there longer than ten years. The buildings were eventually destroyed by fire in 1963. Does anyone have any stories about these row houses to share with us?

01/22/2026

This picture was published in the January 16, 1975, issue of the Brunswick Citizen, obviously taken from the bridge facing east. Note the Eastbound Station (destroyed by fire in the 1980’s) in the center of the picture and the roundhouse (demolished in 1995) in the background. Those who frequent the boat ramp under the bridge will wonder what those train cars are doing to the right of the station where there is now a paved road to the boat ramp. Next time you go by there, if you look real closely, you can see some remnants of those tracks.

01/11/2026

Do you know of someone who deserves to wear this lapel pin recognizing them as one of Brunswick’s "Distinguished Citizens”? Applications are now being received for nominees and can be sent to [email protected] by January 31. Information should include (1) the nominee’s name, (2) the reason(s) you feel they should receive this recognition, and (3) the name and contact information (preferably email address) of the person submitting the application. A list of previous honorees can be found at www.brunswickmdhistory.com/index.php?title=Category:Brunswick_Distinguished_Citizen.

11/16/2025

In spite of a few sprinkles during the opening ceremony, the weather couldn’t have been better for this year’s Veterans Day Parade. This newspaper clipping from the Blade-Times dated November 5, 1931, describes preparations for the first Armistice Day celebration in Brunswick which was held that year. (Armistice Day, of course, later became Veterans Day.)

11/03/2025

The Brunswick History Commission has been working for several months on a display showing Brunswick’s history. A rough draft was displayed by the Train Station at Railroad Days. If you missed seeing it there, it will also be on display at the Business Expo at the Fire Hall this coming Thursday, November 6, from 5-8 pm. We are looking for public input before we send it for final production. Stop by and see us!

10/14/2025

A historic marker briefly describing the history of Brunswick was unveiled in the pocket park beside the bridge by the Maryland Department of Transportation on Thursday, October 2. Pictured here, in addition to some state and county officials, are Mayor Nathan Brown, Kelly White (chair of the preservation and revitalization committee which spearheaded this project) and James Castle (who researched and provided the text).

09/16/2025

This past Sunday, September 14, Brunswick’s 2025 Distinguished Citizens were honored by 160+ guests at a special luncheon held in their honor at the Eagles Club. In addition to a commendation and a certificate from Mayor Brown, each honoree received a special pin designed by Buck Musser. These pins are also available for ALL previous Distinguished Citizens, so if you are one of these special people, or if you know of one, please contact Wayne Allgaier at [email protected] to obtain a pin.

Pictured below are this year’s Distinguished Citizens. From left to right: Bob Effler, Jennifer Effler, James Castle, Bruce Funk, Melanie Dipasquale (representing Mary McDonald, who died in 1911), David House, Cathy Barnes, Frances Axline (sitting), Rick Weldon, Cheryl Turney (representing her husband Bill Turney, who passed away last year), Jerry Knight, and Kathy Crone. (Photo by Steven Allgaier)

09/04/2025

The Mayor and Council and the Brunswick History Commission are proud to honor Mary McDonald as a Distinguished Citizen of Brunswick, Maryland.

Mary Bruner was born “near Point of Rocks” on 5 April 1825. Eventually, she moved to the village of Berlin where, in the mid-1850’s, she married Bernard McDonald, an Irishman who, at the time, was working as a railroad hand, although he would eventually become a superintendent on the railroad.

Her son Rufus Bruner joined the Potomac Home Brigade and served honorably in defending the canal and the railroad from rebel invaders during the Civil War.

Mary ran a boarding house on South Maple Avenue for 50 years. Her obituary in 1911 describes her popularity: “Mother Mac [as she had come to be known] has conducted a boarding house at Brunswick for the past 50 years. Her boarding house was especially well known by the railroad men, all of whom spent their time there.” Further, “Railroad officials when visiting Brunswick always went to her house for some of her famous mince pies and apple dumplings.”

When she died in 1911, Mary left $25 to the German Reformed Church (currently Beans in the Belfry) to have a stained-glass window installed in her memory.

To read the full biography and learn more about Mary's life and service to Brunswick, click here: https://www.brunswickmdhistory.com/index.php?title=Mary_McDonald

(If you are accessing the page from a mobile device, you may need to tap the little arrow above the word “Media” to see the documents contained on the honoree’s page.)

09/01/2025

The Mayor and Council and the Brunswick History Commission are proud to honor Bill Turney as a Distinguished Citizen of Brunswick, Maryland.

Bill Turney was born in Baltimore on June 18, 1945, and moved to Lovettsville at age 11. He married Cheryl Anderson in 1966 during his senior year at the University of Richmond. They were blessed with three children, nine grandchildren, and one great-grandchild.

Beginning in 1969, Bill taught English at Brunswick High School (BHS) and dedicated 44 years there. He connected with students through his charismatic teaching style and after-school initiatives, including the work study program. Bill coached football, basketball, and track, and served as assistant coach during BHS’s only state championship season in 1976-77.

In the 1980s, Bill experienced a spiritual reawakening. He served as an associate pastor locally, was a traveling evangelist, and provided Christian counseling from his home. He preached the gospel in China in the early 2000s, even facing arrest for smuggling Bibles.

Known for his kindness, Bill often bought meals for the homeless. He passed away unexpectedly on May 14, 2024, leaving behind a legacy of love and service.

To read the full biography and learn more about Bill's life and service to Brunswick, click here: https://www.brunswickmdhistory.com/index.php?title=Bill_Turney

(If you are accessing the page from a mobile device, you may need to tap the little arrow above the word “Media” to see the documents contained on the honoree’s page.)

08/28/2025

The Mayor and Council and the Brunswick History Commission are proud to honor Cathy Barnes as a Distinguished Citizen of Brunswick, Maryland.

Cathy Gaither was raised in the house where her grandparents once lived and is a 4th generation Brunswickian. She and her high school sweetheart Greg Barnes got married in 1975. She provided day care for others as she raised her own children and later worked at the Learning Tree Day Care Center and later in the Brunswick Middle School and High School cafeterias.

In 1990, she started working at the Brunswick Senior Center (now called the “Brunswick 50+ Community Center”) and she has been the Director there ever since. The very busy schedule there was impacted severely by the COVIC-19 pandemic, closing it for two years. But through Cathy’s efforts, they are rebounding. In addition to many weekly activities, they hold a monthly dinner-dance at the Eagles Club, which is well-attended.

Cathy enjoys crafts (especially crocheting and sewing) and tending to her flower garden, and traveling. Besides their two children, the Barnes’s have three grandchildren.

To read the full biography and learn more about Cathy's life and service to Brunswick, click here: https://www.brunswickmdhistory.com/index.php?title=Cathy_Barnes

(If you are accessing the page from a mobile device, you may need to tap the little arrow above the word “Media” to see the documents contained on the honoree’s page.)

Address

1 West Potomac Street
Brunswick, MD
21716

Telephone

+13018347500

Website

http://brunswickmd.gov/index.asp?SEC=65D3A75D-68B3-4FBA-ABD2-70D21141BCA1&Type=B_BASIC

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