Westminster

Westminster is the only actual city in Carroll County and the home of the county government. With a thriving down town section and extensive suburban areas, Westminster is easily recognized as the true center of the county. As the county seat, Westminster rapidly grew to become the leading commercial center in the area. It was originally laid out in 1764 along a wagon trial and finally incorporated in 1830. When Carroll County was carved from parts of Baltimore and Frederick Counties in 1837, Westminster was the most logical choice for county seat because of its central location.

 

In its early days, it was Main Street that would become clogged with traffic, whereas today it is Route 140 that draws the bulk of the traffic, with the Town Mall and the various shopping centers attracting customers. Moving further out from the center of town, we find the bulk of Westminster's industries, as many and varied as they are.

 

At the far western end of Main Street lies the former Western Marlyand College - now renamed to McDaniel College, complete with its own Western Maryland Railroad caboose and its own set of ghost stories. Westminster has quite a few ghost stories, inhabiting several of the older buildings in town, including the old Opera House, Alumni Hall at McDaniel College, Cockey's Tavern and the old Westminster Jail. The Historical Society has many records related to these ghost stories if you are interested in learning more.