Historic Smithsburg
By Charles Jeffries / Photos by Turner Photography
By 1923 much of the town of Smithsburg had been built, and now, a century later, not much has changed. Pleasantly, Smithsburg retains its 19th-century charm and the town center is largely unencumbered by modern development. The town boundaries have pushed out to accommodate some housing development over the years and that has brought the population to about 3,000, making it the third largest municipality in Washington County.
Have a Drink
In any small-town bar you find characters, and Wolfe’s Den is no exception. Belly up and enjoy a beer or a cocktail, but don’t miss out on the wings—better than any chain restaurant version of the Buffalo delicacies. Outside of town, the Red Heifer Winery is one of Maryland’s up-and-comers for local wine. Among their dry reds is a wine made with an obscure grape called Blaufrankisch, typically found in Eastern Europe. There are plenty of dry reds and whites and some sweet wines for dessert.
Get Outside
The Appalachian Trail zigs and zags to the east of Smithsburg in the 21783 zip code, following South Mountain and challenging hikers with rugged terrain. The hey day of Pen Mar Park is long behind us with its amusement park, arcades, and dancing hall. But the view from High Rock in the park remain as spectacular as ever and worth the hike or drive. If you’re looking for outdoor activities a little more tame, the Mountain Valley Orchard and Lewis Orchard are great places to explore local produce and the Washington County farm life. Veteran’s Park is about 30 acres of walking trails, playgrounds, sports fields, and picnic areas.
Grab a Bite
One thing Smithsburg will tell you is the small-town diner is alive and well. The Dixie Diner will fill you up with good food in portions too big to finish and smiling service all day long. As you would expect from a Mayberry-like diner, Dixie offers an amazing breakfast. Vince’s Pizza is an interesting fusion of Italian and Mexican, with Vince’s specialty pizzas—try the Maryland crab pizza or the steak-and-cheese pie—as the highlight. Vince has been a Smithsburg fixture since 1989. Small-town Chinese food can be hit or miss, but China 88’s extensive menu is full of quality traditional dishes at more-than-reasonable prices. Debbie’s Soft Serve is Smithsburg’s place for the sweet tooth, serving more than 30 flavors of soft serve, as well as snow cones, parfaits, sundaes, shakes, ice cream cakes, and novelties. You’ll also find hand-dipped ice cream from Windy Knoll Farm Market & Creamery in nearby Chambersburg.
Shop Local
The Appalachian Trading Post is full of unique gifts, home decor, artisanal knives, and Native American-inspired wares. Wander through Salvage Through Time and stumble across relics from the past. Vintage items are salvaged from old barns and buildings to make an eclectic collection. Forget the big box DIY centers, Sunnycrest Farm & Home Center gives personal service for home and farm needs. The new Re-Fined by Goodwill is different from the traditional Goodwill thrift store. It features a weekly curated selection of antiques, home decor, designer shoes, accessories, and more. The homemade cakes and pies are worth the trip to the Trackside Kitchen, which is basically a permanent farmer’s market stand. Prices are incredible. A dinner of pot roast and two sides for $8.19?
