The motto "Gateway to the Mountains" is prominently displayed during a journey along West Main Street in Thurmont, Maryland. As you drive through this northern Frederick County town with approximately 6,700 residents, the Catoctin Mountains loom on the distant skyline.
"You notice their lovely foliage during autumn, they're blanketed in snow throughout winter, and they bloom beautifully come springtime. Living here is absolutely breathtaking," remarked Caylee Winpigler, who relocated to Thurmont in 2022, one year following her graduation from Hood College in Frederick.
However, what attracted Winpigler wasn’t just the stunning vistas. With a background in history, he was captivated by Thurmont’s rich heritage and currently serves as the president of the Thurmont Historical Society. Established in 1751 by German immigrants, the town initially went by the name Mechanicstown before adopting its present moniker, Thurmont, which derives from "through the mountains," according to Winpigler.
"People get enthusiastic sharing stories about discoveries from their backyards or old photographs with me. This demonstrates significant civic and communal pride, highlighting how much Thurmont residents value one another and preserving the town’s heritage," explained Winpigler, who serves as the community impact manager at the Ausherman Family Foundation located approximately 15 miles south in Frederick.
A part of Thurmont's past is its closeness to Camp David, which serves as a presidential getaway situated roughly eight miles away from the town across 125 acres within the Catoctin Mountain Park, a national park area.
"You hear the helicopters and assume, 'Ah, the president must be visiting,'" Winpigler commented.
Even though its appeal has diminished since President George W. Bush frequented it 150 times—President Donald Trump paid 15 visits during his first term, and President Joe Biden made 39 trips—it remains influential for Thurmont. The mural adorning the old trolley station showcases both the town and its scenic mountainscape, along with images of past presidents who have stayed at Camp David.
Thurmont resident Jammon Waddy remembers when Ivanka Trump visited the Dunkin' where he was working back in 2019 and got herself some doughnut holes along with a beverage. However, for Waddy—who spent all his life either living in Thurmont or close by—the chance of encountering high-profile politicians isn’t really significant compared to what truly sets his hometown apart.
He particularly likes the proximity to Catoctin Mountain Park to hike up to the rocky outcropping called Cat Rock that has a view of the Frederick Valley and the eastern edge of the Blue Ridge Mountains.
One beloved spot is the Thurmont Regional Library, which draws inspiration from the area’s farming past through its use of local stone and timber in construction. The library's impressive 40-foot stone tower mirrors the form of the historic Catoctin Furnace, an iron-producing foundry dating back to the Revolutionary War era. Visitors can explore the remnants of this furnace at the nearby Cunningham Falls State Park nowadays.
However, even though Waddy readily adopts Thurmont’s quaint small-town atmosphere, it sometimes feels too limited for his taste, and he wishes it would draw more enterprises appealing to younger adults. "While we have good pedestrian accessibility, there isn’t much going on," he commented.
He is equally worried about what he perceives as insufficient diversity and inclusivity. In 2020, he participated in a Black Lives Matter demonstration at Memorial Park downtown. However, "since some supporters of Trump showed up opposite our cause, everything turned somewhat tumultuous," remembered Waddy, who is employed by T-Mobile and resides merely a short stroll away from his childhood home.
"I adore Thurmont; the vistas are stunning, and I'm confident visitors will make their way there. It might simply require more time than we'd prefer," he stated.
A resident of Thurmont, Michele Maze, aims to enhance the town’s environmental impact. Serving as the chairperson for the Thurmont Green Team—a group established ten years ago through municipal sponsorship—she motivates local inhabitants across multiple initiatives. This team has cultivated community gardens within Carroll Street Park and organizes an annual event called Green Fest each April at the library, attracting over 800 attendees. Additionally, they have assisted the town in achieving recognition under the Sustainable Maryland Community certification. To earn this distinction, towns are required to undertake several tasks such as formulating water-saving strategies and utilizing sustainable power sources for governmental facilities.
"I would like to witness individuals having a minor impact. Should sufficient people take a slight action, it will result in significant change," Maze stated.
She likewise dedicates her time to the American Legion for organizing a monthly art fair where local artists get the chance to showcase and sell their creations.
Furthermore, Thurmont boasts multiple art galleries, and every May and August, the town organizes an art and wine walk that attracts between 1,500 to 2,000 visitors.
The arts play a crucial role in Thurmont, according to Economic Development Manager Vickie Grinder, as they contribute significantly to their main industry sector: "In our economic development plan, tourism makes up the biggest portion. Our community has around 7,000 residents and hasn’t seen considerable population expansion over the past 15 years. Therefore, fostering business growth relies heavily on attracting tourists."
Grinder notes that three of Maryland’s five covered bridges are located within Thurmont's zip code. This area also houses three wineries and four orchards, as well as Cunningham Falls State Park, which boasts the state’s highest waterfall.
Although Thurmont offers a variety of homes ranging from those dating back to the early 1800s to contemporary townhouses, not much new construction is taking place currently. In 2023, inhabitants of Thurmont decided to reverse the choice made by the Thurmont Board of Commissioners to incorporate 17 acres of agricultural land for developing 172 residential units along with a childcare center and an assisted living facility.
Recently, Hammaker Hills, located beyond the boundaries of Thurmont, finished constructing 40 standalone residential properties and has plans for an additional 24 units.
"It’s clearly a seller's market in Thurmont," stated J&B real estate agent Elle Smith. "In the past decade, we've had just one actual neighborhood developed," she added, pointing to Hammaker Hills as an example.
In 2024, 129 houses were sold within the zip code 21788 of Thurmont, as mentioned by Smith. This figure encompasses sales in both urban and rural regions around the town. The least costly property was a bank-owned bungalow spanning 768 square feet featuring two bedrooms and two baths; constructed in 1930, it fetched $117,000 upon sale. Conversely, the highest-priced residence was an expansive modern home covering 4,343 square feet from 1972, boasting six bedrooms and five bathrooms over a vast expanse of 41 acres, ultimately selling for $1,527,500.
In the Thurmont region, there are currently 14 homes listed for sale. The property with the lowest price is a 1,330-square-foot, three-bedroom, three-bath townhome from 2000, which is being offered at $309,900. At the higher end of the spectrum, you'll find a luxurious 1,845-square-foot log cabin sitting on three-quarters of an acre. This four-bedroom, three-bath retreat, constructed in 1950, has a listing price of $750,000.
"There's a reduced cost of living and cheaper housing prices," compared to Frederick city and Montgomery and Howard counties, explained Smith, who hails from Thurmont, left for some time, but eventually returned.
I returned here to start a family due to the strong sense of community. Although this might sound typical, I genuinely feel supported with a network of individuals assisting in raising my children. Our neighbors keep an eye on both their own families and others, yet they do so without being intrusive," explained Smith, whose twins are now 16 years old. "This truly turns out to be an excellent place to reside.
Schools: Thurmont Primary covers pre-K through second grade, Thurmont Elementary includes grades three to five, followed by Thurmont Middle School, and finally Catoctin High School.
Recreation: Besides its famous waterfalls, Cunningham Falls State Park features a swimming lake equipped with a sandy shore and a boat launching area, numerous hiking paths, and a campsite located merely one mile away from the town of Thurmont. Closeby lies the 5,000-acre Catoctin Mountain Park which offers extensive hiking routes, campsites, and cozy log cabins. Additionally, the Catoctin Wildlife Preserve and Zoo situated in Thurmont spans across 50 acres housing over 300 different animal species.
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