Jarrettsville Elementary School

History of Jarrettsville, Maryland

How Jarrettsville Got Its Name

The area of Jarrettsville was known as "Upper Node Forest." It was located on the "Big Road" which connected Baltimore with McCall's Ferry. Amos Carman owned quite a large acreage in the "Upper Node Forest" and the village bore his name, Carman. About 1802, Amos Carman, son-in-law of Samuel Marshall for whom the Fourth/Marshall's District was named built a tavern. He built a tavern on the southwest corner of the crossroads of the village (Keene Dodge's repair facility, the old fire house) and the town bore his name, Carman.

History of Jarrettsville

"As late as 1763 remnants of the Mingo and Susquehannock tribes of Indians were found in the neighborhood which extended west and north from Susquehanna River to York County, Pennsylvania." Indian relics were found in abundance to the east of Jarrettsville. Two settlements were located near-by, one at the Rocks of Deer Creek and the other at Red Bridge off of Clermont Mill Road.

The Area of Jarrettsville was known as "Upper Node Forest." It was located on the "Big Road" which connected Baltimore with McCall's ferry (on the west bank of the Susquehanna River). Amos Carman owned quite a large acreage in the "Upper Node Forest" and the town bore his name "Carman." Luther Jarrett, who lived on My Lady's Manor, purchased nearly 300 acres near the intersection (Rt. 165 & Rt. 23) in 1835. Luther Jarrett was a public spirited citizen and served as a member of the General Assembly in Annapolis. In 1838 he was honored by having the name of the post office changed from Carman to Jarrettsville.

Some of the old families in the area are the descendants of Joshua Rutledge, the Cairnes family and their home "Friendship," and the Watters family. The Watters family were early members of the community and founded the William Watters Memorial Church. The area near the church was called "Eden Town" but later changed to Coopstown after Captain Coops. The original house of the Watters was called "Eden Manor" and is a historic house located near the intersections of Rt. 23 and Morse. A plaque is now located on the house, since it was the residence of Miss Mary E. W. Risteau a great-great granddaughter of the Watters.

In the 1800's there was a hotel in Jarrettsville. Also, there was an undertaker, marble yard, and doctor. An iron furnace called the Sarah Furnace Company was located on the north shore of the West Branch of Winters Run (near the intersection of Furnace and North Furnace Roads). One of the largest chrome mines in the world was located in east Jarrettsville (near the nursery by Anderson Lane). These deposits of chromite were discovered by a man named Isaac Tyson, Jr. while in the Bel Air market. Squire Reed owned a large tract of land known as "The Glades," extending from Jarrettsville to Chrome Hill. Chrome Mill is located nearby on the East Branch of Winters Run. Three chrome pits were operated until the end of World War I.

The first school building was located in Jarrettsville about 1835. It was an old log dwelling. After a number of various building had been used as schools, Dr. Martin L. Jarrett, a member of the Harford County School Board and Mr. Nobel Mitchell of the State Legislature, made plans in 1902 for a new school building. This building became the Jarrettsville Academy which consisted of three rooms. The first graduates were Mary Cairnes, Lydia St. Clair, and William Taylor. In 1926, the new Jarrettsville High School was completed. In 1934 a large auditorium was added. The last class graduated from Jarrettsville High School in 1948. State law changed the graduation requirements in 1949 and students had to complete at 12th grade to graduate. In 1950, North Harford High School was completed and Jarrettsville became a school for elementary students only.

In 1929 the Jarrettsville Volunteer Fire Company was established. Prior to that time, fire protection was provided by equipment from Bel Air. The first fire chief was Martin Kurtz whose family operated a cabinet shop and funeral home.

Luther Jarrett, who lived on My Lady's Manor, purchased nearly 300 acres near the intersection of the crossroads in 1835. Jarrettsville is named after the Jarrett family. In 1838 Luther Jarrett was honored by having the name of the post office changed to Jarrettsville. Luther Jarrett also became the first postmaster of Jarrettsville in 1838. Later, Jarrettsville was populated by a number of Jarrett's: Dr. Martin L. Jarrett, W. B. Jarrett, J. W. Joshua Jarrett, Captain A. Lingan Jarrett.

During the civil war, the Jarrett family were advocates of the Confederacy except for Dr. James Henry Jarrett. When James announced his intention to enter the U.S. Army, he was bitterly opposed by his family and caused a sensation in the village of Jarrettsville. He entered the Union Army on October , 1861 as Assistant Surgeon in Purnell's Legion. Later he became Acting Surgeon-in-Chief of the 3rd Div. of the 7th Maryland Infantry Regiment. He took part in the Gettysburg, Wilderness, White Oak Road, Spotsylvania, and Appomattox campaigns. He was mustered out on May 5, 1864 as Major James Henry Jarrett.

Younger brother of James H. Jarrett was Martin Luther Jarrett. Martin L. was a doctor like his older brother. In July of 1864, he joined the Confederacy as Acting Assistant Surgeon of the 1st Maryland Cavalry Battalion. During the war he was captured and was a prisoner in Fort Delaware, Delaware. After the war, Dr. Martin L. Jarrett, spent time in Baltimore until 1874. Finally, he returned to Jarrettsville.

Jarrettsville Elementary School's curriculum in social studies in the fourth grade emphasizes the study of Maryland . In the third grade, our students spend time learning about the rich heritage of Harford County, Maryland.

You can have the unique experience of working with your child in preserving a part of the history of our area. Less than thirty minutes north of our elementary school, you and your child could have the opportunity to work together in the preservation of one of the most romantic railroads in the eastern United States.

The Maryland & Pennsylvania Preservation Society, located in Muddy Creek Forks, is currently involved with the preservation of part of the mainline of the historic Ma & Pa Railroad. This railroad once ran through Harford County from Cardiff, through Rocks State Park, Bel Air and to the city of Baltimore.

In the adjacent town of Forest Hill is located one of the restored stations of the Ma & Pa RR. The Harford County Council has been working to acquire part of the old right-of-way for a hiking, biking trail. Hopefully, one day we will be able to walk through the scenic area of the Ma & Pa.