Stop in front of the University Of Maryland Systems Campus Beltzhoover’s Tavern was a popular traveler’s stop here in the early days. President George Washington stayed here in 1790 on his way to visit Williamsport. The Washington House Hotel was constructed on the site in 1856 and was one of the elite stops along the National Road for many years. Abolitionist John Brown stayed here in June 1859, using the assumed name “Isaac Smith.” He traveled with his two sons to southern Washington County, rented the Kennedy Farm at Samples Manor, gathered his men and conducted his raid on the Federal arsenal at Harpers Ferry. Brown was captured, tried and hanged at nearby Charles Town, Virginia (now West Virginia.) Artist James Taylor stayed here in late 1863. He wrote of seeing many bullet holes splattered about the outside walls from the July 6th, 1863 battle.