Fraley Store was opened in 1906 by F. W. Fraley. As recently as 2023 Catoctin Furnace Historical Society received a grant for $100,000 from Maryland Historical Trust’s Historic Preservation Capital Grants Program.
Handicap ramps were not used when the store was in operation during the life of the store, so with the help of a grant program the Catoctin Furnace Friends Group will apply for funds to be used to build a ramp which will be located on the back side of the store as well as handicap parking spots.
We have not determined a specific time which this ramp will be installed but it will be in the near future.
2026 Descendant Reunion
Friday to Sunday, May 15th–17th, 2026
The 2026 Descendant Reunion is being organized by the Catoctin Furnace Friends Group (CFFG). For event information please reach out directly to catoctinfurnacefriends@gmail.com.
CFFG suggests using Thursday the 14th as a travel day to the area and events will go through Sunday the 17th.
Note: Due to high foot traffic in the village, MD Rt. 806 will be CLOSED from Kellys Store Road to Blacks Mill Road during Maryland Iron Festival hours on May 16th & 17th.
The Catoctin Furnace Friends Group is working to document and preserve the champion trees of the Catoctin Furnace area. The village is home to a Maryland State Champion silver maple—our “Witness Tree”—which has stood for centuries, silently observing the history that unfolded around it.
Additional information about the Big Tree Certificate and this project is forthcoming.
As descendants of our ancestors, we work together to find the stories of those that came before us. Sadly, we don’t know the names of these people who rest in this cemetery.
In 1979 a road was being upgraded to a 4-lane highway, however, during the construction of this road unmarked graves were found. Thirty-five graves were inventoried and documented for studies done by scientists, determining as much information as possible by cataloging every detail of the burial. No names were ever recorded, no dates on the stones, no respect given to those who were forced to work at Catoctin Furnace.
It is the goal of Catoctin Furnace Friends Group to make the resting place of these unknown individuals a place of peace and rest, one that we as descendants can visit and show our respect.
One example of the many footstones used as a grave marker.
As the Friends Group it is our mission to preserve this cemetery with the help of grants and volunteer work. The full story can be found at www.catoctinfurnace.org.