Greencastle auction firm to sell historic farm

BOONSBORO, Md. — The Civil War's Battle of Antietam impacted several of the peaceful farms in the community. Included among those was the historic Legacy Manor Farm located just 2 miles north of the Antietam Battlefield off of Route 65 (Sharpsburg Pike) at 17758 Bakersville Road Boonsboro. The farm is most prominently known as the site of the Sesquicentennial 150th Antietam Reenactment held a few years back. It will soon be up for sale by Hurley Auctions of Greencastle.

The Battle of Antietam or otherwise known as the Battle of Sharpsburg in the South, was fought on Sept. 17, 1862. This battle halted the first invasion of the North by the Confederacy.

It was the bloodiest single day in the bloodiest war in American history, totaling over 23,400 American casualties, with almost 3,600 killed outright, over 1,800 going missing, and almost 18,000 wounded. Over one in four who were engaged were killed or injured.

The Battle of Antietam descended upon the peaceful farming community of Sharpsburg. The armies came, fought a fierce battle and left, leaving behind a vast expanse of devastation. Thousands of wounded required attention and every public building, barn and many private homes were turned into hospitals. One of those farms descended upon was the Legacy Manor Farm also known as the Ecker Farm on Bakersville Rd. This 256-plus acre farm will be going on the auction block on May 8 giving the public a chance to own a piece of history. It is currently used as beef/sheep operation and includes a 5,400 square foot brick farmhouse, as well as several outbuildings and silos. The farm is currently in a conservation easement and adjoins 5,500 acres of the permanently protected land near Antietam Battlefield.

Matthew Hurley of Hurley Auctions in Greencastle was asked to conduct this historic auction taking place live at the property May 8.

For more information contact Hurley Auctions at 717-597-9100 or visit www.hurleyauctions.com