Note
Emerald Hill was built in 1842 by Col. John K. Longwell, a prominent citizen of Westminster who played a prominent part in the creation of Carroll County in 1837. He served as County Commissioner, charter trustee of Western Maryland College, state senator, founder of the Western MD Railroad, president of the Baltimore & Reisterstown Turnpike Company, publisher of the Carrolltonian newspaper, and director of the Union National Bank. Longwell lived at Emerald Hill with his wife Sarah until his death in 1896 at age 86. His daughter Sallie continued to live there until her death in 1905. Emerald Hill estate was then annexed into the City and the mansion sold in 1908 to George W. Albaugh; he and his family lived in there until his death in1933. Six years later the house was extensively remodeled to become City Hall; another historic renovation was conducted in 2014 in honor of the City’s 250th anniversary. It was then leased to the Historical Society of Carroll County until 2024.