Little Heiskell

A Symbol of Hagerstown

The weather vane, Little Heiskell, a Pre-Revolutionary War ranger, was made in 1796 by a German tinsmith named Heiskell. Only a hammer and chisel were used to produce it. This weather vane stood atop the Market House and City Hall in Hagerstown, Maryland, for 166 years and is one of the oldest mementos of Hagerstown.

The silhouette was removed in 1824 from the Market House and moved to the City Hall. During the Civil War, a Confederate sharpshooter used "Little Heiskell" as a target, and as a result a bullet hole can be seen above the arm and gun.

In 1935, the original was placed in the Museum of the Washington County Historical Society. It is now located in the Hager House Museum, City Park, where it is seen and enjoyed by thousands of visitors annually. Today an exact replica overlooks Hagerstown from atop City Hall as the original Heiskell did over two hundred years ago.

Little Heiskell Original at Jonathan Hager House Museum

Original Little Heiskell  Weather Vane at on view at the Jonathan Hager House Museum.

Little Heiskell portrayed by Chas Rittenshouse at the Alsatia Mummers Parade

Little Heiskell portrayed by Chas Rittenhouse at the annual Alsatia Mummers Parade in October.