Muirkirk was the historic location of
Muirkirk Furnace, from which the area takes its name. The ironworks were established before the
American Civil War. After the conflict began, the US government hired a manager from the North,
Charles Coffin, to ensure the works were kept under federal control. Located along Old Muirkirk Road, near Muirkirk station and just east of the former furnace, is the historic African-American community of
Rossville, originally composed mostly of families of men who labored at the ironworks. It has existed for more than 100 years. In 1868 after the Civil War, six black men purchased property for a church and cemetery, forming the Queens Chapel
Methodist Episcopal Church in the rural enclave colloquially referred to as "Swamp Poodle." Part of the property was already in use as a burial ground. They intended to use the church building, originally a small log structure, as a school for their children. This was the start of a postwar cohesive black community in which freedmen established a church independent of white supervision. The Queen's Chapel church was rebuilt in the 1950s. This former school was more recently used as an American Legion post.
Historic sites The following is a list of historic sites in Rossville, near Muirkirk, identified by the
Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission: ==Education==