Page 37 - Garrett County 2023-2024 Activities Guide

Garrett County is Maryland’s The French and Indian War marked a
second-largest county, and its youngest. Until 1872, it was part of Allegany County, which is now Garrett’s neighbor to the east.
Its name derives from John Garrett, president of the B&O Railroad at the time the county was established.
Today, you can retrace the B&O’s influence on Garrett County as both a center of commerce and a vacation destination at the free Oakland B&O Museum (facebook.com/ oaklandbandomuseum)! Trains stopped coming to Oakland
in 1971, but the 1884 station building has undergone a complete, historically accurate restoration. One of the most distinguished depots in the country, the station is on the National Register of Historic Places.
The Garrett County Historical Museum (garrettcountymuseums. com) in Oakland houses a treasure trove of exhibits related to the founding of Garrett County, the history of the land, and the way
of life for Garrett County citizens from years past.
The museum is affiliated with the Garrett County Historical Society, which also runs four other museums, including:
• The Garrett County Museum of Transportation in Oakland features carriages, sleighs, buggies, fire department artifacts and automobiles, along with a representation of A.D. Naylor’s Blacksmith Shop, one of the earliest and most prominent businesses in Oakland. The second floor, called the Deep Creek Gallery, hosts a variety of exhibits documenting the history of Deep Creek Lake and other nearby state parks.
• The Grantsville Museum
is a small community museum dedicated to preserving the photographic legacy of Leo Beachy, a poet and photographer who recorded local history from 1905-1927.
major milestone for Garrett County, as an Indian trail in the area was widened in 1755 to accommodate General Braddock’s army.
Between 1811 and 1819, the old National Road was built over that same Indian trail. Some of those who passed along this road on their way to Pennsylvania liked the area and stayed, eventually forming the town of Grantsville. (The
Drane House in Accident, built in the late 1700s, is one of the few original frontier plantation homes remaining in the area.)
Today’s U.S. 40 follows much the same route as the old National Road. You can retrace the Historic National Road, which passes through Garrett County on its way to Vincennes, Ill., by following the Historic National Road scenic byway. Learn more at visitmaryland.org/scenic- byways/historic-national-road.
Built around the same time (in 1813) was Casselman River Bridge. Spanning 80 feet, this bridge was the longest single-arch stone bridge in America when it was built in 1813. The bridge is still open to pedestrians and is located in the smallest of Maryland’s state parks, complete with picnic sites and access for fly fishing on the Casselman.
While you’re discovering Garrett County’s history, don’t forget to explore our sprawling farmlands and scenic byways, which lead
you past more than 40 barn quilts (garrettbarnquilts.org). Each barn quilt has a unique design. Or visit one of our many working farms and really get to know our agricultural history and future (garrettfarms. org/visit-farms.html).
www.visitdeepcreek.com 35
PHOTO BY CREDE CALHOUN – VISION QUEST STUDIOS
PHOTO BY SARAH DUCK