Page 37 - Garrett County 2023/2024 Visitors Guide

HISTORY & HERITAGE EXPERIENCES
EXPLORE GARRETT COUNTY’S
SMALL TOWNS!
Deep Creek Lake is Garrett County’s best-known destination, but there’s lots more to discover.
Garrett County is home to eight incorporated small towns, each of which are well worth a
visit for their unique attractions, businesses and beautiful scenery. Follow the Small Town Trail (visitdeepcreek.com/smalltowntrail) to discover hidden gems, historical sites, stunning views and a rich variety of dining and shopping options.
Here’s a quick look at what each of our little towns has to offer:
ACCIDENT
KITZMILLER
navigate the seasonal corn maze at Cove Run Farms or hike/bike the Margraff Trail System. Accident is also home to Drane House, the oldest standing structure in Garrett County!
(ORV) enthusiasts will love the trails at Wolf Den Run State Park. Don’t miss Kitzmiller Homecoming every July — featuring a car show, parade, fireworks and more.
PHOTO BY SARAH DUCK
LOCH LYNN HEIGHTS
Watch local teams play on Loch Lynn Heights’ five athletic fields or explore the local wetlands along
a one-mile boardwalk and gravel walking trail that surrounds the Little Youghiogheny River. PHOTO BY SARAH DUCK
MOUNTAIN LAKE PARK
This town’s historic district features beautifully preserved Victorian-style homes. Pick up
a walking tour map at Town Hall and explore at your own pace, or view historic memorabilia at the town museum. Trolley tours are also available on select dates. Each July, Mountain Lake Park hosts the Victorian Chautauqua Festival. Before you leave, stop by the Simon Pearce Factory Outlet for a glassblowing demonstration!
PHOTO COURTESY OF TOWN OF MOUNTAIN LAKE PARK
OAKLAND
The county seat offers a variety of shopping and dining options,
as well as several museums. You can’t
miss the B&O Museum, which greets visitors with a historic steam engine and other rail carriages in front of the beautifully restored station house. Mountain Fresh Farmers Markets are held year-round in Oakland, and local hiking destinations include Swallow Falls State Park and Herrington Manor State Park. PHOTO BY MARCIA WARNICK
PHOTO BY SARAH DUCK
DEER PARK
Sample homemade cheeses at FireFly Farms Market, taste fresh cider at Branch Bender Cidery,
Kitzmiller’s botanical garden makes for a lovely stroll, as does the town’s River Walk. Off-road vehicle
Savor French
cuisine or enjoy beautiful historic accommodations at The Deer Park Inn. The
town also houses two stops on the Garrett County Barn Quilt Trail. And did you know that Deer Park is famous for being the original home and namesake of Deer Park Water? PHOTO BY SARAH DUCK
FRIENDSVILLE
Friendsville’s Youghiogheny River is a world-class rafting and kayaking destination. But
those who prefer their outdoor recreation
a little more low-key will love hiking (or fishing) on the scenic Kendall Trail. Each June, stop by Friendsville for the Garrett County Celtic Festival. Deep Creek Cellars, Garrett County’s only winery, can also be found here. PHOTO BY SARAH DUCK
GRANTSVILLE
Are you a fly-fishing aficionado? Look no further for the perfect spot than Casselman River Bridge State
Park near Grantsville. Those who love to support local artists should make a stop
at Spruce Forest Artisan Village. Some of Garrett County’s most scenic views can be found in Grantsville as well, at Monroe Run Overlook and Meadow Mountain Overlook. PHOTO BY SARAH DUCK
www.visitdeepcreek.com 35
The museum is affiliated with the Garrett County Historical Society, which also runs two other museums:
• 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.
The French and Indian War marked a 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).