| Maryland (Allegany County), Cumberland — "Braddock's Road" |
| | Near this point on June 10, 1755, after nearly a month's delay at Fort Cumberland, Braddock's troops started toward Fort Duquesne to wrest it from the French. On July 9, 1755, he met his terrible death at the Monongahela. — Map (db m31908) HM |
| Maryland (Allegany County), Cumberland — “The Narrows” |
| | One of the most picturesque spots around Cumberland, discovered by Spendelow after the road over Wills Mountain had been constructed by General Braddock. Adopted as the route of the Cumberland Road (The National Road) 1833. The old stone bridge across Wills Creek was used from 1834 to 1932. — Map (db m4927) HM |
| Maryland (Allegany County), Cumberland — Abandonment of Ft. Cumberland — Fort Cumberland Trail |
| | Fort Cumberland was garrisoned from 1754 to 1765. During this period, there was bickering between Maryland and Virginia as to how the fort should be maintained and whose control it was under. In early 1756, Colonel Washington favored a small garrison here to protect the fort, gather intelligence, and cover the forces sent to the Ohio Valley. After this time, he favored abandoning the fort, as it was no deterrent to the Indians but a continual drain on his command's resources. Lt. Governor . . . — Map (db m17708) HM |
| Maryland (Allegany County), Cumberland — Allegany County |
| | Created by Act of December 25, 1789 First court held April 25, 1791, at home of John Graham North Mechanic Street - Andrew Bruce, Judge Second court held at Faw's Tavern, Greene Street First Court House, just opposite, Act of 1793 • occupied 1799 — Map (db m17452) HM |
| Maryland (Allegany County), Cumberland — Allegany County Library — Cumberland Free Public Library |
| | Top Name of Cumberland Free Public Library changed to Allegany County Library July 1, 1960 Bottom 1798 • First public school in Western Maryland incorporated under Act of 1798 as "Visitors of Allegany County School." 1824 • School name changed to "Trustees of Allegany County School" by act of 1824. The popular name was "The Allegany County Academy" 1849 • The present building was erected by popular subscription. 1929 • The school - 121 years old - was closed. March 9, 1934 • Building leased in . . . — Map (db m17676) HM |
| Maryland (Allegany County), Cumberland — Alteration of the Site — Fort Cumberland Trail |
| | Many changes have been made to the landscape on which Fort Cumberland stood. The street behind you was cut from the hillside and the earth removed used by the canal company. the bluff to your left in front of the church once extended on a nearly level plane. These changes in the terrain were made in the mid 1800's when the present church was built and the street laid. the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal was completed in October, 1850, and Emmanuel Episcopal Church one year later. There are several . . . — Map (db m18757) HM |
| Maryland (Allegany County), Cumberland — Capture of Generals — Capture of Generals B.F. Kelly and George Crook — Nights, February 21–22, 1865 |
| | A company of Confederates, young men from Cumberland, Maryland, Hampshire and Hardy Counties, West Virginia, captured several picket posts, obtained the countersign “Bulls Gap,” rode into the city, captured two commanding Union Generals, Kelly and Crook, and Adj. General Thayer Melvin, and sent them to Richmond, Virginia, as prisoners of war, without firing a shot.
General Crook was captured in this building, then known as “Revere House.” Generals Kelly and Melvin . . . — Map (db m490) HM |
| Maryland (Allegany County), Cumberland — Civil War in Allegany County — Strategic Location |
| | During the Civil War, thousands of
United States soldiers were stationed
here in Cumberland and Allegany
County to guard against raids and
incursions by Confederate forces.
Located only about 130 miles from
the capital at Washington. D.C.,
and a short march from Winchester,
Virginia, and Romney, West Virginia,
at the lower end of the Shenandoah
Valley, this area was strategically important to both sides in the conflict. Here in Cumberland was the
western terminus of the . . . — Map (db m1049) HM |
| Maryland (Allegany County), Cumberland — Col. Joshua Fry |
| | Memorial in honor of Col. Joshua Fry Born c. 1700 in England 1731 • Professor of mathematics at William and Mary College, Planter in Albemarle County, Virginia, Member of House of Burgesses, First presiding judge of Albemarle County, Commander of militia, Surveyor 1746-51 • Col. Fry and Peter Jefferson surveyed and produced first map of Virginia. 1752 • Joshua Fry, Lunsford Lomax and James Patton were chosen to make a treaty with the Six Nations at Logstown (Lancaster)which permitted the . . . — Map (db m54023) HM |
| Maryland (Allegany County), Cumberland — Col. Thomas Cresap |
| | In Memory of Col. Thomas Cresap Pathfinder - Pioneer - Patriot - Built the first home and fort in this county at Oldtown, about 1740 Surveyed the first trail to the west, starting near this spot in 1751 His Sons - - - Daniel Cresap for whom Dan's Mountain is named Thomas Cresap, Jr. killed in battle with the indians on Savage Mountain Michael Cresap Captain in Dunmore's War, first captain in rifle battalions, Revolutionary War, whose grave is in Trinity Churchyard New York City . . . — Map (db m17778) HM |
| Maryland (Allegany County), Cumberland — Cumberland — Strategic Center |
| | In 1860, Cumberland was a small town of 7,302 residents, most of whom lived in the valley of Will’s Creek. The town was an important stop on the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad and the western terminus of the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal. When the Civil War began in 1861, some residents supported the United States and others the Confederacy. Outright dissention ceased when Union forces garrisoned the town in June. Cumberland soon became the administrative center for the defense of the western section . . . — Map (db m14038) HM |
| Maryland (Allegany County), Cumberland — Cumberland — Strategic Center |
| | In 1860, Cumberland was a small town of 7,302 residents, most of whom lived in the valley of Will’s Creek. The town was an important stop on the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad and the western terminus of the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal. When the Civil War began in 1861, some residents supported the United States and others the Confederacy. Outright dissension ceased when Union forces garrisoned the town in June.
Cumberland soon became the administrative center for the defense of the western . . . — Map (db m17674) HM |
| Maryland (Allegany County), Cumberland — Cumberland Gateway Westward — Fort Cumberland Trail |
| | Will's Creek Settlement, later known as Cumberland, served as a major gateway for trade, military campaigns against the French, and settlement beyond the mountains in our growing nation. "The New Storehouses" of the Ohio Company were across the river beyond the present highway bridge. The streams before you, the Caiuctucuc (Wills Creek) to your left and the Cohongaronta (Potomac River) to the front and right, were a source of food and transportation. Near this spot, in January, 1755, Governor . . . — Map (db m17783) HM |
| Maryland (Allegany County), Cumberland — Famous Personalities at Fort Cumberland — Fort Cumberland Trail |
| | Horatio Sharpe Lived: 1718-1790. Here as Governor of Maryland and the commander of the fort. Fort Frederick was built by his direction. Governor: 1753-1769. Sharpsburg, Md., was named in his honor. Daniel Boone Lived: 1734-1820. Here as a teamster with Braddock's forces, blazed the Wilderness Road to Kentucky. A famous frontiersman and Ky. legislator. Namesake: Boonesboro. Henry Lee Lived: 1756-1818. Here as Governor of Va. and commander of forces against the Whiskey Rebellion. . . . — Map (db m17681) HM |
| Maryland (Allegany County), Cumberland — Folck's Mill |
| | Here in Evitts Creek Valley on August 1, 1864, General McCausland's Confederate cavalry, returning after burning Chambersburg, was surprised by General Kelley's Union troops from Cumberland. The Confederates were repulsed and retreated across the Potomac at Oldtown. — Map (db m17903) HM |
| Maryland (Allegany County), Cumberland — Folck's Mill |
| | Here in Evitts Creek Valley
on August 1, 1864,
General McCausland's Confederate
cavalry, returning after burning
Chambersburg, was surprised by
General Kelley's Union troops from
Cumberland. The Confederates
were repulsed and retreated across
the Potomac at Oldtown. — Map (db m19320) HM |
| Maryland (Allegany County), Cumberland — Folck's Mill — Confederate Raid |
| | Late in July 1864, Confederate Gen. John C. McCausland led his two cavalry brigades (about 2,800 men) northward into Pennsylvania and Maryland to capture Chambersburg and Cumberland and either collect a ransom or burn the towns. McCausland burned Chambersburg on July 31. The next day, his raiders reached the National Pike and rode toward Cumberland. Union Gen. William W. Averell led 2,000 cavalrymen in pursuit. Union Gen. Benjamin F. Kelley hurriedly organized Cumberland’s defenses. He . . . — Map (db m19328) HM |
| Maryland (Allegany County), Cumberland — Fort Cumberland Trail — A new opportunity for outdoor recreation — Fort Cumberland Trail |
| | This is an American Revolution bicentennial project to permanently record the history of one of the City of Cumberland's most historic sites, Fort Cumberland. The beautiful interpretive plaques tell the story and the attractive white rocks mark the boundaries of the fort according to Will Lowdermilk's "History of Cumberland." While persons learn, they will also enjoy walking in the wonderful outdoors of Cumberland. This was truly a cooperative project for the entire area and credit for . . . — Map (db m17714) HM |
| Maryland (Allegany County), Cumberland — French and Indian War — Fort Cumberland Trail |
| | "A volley fired by a young Virginian in the backwoods of America set the world on fire"
Fort Cumberland was built as a direct result of hostilities between the French and British over control of the Ohio Valley. The British king granted land in that area to The Ohio Company and settlers moved to the area. The French began forcing them out leading to armed hostilities. Actions taken by Governor Duquesne of New France and Lt. Governor Dinwiddie of Virginia and their representatives caused . . . — Map (db m17683) HM |
| Maryland (Allegany County), Cumberland — George Washington at Will’s Creek — Fort Cumberland Trail |
| | Our founding father spent much time in this vicinity when a young man as surveyor, ambassador, aide-de-camp to General Braddock, and commander of Virginia military forces. This cabin served as his headquarters during part of this time. Young George was a skilled surveyor by the age of sixteen. He assisted in laying out the town of Alexandria, Virginia, and came to our area in 1748 to survey and layout the Fairfax manors in the South Branch Valley. He slept in a "straw bed" with lice and fleas . . . — Map (db m17719) HM |
| Maryland (Allegany County), Cumberland — Gettysburg Campaign — Invasion & Retreat |
| | After stunning victories at Fredericksburg and Chancellorsville, Virginia, early in May 1863, Confederate Gen. Robert E. Lee carried the war through Maryland, across the Mason and Dixon Line and into Pennsylvania. His infantry marched north through the Shenandoah Valley and western Maryland as his cavalry, led by Gen. J.E.B. Stuart, harassed Union supply lines to the east. Union Gen. Joseph Hooker, replaced on June 28 by Gen. George G. Meade, led the Army of the Potomac from the Washington . . . — Map (db m1051) HM |
| Maryland (Allegany County), Cumberland — Gov. Lloyd Lowndes 1845 - 1905 — 1842 Home |
| | Site
1842 Home Gov. Lloyd Lowndes 1845 - 1905 Only person from Allegany County elected Governor of Maryland Served from 1895 to 1900 — Map (db m17673) HM |
| Maryland (Allegany County), Cumberland — Headquarters of George Washington — On this Site Originally Stood the |
| | Headquarters of George Washington, since removed to Riverside Park. He was entertained at David Lynn's house (which later occupied this site) when he came here in 1794 to review the troops during the Whisky Rebellion. — Map (db m17451) HM |
| Maryland (Allegany County), Cumberland — Headquarters of George Washington |
| | As colonel under General Braddock at Fort Cumberland during the French and Indian War 1755 - 1758 and as Commander-in-Chief of the American Army in 1794Presented to the City of Cumberland by James Walter Thomas, L.L.D.; Litt.D. dedicated April 21, 1921 in the presence of General John J. Pershing Commander of American Armies Major C.E.D. Bridges Military Attache of British Embassy Hon. Albert C. Ritchie Governor of Maryland Dr. Thomas W. Koon Mayor of Cumberland Judge . . . — Map (db m17724) HM |
| Maryland (Allegany County), Cumberland — Jane Frazier |
| | Wife of Lieut. John Frazier was captured by Indians near this spot in October 1755 and taken to the Miami River. She escaped after eighteen months and made her way back to her home. — Map (db m402) HM |
| Maryland (Allegany County), Cumberland — McNeill’s Raid — Capture of Crook and Kelly |
| | In the predawn darkness of February 21, 1865, Confederate Lt. Jesse McNeill and his partisan (guerrilla) rangers rode into Cumberland from the west on this road. Unlike most raiders
who targeted the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad for attack, McNeill had other targets in mind: Union Gens. Benjamin F. Kelley, who commanded the troops guarding the railroad, and George Crook.
McNeill's men overpowered two guard
units and deceived others who challenged them
by claiming, to be scouts from New . . . — Map (db m716) HM |
| Maryland (Allegany County), Cumberland — Military Hospital |
| | On this site stood the First Presbyterian Church. During the Civil War it was used as a military hospital — Map (db m19336) HM |
| Maryland (Allegany County), Cumberland — On This Site Stood Metro Clothes |
| | Owned and managed by Joseph Feldstein, Metro Clothes was established in 1932 and originally located across the street. The business relocated to this site after the 1936 flood. Metro Clothes was a leading outfitter in men’s and boys’ clothing and uniforms for over fifty years until its closing in 1984. The Metro Clothes building was razed in 1990. — Map (db m58358) HM |
| Maryland (Allegany County), Cumberland — Our Local Indian Heritage — Fort Cumberland Trail |
| | The land west of the Allegheny Mountains was exclusively the Indians until the mid 1700's. The local Indians were part of the Shawanese tribe and a sub-division of the Algonquin Nation-one of the most warlike. With the coming of the white man, most of these Indians left the local area before 1751 and moved westward. Roving bands of other Indians were found here when the white settlers began moving in. Relics of these Indians have been found along area streams and are made of stone or bone. . . . — Map (db m18724) HM |
| Maryland (Allegany County), Cumberland — Palisado Fort or Stockade — Fort Cumberland Trail |
| | Most of the early frontier forts were of the palisado type. Before you is a small sample of this type construction. A palisade is a fence of pales or stakes set firmly in the ground, as for enclosure or defense. The word usage in the 1700's was palisado fort while later usage in the 1800's referred to stockade fort. A stockade is defined as a defensive barrier made of strong posts or timbers fixed upright in the ground. Fort Cumberland and Fort Necessity were palisado works. Fort Necessity . . . — Map (db m17782) HM |
| Maryland (Allegany County), Cumberland — Perimeter of the Fort — Fort Cumberland Trail |
| | You stand upon historic ground within the north wall of Fort Cumberland. Your location (X) is shown on the diagram. Lines of barracks (I), parallel with the street, were to your front and in the rear along the line of white rocks in the street. The land was fairly level then on top of a hill extending out from the church property in front of you. The fort here was a palisado work with logs stripped and pinned together and rising to a height of twelve feet. Fort Cumberland mainly served as a . . . — Map (db m18758) HM |
| Maryland (Allegany County), Cumberland — President Washington's Last Visit - 1794 |
| | Center Plaque
On October 16, 1794, President George Washington arrived in Cumberland to review about 5,000 troops of the Maryland and Virginia militia gathered here during th Whiskey Rebellion. A few days later, this militia army assembled upon the parade ground of old Fort Cumberland, where the Allegany County Courthouse now stands. The President appeared dressed in his full military uniform, and the entire population of the town was present to witness this historic event.
General . . . — Map (db m17456) HM |
| Maryland (Allegany County), Cumberland — Riverside Park |
| | Land for this park was donated to the city in 1893. The park formerly included the site of the bridge approached to your right and an area extending along the river bank upstream. Then, there were extensive walkways, benches, flowerbeds, a viewing fountain, a boat dock, and a bandstand. Concerts were given during the summer on Sundays. The park was a focal point of activity. Excursion boats operated up the Potomac River from the park until 1924. The boats were operated by Frederick "Buck" . . . — Map (db m17711) HM |
| Maryland (Allegany County), Cumberland — Site of Bridge 1834 |
| | Built by Thomas Fealy Lieut. Jno. Pickell U.S. Engineer H. M. Pettit Ass’t Supd’t. — Map (db m4928) HM |
| Maryland (Allegany County), Cumberland — Site of Fort Cumberland |
| | The store houses of The Ohio Company were first located near this point. In 1754 the first fort (called Mt. Pleasant) was built. Gen'l Edward Braddock enlarged the fort in 1755 and renamed it after his friend the Duke of Cumberland. — Map (db m53575) HM |
| Maryland (Allegany County), Cumberland — The First Iron Rails |
| | The first iron rails made in the United States were manufactured in 1844 at Mount Savage. Before that time all iron rails were imported from England. — Map (db m445) HM |
| Maryland (Allegany County), Cumberland — The First National Bank and Trust Company of Western Maryland |
| | was originally chartered as the Cumberland Bank of Alleghany by an act of the 1811 Maryland Legislature and opened for business April 1, 1812. this is the oldest bank in Western Maryland and the second oldest National Bank in the state. Local architect Bruce Price designed this main banking house in the German Byzantine-Romanesque style and was completed c1893. It was then occupied by the former Second National Bank of Cumberland until 1963. The First National Bank and Trust Company of Western . . . — Map (db m19337) HM |
| Maryland (Allegany County), Cumberland — The Fort Proper — Fort Cumberland Trail |
| | The fort proper was the bastioned work at the west end of the fort. It was to your left (primarily on the site of the Church of Christ Scientist). Besides the four bastions (b) and the joining walls, there were four buildings for provisions (6), two guardrooms (7), the commander's quarter (5), the fort parade ground (8), the sally port (SP: gate), and the main gate (MG). More facilities, four more gates (g), and barracks for 200 men were in the east end of Fort Cumberland.
Additional . . . — Map (db m17679) HM |
| Maryland (Allegany County), Cumberland — The Narrows — An Easier Route for the National Road |
| | At first, the National Road climbed west from Cumberland up and over Haystack Mountain. In the 1830s, when the road was rebuilt, a new route was chosen. It would be a mile longer but the grade was substantially decreased so that horse teams could pull twice the weight. The new route took advantage of the Narrows, a natural gorge cut by Wills Creek between Haystack Mountain and Wills Mountain. Traffic along the National Road grew rapidly when the new route was completed in 1834 and a new bridge . . . — Map (db m4926) HM |
| Maryland (Allegany County), Cumberland — The National Road — (Called The Cumberland Road) |
| | Was the first of the internal improvements undertaken by the U.S. Government. Surveys were authorized in 1806 over the route of “Braddock’s Road,” which followed “Nemacolin’s Path,” an Indian trail, over which George Washington traveled in 1754 to Fort LeBoeuf. — Map (db m444) HM |
| Maryland (Allegany County), Cumberland — The Old National Pike — Fort Cumberland Trail |
| | The National Pike was also called the National Road (used national funds) or the Cumberland Road (began in Cumberland). Behind you and to the right along the base of the hill, were the storehouses of The Ohio Company. The earliest rails were made by Indians. Christopher Gist followed these Indian trails while exploring for The Ohio Company. In 1751, Gist and the Indian man Nemacolin laid the course of a road from Will's Creek to the site of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. It was known as the . . . — Map (db m18728) HM |
| Maryland (Allegany County), Cumberland — The Parade Ground of Fort Cumberland — Occupied this site 1755 |
| | Here the Indian envoys were received before Braddock left for his defeat. In 1756-58 the garrison under Col. Washington was still reviewed here. — Map (db m17453) HM |
| Maryland (Allegany County), Cumberland — This Tablet Marks the Site of Old Fort Cumberland |
| | Which was built in 1755 by order of the British Government and named in honor of the Duke of Cumberland, Captain General of the British Army. It was the base of military operations of General Edward Braddock and Colonel George Washington in the French and Indian War. — Map (db m18733) HM |
| Maryland (Allegany County), Cumberland — Trenches and Tunnels / Army Discipline — Fort Cumberland Trail |
| | Trenches and Tunnels It was common for forts of this period to have rifle pits or trenches outside the walls as a line of first defense. Fort Cumberland was likely no exception. However, the excavations most people refer to apparently had other purposes than this. Two water gates were along the palisade walls near the point of the fort. Trenches, tunnels, or both ran from these toward the creek below. They were necessary to protect men going for water or to the storehouses located down the . . . — Map (db m17684) HM |
| Maryland (Allegany County), Cumberland — Washington’s Road |
| | By order of Colonel Bouquet, George Washington’s troops opened this road from Fort Cumberland to Reas-town (Bedford, Pa.) during July 1758. Bouquet and Washington conferred half way between these places July 30, 1758. — Map (db m6106) HM |
| Maryland (Allegany County), Cumberland — Western Maryland Railway Station |
| | Opened July 1913
National Register of Historic Places
Listed June 1973
Presented by Preservation Society of Allegany County
September 1987 — Map (db m60547) HM |
| Maryland (Allegany County), Cumberland — Where the Road Began — The Historic National Road - The Road That Built the Nation |
| | You are standing at the starting point of this country's first federal road building project, the National Road. A vision of George Washington as a means to develop the continent and to unite the country, his idea was championed by Thomas Jefferson and authorized by Congress in 1806. Nestled in the Allegheny Mountains, Cumberland sat on the edge of the frontier in the early 19th century. Crossing the mountainous landscape was challenging. The eastern continental divide was a barrier for . . . — Map (db m17716) HM |
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