Frostburg in Allegany County, Maryland — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Frostburg
The Frost Family Legacy
| | The Road That Built The Nation | |
Years before St. Michael's Church was built, Meshach Frost and his wife Catherine purchased this property in 1812. When the Frosts bought the property, construction of the National Road was already underway. They soon found they were feeding and housing laborers working on the road.
Once the National Road was completed through western Maryland, the Frosts' Highland Hall became a popular stop where travelers changed horses and relayed the mail and freight.
Originally called Mount Pleasant, the name changed to Frost Town and then Frostburg in honor of Meshach Frost, who was also postmaster. Soon after, coal was found nearby, and the town's population exploded. Mine workers, goods and supplies arrived by way of the National Road. Main Street, the National Road through Frostburg, soon developed into busy commercial district.
[Captions:]
Meshach and Catherine Frost. The Frost family not only founded Frostburg, but also was instrumental in developing the coal industry that kept the town prosperous after the railroad eclipsed travel along the National Road.
Frostburg's Main Street is decorated for a patriotic holiday in 1912. Note the power and telephone lines, the paved street and the trolley tracks, all features of an up-to-date 20th century community.
Erected by America's
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Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Communications • Natural Resources • Railroads & Streetcars • Roads & Vehicles • Settlements & Settlers. In addition, it is included in the Postal Mail and Philately, and the The Historic National Road series lists. A significant historical year for this entry is 1812.
Location. 39° 39.417′ N, 78° 55.647′ W. Marker is in Frostburg, Maryland, in Allegany County. It is on East Main Street (Alternate U.S. 40) 0.1 miles west of Depot Terrace, on the right when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 37 E Main St, Frostburg MD 21532, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in the Baltimore Metro Region and in Western Maryland. It is also in the American Mid-Atlantic, in Appalachia, and specifically in Northern Appalachia. Globally, it is in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once one of the original Thirteen Colonies.
Other nearby markers. At
Other markers no longer nearby. Frostburg (has been replaced with this marker); a different marker also named Frostburg (was about 600 feet away but has been replaced with another marker now near it).
Related marker. Click here for another marker that is related to this marker. This marker has replaced the linked marker, which had different subtitles.
Credits. This page was last revised on September 29, 2025. It was originally submitted on June 13, 2022, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 393 times since then and 15 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on June 13, 2022, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.
