Mountain Lake Park in Garrett County, Maryland — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
You Were Gone Before We Knew It
The Childrens Monument
Photographed by J. J. Prats, August 12, 2006
1. Brass Tablet at Base of Sculpture
No long farewell embraces,
No time to say goodbye,
You were gone before we knew it.
And no matter how we try,
Our tears cant build a stairway,
Nor our memories a lane,
That reaches up to Heaven,
To bring you home again.
So with each days sunrise,
Each spring with flowers new,
We thank God for His blessings,
Those precious days with you.
Dedicated to the Memory of the Children who died on September 10, 1959, at the Mountain Lake Park railroad crossing on their way to school. May their families and friends know the Lords peace.
Janet Deem, 12 Nancy Deem, 15 Merle Harvey, 11 Nancy Harvey, 12 Richard Hindle, 11 Lee Hoffman, 11 Shirley Lee, 12
Erected 2004 by Heather Davenport and Holly Hoffman, siblings of Lee; Don Sincell in conjunction with Mountain Lake Park Mayor and Town Council.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Disasters • Notable Events • Railroads & Streetcars. In addition, it is included in the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad (B&O) series list. A significant historical date for this entry is September 10, 1959.
Location. 39° 23.849′ N, 79° 22.903′ W. Marker
this page online
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 the North Atlantic Region, 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 least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Flag Monument (a few steps from this marker); The Amphitheater (a few steps from this marker); Victorian Chautauqua (within shouting distance of this marker); The Assembly Hall (within shouting distance of this marker); The Colonial (about 700 feet away, measured in a direct line); Garrett County's Honored War Dead (approx. 0.2 miles away); Julia Walker Ruhl (approx. 0.2 miles away); Hotel Paradise (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Mountain Lake Park.
Additional keywords. B&O Baltimore & Ohio Railroad Crossing Accident
Photographed by J. J. Prats, October 19, 2006
2. The Children's Monument Sculpture
Photographed by J. J. Prats, October 19, 2006
3. Close Up of Sculpture
Photographed by J. J. Prats, October 19, 2006
4. Close Up of Sculpture
Photographed by J. J. Prats, October 19, 2006
5. You Were Gone Before We Knew It Marker
Photographed by J. J. Prats, October 19, 2006
6. Close Up of Sculpture
Photographed by J. J. Prats, October 19, 2006
7. Close Up of Sculpture
Photographed by J. J. Prats, October 19, 2006
8. Close Up of Sculpture
Photographed by J. J. Prats, October 19, 2006
9. Close Up of Sculpture
Credits. This page was last revised on June 4, 2025. It was originally submitted on August 12, 2006, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio. This page has been viewed 5,408 times since then and 33 times this year. Last updated on June 4, 2025, by Holly C Hoffman of Carlisle, Pennsylvania. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on August 12, 2006, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio. 4, 5, 6, 7, 8. submitted on October 19, 2006, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio. 9. submitted on August 12, 2006, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.
Editor’s want-list for this marker. Name of sculptor • Who commissioned and erected the sculpture, and when • Author or source of the poem • Can you help?
