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McHenry in Garrett County, Maryland — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
 

Boats of Deep Creek Lake

Deep Creek Lake 100 Years

— 1925 • 2025 —

 
 
Boats of Deep Creek Lake Marker image. Click for full size.
Photographed by Bradley Owen, June 12, 2025
1. Boats of Deep Creek Lake Marker
Inscription.
Deep Creek Lake is a stunning body of water that offers a paradise for boating enthusiasts. Whether you're an experienced sailor, a casual cruiser, a water sports enthusiast, or someone eager to simply explore, Deep Creek Lake provides endless opportunities for adventure and relaxation on the water.

When Deep Creek Lake was first created, boats were simpler—canoes, rowboats, small sailboats, and powered craft with then-impressive outboard engines of up to 22 horsepower! Over time, boating on the lake has of course evolved, reflecting decades of technological advancements and changing preferences. Today’s boats feature fiberglass hulls, powerful engines, and luxurious amenities. On any given day, the lake hosts a mix of canoes, kayaks, and sailboats, alongside a wide variety of powered craft. These include runabouts, ski boats, wake boats, bass boats, jet skis, and pontoon boats, all captained by those enjoying the beauty and excitement of Deep Creek Lake. Many boats are privately-owned, but rentals are very popular with visitors.

And, if you're lucky, you may see some very special, sentimental favorites like the
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Swan Boat. Originally launched in 1962 and rebuilt in 1999, the Swan boat has ferried over a thousand excited children around the lake over the years.

The marinas that sell and service the boats of the lake have been an integral part of Deep Creek Lake’s history, evolving alongside the lake’s development as a premier recreational destination. As boating and fishing gained popularity, early marinas began to appear, offering boat rentals, docking facilities, and supplies to visitors. Over the decades, these marinas expanded to cater to growing demand, adding services like fuel stations, repair shops, and retail stores for water sports equipment. Today, Deep Creek Lake boasts a range of marinas, each contributing to the area’s vibrant lake culture and providing essential access points for residents and tourists to enjoy the water. Their enduring presence reflects the lake’s transition from an industrial project to a cherished recreational landmark.

(Captions):

"The Dreamer" - the first tour boat on the lake, operated by the Ralleys in the late 1930s

Even without today's high-powered boats, people have been enjoying the lake since it was built

A classic wooden-hulled inboard

Luxury vessels now seen on the lake include wake boats (top) and pontoons (bottom)

"The Swan" originally built by local inventor David Noel (Obie) Obenshian with articulated neck and beak.

"The Deep Creek Dragon" a customized pram sailboat, outfitted to distribute popsicles along the shoreline at Turkey Neck

The G&S Coal Company ski pyramid during a Deep Creek Lake Water Ski Team show in the 1960s

Wenzel Boats were manufactured and sold at Deep Creek Lake

Advertisement from the 1955 Deep Creek Lake and Garrett County Visitor's Guide

In 1965 Johnny's Bait House offered the first dockside pay phone in Maryland

 
Erected 2025
Boats of Deep Creek Lake Marker image. Click for full size.
Photographed by Bradley Owen, June 12, 2025
2. Boats of Deep Creek Lake Marker
by Deep Creek Lake Centennial Committee.
 
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: CommunicationsEntertainmentIndustry & CommerceWaterways & Vessels. A significant historical year for this entry is 1962.
 
Location. 39° 33.23′ N, 79° 21.071′ W. Marker is in McHenry, Maryland, in Garrett County. It is on Deep Creek Drive 0.3 miles north of Fort Drive, on the left when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1763 Deep Creek Drive, Mc Henry MD 21541, 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 least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: In Honor and Remembrance (about 700 feet away, measured in a direct line); Deep Creek Volunteer Fire Company
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(about 700 feet away); Wisp Ski Resort (approx. Ό mile away); African American History (approx. 0.3 miles away); Agriculture and Farming (approx. 0.4 miles away); Performing Arts & Culture (approx. half a mile away); Before Deep Creek Lake (approx. half a mile away); Meshach Browning (approx. 0.6 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in McHenry.
 
Another marker is no longer nearby. Col. James McHenry of Baltimore (was approx. half a mile away but has been confirmed missing).
 
 
Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2025. It was originally submitted on June 15, 2025, by Bradley Owen of Morgantown, West Virginia. This page has been viewed 265 times since then and 45 times this year. Photos:   1, 2. submitted on June 16, 2025, by Bradley Owen of Morgantown, West Virginia.
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Jul. 25, 2026