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

African American History

— Hidden Heritage of Garrett County —

Photographed by Bradley Owen, June 12, 2025

1. African American History Marker

Inscription.

African American History. . , Delaware, Algonquian, and Shawnee migrated spring through fall in camps on paths worn by migrating game Fur traders followed, then settlers. Garrett County, Maryland was officially established in 1872 from Allegany County, with the town of Oakland selected to serve as its seat of government. It is documented that the Bethel African Methodist Episcopal (A.Μ.Ε.) church existed within Oakland from the late nineteenth century through the early twentieth century. A hand-drawn 1890 map by Lillian Sincell at the Garrett County Historical Society identifies a "primitively made (a basic but sound structure constructed with basic and available materials and tools) colored church" on the corner of Fifth and High Streets. A professionally made lithograph of the town from 1906, depicts the structure standing alone on the corner lot. This site is now occupied by a private residence. The church building itself was relocated in the 1930s to a family farm south of Oakland along Mason School Road, where it is now used as a workshop for the repair of buggies and wagons. An interpretive marker on-site placed by the Garrett County Historical Society identifies the building, as follows., "The Only AFRICAN-AMERICAN CHURCH In Garrett County Removed To This Site From Oakland About 1934 And Used As A Carriage Shop Garrett County Historical Society.", The congregation of Bethel AME Church helped Garrett County to grow and prosper working with the B&O Railroad and the hotels and business from the emergence of train travel. A neighborhood known as Catonsville in Oakland was the home for some of the local African American community. Ongoing, historical research will determine factors that triggered the exodus of African Americans from Garrett County, beginning with the congregation in the 1920s. However, it is believed that loss of employment from reductions in train travel and shuttered resorts hotels, the presence of a local chapter of the Ku Klux Klan, and sundown laws were threatening the wellbeing of African Americans

Delaware, Algonquian, and Shawnee migrated spring through fall in camps on paths worn by migrating game Fur traders followed, then settlers. Garrett County, Maryland was officially established in 1872 from Allegany County, with the town of Oakland selected to serve as its seat of government. It is documented that the Bethel African Methodist Episcopal (A.Μ.Ε.) church existed within Oakland from the late nineteenth century through the early twentieth century. A hand-drawn 1890 map by Lillian Sincell at the Garrett County Historical Society identifies a "primitively made (a basic but sound structure constructed with basic and available materials and tools) colored church" on the corner of Fifth and High Streets. A professionally made lithograph of the town from 1906, depicts the structure standing alone on the corner lot. This site is now occupied by a private residence. The church building itself was relocated in the 1930s to a family farm south of Oakland along Mason School Road, where it is now used as a workshop for the repair of buggies and wagons. An interpretive marker on-site placed by the Garrett County

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Historical Society identifies the building, as follows.

"The Only AFRICAN-AMERICAN CHURCH In Garrett County Removed To This Site From Oakland About 1934 And Used As A Carriage Shop Garrett County Historical Society."

The congregation of Bethel AME Church helped Garrett County to grow and prosper working with the B&O Railroad and the hotels and business from the emergence of train travel. A neighborhood known as Catonsville in Oakland was the home for some of the local African American community. Ongoing, historical research will determine factors that triggered the exodus of African Americans from Garrett County, beginning with the congregation in the 1920s. However, it is believed that loss of employment from reductions in train travel and shuttered resorts hotels, the presence of a local chapter of the Ku Klux Klan, and sundown laws were threatening the wellbeing of African Americans

Erected 2022 by Garrett College.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Industry & Commerce • Political Subdivisions • Religion & Religious Structures. In addition,

Photographed by Bradley Owen, June 12, 2025

2. African American History Marker

it is included in the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad (B&O) series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1872.

Location. 39° 33.479′ N, 79° 21.01′ W. Marker is in McHenry, Maryland, in Garrett County. It is on Mosser Road 0.2 miles east of Garrett Highway (U.S. 219), on the right when traveling east. Marker is located on the paved walking trail beside Mosser Road. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 2 Mosser Road, 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: Wisp Ski Resort (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Deep Creek Volunteer Fire Company (approx. 0.2 miles away); In Honor and Remembrance (approx. 0.2 miles away);

The Bethel African Methodist Episcopal (A.Μ.Ε.) Church image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Bradley Owen, August 28, 2025

3. The Bethel African Methodist Episcopal (A.Μ.Ε.) Church

The church has been relocated once again and now stands on the property of the Bethel Center, 307 G Street, Mountain Lake Park, MD. It has been restored, but there is no historical marker at the site.

Agriculture and Farming (approx. 0.2 miles away); Performing Arts & Culture (approx. ¼ mile away); Boats of Deep Creek Lake (approx. 0.3 miles away); Meshach Browning (approx. 0.4 miles away); An Attraction for Visitors (approx. half a mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in McHenry.

Another marker is no longer nearby. The National Road (was approx. half a mile away but has been replaced with another marker now near it).

Credits. This page was last revised on August 29, 2025. It was originally submitted on June 17, 2025, by Bradley Owen of Morgantown, West Virginia. This page has been viewed 154 times since then and 22 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on June 17, 2025, by Bradley Owen of Morgantown, West Virginia. 3. submitted on August 29, 2025, by Bradley Owen of Morgantown, West Virginia.