Near Hancock in Washington County, Maryland — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
The Challenge of Sideling Hill
| | The Historic National Road - The Road That Built The Nation | |
Photographed by J. J. Prats, August 13, 2006
1. The Challenge of Sideling Hill Marker
Our pleasure trips usually stopped at the top of the mountain because of the hairpin turn to the right that dropped into a severely sharp curve.
This route is an ancient one. Our traveling ancestors pushed across, around and finally through this mountain. Sideling Hill, always a steep and dangerous climb, first showed up on a 1755 map as Side Long Hill.
When frontiersman Thomas Cresap moved up the Potomac Valley, he hired local Indians to widen the trail over the mountain for his wagons.
During the heyday of the National Road, stagecoaches crashed and passengers were killed on the slope near Hancock.
Throughout the 1930s, the 40 miles to Cumberland on US 40 was still considered a long hard trip. There were five mountains to go over - from east to west - Sideling Hill, Town Hill Mountain, Green Ridge, Polish and Martins Mountain.
With construction of I-68, engineers finally tamed this 350
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As evidenced by this early 20th century advertisement, automobile trips on narrow, steep roads without guardrails, could be a dangerous business. Local historian Emily Leatherman recalled, Rainy days were disastrous. We could watch the cars go to the doctors office across the street. They had slid off the road into the ditches or trees.
The deepest road cut in Maryland history moved 4.5 million cubic yards of rock and dirt.
Erected by America's Byways.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Indigenous Peoples and Communities • Roads & Vehicles •
Photographed by J. J. Prats, August 13, 2006
2. National Road and Sideling Hill Markers
Location. This marker has been replaced by another marker nearby. It was located near 39° 43.128′ N, 78° 16.838′ W. Marker was near Hancock, Maryland, in Washington County. It was on the westbound Sideling Hill Visitors Center (Interstate 68 at milepost 75) west of Exit 77 (Maryland Route 144), on the right when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker was in this post office area: Hancock MD 21750, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker was in the Baltimore Metro Region and in Western Maryland. It was also in the American Mid-Atlantic, in Appalachia, and specifically in Northern Appalachia. Globally, it was in the North Atlantic Region, North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it found itself in what was once one of the original Thirteen Colonies.
Other nearby markers. At least 5 other markers are within walking distance of this location: A different marker also named The Challenge of Sideling Hill (here, next to this marker); The National Road (here, next to this marker); Explore Maryland Civil War Trails (a few steps from this marker); Sideling Hill Cut South Bench
Photographed by J. J. Prats, August 13, 2006
3. The Western End of the Sideling Hill Cut
Other markers no longer nearby. The National Road (was here, next to this marker but has been replaced with another marker now near it); Gettysburg Campaign (was a few steps from this marker but has been replaced with another marker now near it); Sideling Hill Cut North Bench (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been confirmed missing); Sideling Hill and Town Hill Mountains (was about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line but has been confirmed missing).
Related marker. Click here for another marker that is related to this marker. This marker has been replaced with the linked marker. There are differences in subtitles and erecting organizations.
Also see . . . Sideling Hill
Photographed by J. J. Prats, August 13, 2006
4. Eastern Approach to the Sideling Hill Cut
Photographed by J. J. Prats, August 13, 2006
5. Interstate 68 Cut Through Sideling Hill Mountain
![<i>[Former] U.S. Route 40 At Martin Mountain</i> image. Click for full size.](Photos/2/Photo2334.jpg?714202094500PM "<i>[Former] U.S. Route 40 At Martin Mountain</i>. Click for full size.")
Photographed by J. J. Prats, August 13, 2006
6. [Former] U.S. Route 40 At Martin Mountain
This 1957 plaque on present-day Maryland Route 144 at an abandoned overlook at the crest of Martin Mountain commemorates a previous attempt to tame the National Road between Hancock and Cumberland. The inscription continues: Theodore R. McKeldin, Governor. State Roads Commission — Robert O. Bonnell–Chairman, Edgar T. Bennett, John J. McMullen. Norman M. Pritchett–Chief Engineer.
Photographed by J. J. Prats, August 13, 2006
7. Abandoned Overlook at Martin Mountain
Parking area, now off limits, is to the right of the brass tablet, barely visible in the overgrown grass. Today, U.S. 40 officially shares the pavement with Interstate 70 and then Interstate 68 on most of its way west from Baltimore to Keysers Ridge, the last crest in Maryland. State Route 144, Scenic U.S. 40 or Alternate U.S. 40 weave in and out of the Interstates, tracing the old path across the mountains.
Credits. This page was last revised on October 5, 2025. It was originally submitted on January 20, 2007, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio. This page has been viewed 78,154 times since then and 329 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7. submitted on January 20, 2007, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio.
