Little Orleans in Allegany County, Maryland — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Town Hill Overlook
The Beauty Spot of Maryland
— The Historic National Road - The Road That Built The Nation —
Photographed By Christopher Busta-Peck, July 13, 2007
1. Town Hill Overlook Marker
The long, winding ascent of Town Hill reaches a height just beyond that of Sideling Hill, but was much more easily crossed. However, early automobiles were still no match for the steep grades and tight turns along this section of the National Road. At the turn of the twentieth century, it was “practically an uninhabited section-wild and beautiful beyond anticipation, and with a most clear, bracing atmosphere...it seems quite safe to estimate that there may be more bridges than people...”
Imagine a traveler’s delight when one came upon a service area with a gas station, a restaurant offering home cooked meals, and a place to stay. Visitors could see three states and seven counties from this overlook. Surrounded in the 1920s by apple orchards, tourists began to call this area the “Beauty Spot of Maryland.”
The Town Hill Hotel was one of the first to cater to the 20th century “pleasure traveler” along the old National Road. Hotels offering similar services were soon strategically placed on the tops of Sideling Hill, Green Ridge, Polish Mountain, Martins Mountain, Big Savage and Negro Mountains.
Erected by America's Byways; Maryland Heritage Area Authority.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Roads & Vehicles
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Location. This marker has been replaced by another marker nearby. It was located near 39° 41.866′ N, 78° 24.056′ W. Marker was in Little Orleans, Maryland, in Allegany County. Marker was on National Pike (U.S. 40), on the left when traveling west. This is Wayside 40 on the Historic National Road in Maryland. Touch for map. Marker was at or near this postal address: 31101 National Pike, Little Orleans MD 21766, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 4 miles of this location, measured as the crow flies. A different marker also named Town Hill Overlook (a few steps from this marker); Billmeyer Game Refuge (approx. 1.3 miles away); Perry Barnes Game Refuge (approx. 1.4 miles away); McCausland's Raid (approx. 3.1 miles away); John Mash Jr. (approx. 3.1 miles away); Pine Lick Trail (approx. 3.1 miles away); Log Roll Trail (approx. 3.2 miles away); Twin Oaks Trail (approx. 3.2 miles away).
More about this marker. Reproductions of two old postcards on the lower portion of the marker are captioned, "Town Hill Hotel is the only 1920's hotel in this area that is still in business today. Note the
Photographed By Christopher Busta-Peck, October 20, 2007
2. View from Town Hill
Note I-68 and the Sideling Hill cut in the distance.
Related marker. Click here for another marker that is related to this marker. This marker has been replaced with the linked marker, which has different subtitles.
Also see . . . Town Hill Hotel. The hotel is still offering a haven for travelers. (Submitted on January 24, 2008, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia.)
Photographed By Christopher Busta-Peck, October 20, 2007
3. Town Hill Overlook
Note the canopy to protect tourists from the elements.
Photographed By Christopher Busta-Peck, October 20, 2007
4. Town Hill Hotel
Photographed By Christopher Busta-Peck, August 26, 2007
5. View from Town Hill
Credits. This page was last revised on March 24, 2024. It was originally submitted on January 24, 2008, by Christopher Busta-Peck of Shaker Heights, Ohio. This page has been viewed 2,537 times since then and 63 times this year. Last updated on July 21, 2009, by Jacob Nevin of Bethesda, Maryland. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on January 24, 2008, by Christopher Busta-Peck of Shaker Heights, Ohio. • Kevin W. was the editor who published this page.
