Hancock in Washington County, Maryland — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
A New Beginning
Western Maryland Rail Trail
Photographed By Bernard Fisher, July 23, 2016
1. A New Beginning Marker
On this site a pedestrian park was constructed to provide access to Hancock's main street from the Western Maryland Rail Trail and to provide a comfortable rest area for bikers and walkers of the Rail Trail. The park was dedicated on April 11, 1998. Funding for this project came from Maryland's Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program of the Department of Housing and Community Development, Appalachian Regional Council (ARC) and Town Hancock.
Formerly this area consisted of several businesses and rental housing units. A disastrous New Year's Eve fire on December 31, 1991 destroyed this lot and the adjacent property to the east. The private sector could not feasibly restore the burned out properties, so the Town of Hancock along with the CDBG and ARC programs purchased the property and designed a park to eliminate the blight on the community.
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Spangler Hotel, West Main Street, Hancock, Maryland
Erected by State of Maryland Department of Natural Resources.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Railroads & Streetcars. A significant historical date for this entry is April 11, 1998.
Location. 39° 41.92′ N, 78° 10.747′ W. Marker is in Hancock, Maryland, in Washington
this page online
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Discover the Trail (a few steps from this marker); Major James Breathed (a few steps from this marker); "Perkins House" / "Davis" Hotel (a few steps from this marker); a different marker also named Discover the Trail (within shouting distance of this marker); Hancock (within shouting distance of this marker); "Hershey Ice Cream" Shop / "Barton House" (within shouting distance of this marker); The C&O Canal: Serving the Potomac Valley (within shouting distance of this marker); Hancock in the Canal Era (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Hancock.
Also see . . . Western Maryland Rail Trail. Maryland Department of Natural Resources website entry (Submitted on July 25, 2016.)
Photographed By Devry Becker Jones (CC0), June 12, 2022
2. A New Beginning Marker
Unfortunately, the marker has weathered significantly.
Photographed By Bernard Fisher, July 23, 2016
3. A New Beginning Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on June 13, 2022. It was originally submitted on July 25, 2016, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia. This page has been viewed 390 times since then and 11 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on July 25, 2016, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia. 2. submitted on June 13, 2022, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. 3. submitted on July 25, 2016, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia.
