What town in Garrett County, MD. not only made local and national but made the international news as well for a story that tugged at the heart strings of many people across the globe?
First correct answer wins a Garrett County Mountain Maryland Gateway to the West backpack with some MMGTW goodies inside!!! ANNNNNDDDDDDDDDD GO!!!
Did you know that the Youghiogheny River derived its name from the Native American Lenape word, meaning “a stream flowing in a contrary direction”? The unique facet of the Yough, as it’s called, is that it flows from south to north throughout its entire course. The 134-mile long tributary flows northward from the crest of the Appalachian Mountains in West Virginia, through western Garrett County, and into Pennsylvania. Its source is two springs found on Backbone Mountain and it provides a small watershed into the tributaries of the Mississippi River. The Youghiogheny River is an incredible natural and cultural resource of Garrett County, MD.
The first signs of inhabitants of the Youghiogheny River basin date back about 10,000 years to when Native American camped, hunted, and traded on its banks. In colonial times, the Youghiogheny River valley supplied an important access route for early settlers and military forces from Virginia, through the rugged mountains, to what was then known as “Ohio Country”. In 1754, George Washington followed the Yough as he tried to find a water route to French-controlled Fort Duquesne. Pioneers left New England in the severe winter of 1787-1788 and forged trails west through the mountains to the Northwest Territory of Ohio. Lewis & Clark launched their boat on the Youghiogheny in 1803. In the late 19th century, timber, coal mining, and agriculture became essential industries along the Youghiogheny River and the Garrett County economy prospered. The success of these industries helped the population grow along the river.
In 1976, a 21-mile long stretch of the Yough was given special protected status by the state of MD as the Youghiogheny Scenic & Wild River, to preserve its natural and cultural resources. This portion of this “big water” river flows through Garrett County, MD. To be designated as wild and scenic, a river must be free-flowing with a shoreline that’s predominantly forested, agricultural, grassland, marshl
Have you ever heard of the town of Kendall in Garrett County, MD? Kendall is located along the Youghiogheny River, a few miles upstream from Friendsville, burrowed between the river and its canyon walls.
Did you know that Kendall wasn’t the first name of the town, but the third? The Kendall area was crucial to the Union supply chain during the Civil War. Founded in November of 1889 with the arrival of the train to Friendsville (connecting the towns), the town was originally know as Yough Manor. The original name of this former logging town stems from the first lumber company in the area, the Yough Manor Lumber Company; which extended the Confluence-Oakland Railroad upriver from Friendsville to service a sawmill. In 1891, A. Knabb and Company set up a stave mill for barrels and the town’s name was changed to Krug; in honor of company official Henry Krug. The old-growth forests of the region were highly profitable for the lumber industry, which employed 1,000 Garrett County residents at the time. The mill and rail-line were expanded as logging operations stretched further up the Youghiogheny Corridor, following closely along the river. The town was officially known as Kendall after the Kendall Lumber Company bought the land in 1909 to begin logging operations further upstream. The planned extension of the logging rail line to Oakland never came to be, so temporary, narrow-gauge rail lines extended from Kendall to the National Falls (“White Falls”), where a bridge was needed to cross the river because of the sheer cliffs. In the early 20th century, Kendall was a vacation spot for Friendsville citizens, whom would take the train there to picnic, hunt, and experience nature.
Once a booming lumber hub and rail-line production center that stretched south to Crellin, Kendall is now a ghost town. The timber industry collapsed in 1912, prompting residents to leave. Trains continued to ship coal and timber, but residents continued to leave, and most had gone by th
Did you know in Southeast Garrett County, MD, that the Bloomington Viaduct can be found as you drive along the Mountain Maryland Scenic Byway? Also known as the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad Viaduct, this structure spans the northern branch of the Potomac River, and is located just west of the Allegany County line, in Bloomington, on Oakland Westernport Road.
An historical treasure, the Bloomington Viaduct was built in 1851 by the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad Company as part of its main line from Cumberland, MD to Grafton, WV. Featuring a 17-mile grade, it is a sandstone bridge constructed with three full-center arches. Each arch has an impressive 56’ span and a 28’ rise. In its heyday, it carried a double track of the original Baltimore and Ohio main line across the Potomac River to Mineral County, West Virginia. (To get a better view, turn right onto Hamill Road from Rt. 135 and then turn left onto Owens Road). Along the south face of the original stone bridge, the Bloomington Viaduct was widened in 1916 to accommodate two more tracks. This addition consists of a Melan-type reinforced concrete bridge in the exact configuration as the original.
The construction of the Baltimore and Ohio railroad through the region was the catalyst for the growth of southern Garrett County during this time. This smoothed the way for the timber and coal industries in the area, in addition to facilitating local farming. It is believed that the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad was the single, most important factor in the development of Garrett County; as it spearheaded the construction of multi-span masonry railroad bridges, like the Bloomington Viaduct.
The Bloomington Viaduct was added to Maryland’s Register of Historic Properties on November 21, 1976 and two tracks are still in use today.
There is a nearby boat ramp, just upstream of the bridge, that provides access to the North Branch and a takeout point for river trips from Kitzmiller. What a fun family
Did you know before 1763, few settlers came to what would later become Garrett County? In the mid-1700’s, the land was surveyed by George Washington for Lord Fairfax of Virginia. In 1765, Amish, Swiss, and German pioneers arrived from Somerset County, PA to settle the area’s fertile farmland. In the 1850’s, the B&O Railroad brought new life to Garrett County, with work in the local coal and mining industries and also enabled the construction of large summer resorts that attracted the privileged.
On the western edge of the Savage River State Forest is Bittinger, Maryland. Many Garrett County residents can trace their family name back to these founding families. The Bittinger name is one such name. The town was named after long-ago resident, Henry Bittinger; born July 14, 1778 in Somerset County, PA. Family lore suggests that in his younger years, he spent time living with Indians in Ohio; learning their language and getting to know the Chiefs. He came to the Garrett County area on March 9, 1814 with his wife Barbara (nee Bauser) after buying a 200-acre tract at Ridgley Hill, in what was then considered western Allegany County. The property is situated between Grantsville and Bittinger Crossroads. It consists of some bottomland along the North Branch of the Casselman River, though most of it lies along the southwest side of Ridgley Hill. In addition to nice fields and a year-round spring of water, it has a large stand of sugar maples. Henry lived here for years in a log house and was known as being honest, hardworking, and orderly. He loved to dance and enjoy life. In 1844, Henry bought a piece of land along the top of a broad ridge known as “The Briar Patch” and resided there until his death in 1852. He is buried in the family cemetery at Ridgley Hill.
Visit Bittinger! The Bittinger Post Office is an historic artifact of times gone by. Located within a small store, it's barely big enough to accommodate the postmaster and is considered one of the smallest
Muddy Creek Falls - Highest Free-Falling Waterfall in MD
Did you know that nestled in the breathtakingly scenic beauty of Oakland’s Swallow Falls State Park in Garrett County, Maryland is Muddy Creek Falls? Part of the Garrett State Forest, the park began in 1906 from a 1,917 acre land donation made by John & Robert Garrett, to be used as a state forest. The Garrett State Forest includes Swallow Falls and Herrington Manor State Parks, both of which were developed in the 1930’s by the Civilian Conservation Corps.
Muddy Creek Falls is Maryland’s highest free-falling waterfall. Stemming from the Youghiogheny River, and enveloped in tall hemlocks, this beautiful 53-foot-tall waterfall is a spectacular sight to behold. This natural wonder is easy to get to, as there is a short gravel walk to get to the falls along the Canyon Loop Trail, along with a convenient stairway that lets one view this magnificent vista from different perspectives. You can also enjoy the views down below from the very top. Remember to wear shoes with good tread because the rocks are wet and slippery. Get your camera ready, as you will definitely want to capture this picturesque waterscape!
As you enjoy walking the trail which is nestled under 300-year-old hemlocks, you will partake in some of the most stunning and awe-inspiring scenery that Western Maryland has to offer. Be sure to look for the many rock outcroppings, the beautiful pinks and purple blooms of the wild rhododendron, and the rosy hues of mountain laurel flowers are found along the trail. For Geology lovers, Muddy Creek Falls developed in what is known as the Pottsville Formation, which consists of cross-bedded sandstones, along with easily eroded siltstones and shales. These rocks date to the Pennsylvanian Period and are about 300 million years old. How fascinating!
Notable historical figures have also enjoyed Muddy Creek Falls. "Famous Travelers", a series of articles by Francis Champ Zumbrun, covers a time in the summer o
The History of Pennington Cottage
Did you know that B&O railroad executive, industrialist, financier, and namesake for our county, John Work Garrett opened the well-known Deer Park Hotel in Garrett County, Maryland in 1873 to entice seasonal visitors to the spectacular area? Since the 1860’s, Garrett had long been an avid advocate for the development of premier summer resorts along the B&O rail lines in western Maryland.
In the late 19th century, the famed Deer Park Hotel became the first and utmost exclusive resort in the western Maryland region; boasting amenities such as tennis courts and golf courses. The picturesque beauty and health-conducive climate of southern Garrett County successfully attracted prestigious dignitaries and visitors far and wide; from major cities like Baltimore, Philadelphia, and Washington, DC. One such visitor includes President Grover Cleveland, who spent his honeymoon at this establishment in Cottage 2.
Although the hotel, railroad station, and luxurious amenities no longer stand; a handful of cottages from that time still exist along the same semi-circular drive to this day. Surviving structures are quite an anomaly.
Pennington Cottage is one such surviving Shingle-Style structure that symbolizes the rich history of this exclusive resort. It was designed by and built for famed Baltimore architect, Josias Pennington. The cottage stands on a raised stone foundation three stories high and is one of the few original cottages restored. It is adorned with a tall gambrel roof, dark-brown shingled siding, and a one-story wrap-around porch with double-turned columns and a magnificent balustrade that traverses the main (south), east, and west sides. The main entryway consists of large double doors with rectangular sidelights and a beautiful transom that leads to a large entrance hall. The western half of the second floor is enhanced by a beautiful pair of windows and lends a complimentary architectural balance to a stunning two-story ba
