Page 61 - Garrett County 2024/2025 Visitors Guide

Friendsville
GRANTSVILLE
visitgrantsville.com
Grantsville is located east of Friendsville, and also sits along I-68.
The tract of land that would become Grantsville was originally called “Cornucopia.” It later became “Grant’s Village,” in honor of innkeeper Daniel Grant. The town benefited from its location along a route constructed to provide passage for troops during the French and Indian War. That route later became the National Road, drawing more business and settlers to the area.
The area’s must-see attraction is Casselman Bridge, built to carry the National Road across the Casselman River. Built in 1813,
it was the largest stone arch in America at the time. The bridge is open to foot traffic, and the surrounding Casselman River Bridge State Park is a popular fly-fishing spot. Nearby, the Spruce Forest Artisan Village preserves the area’s cultural heritage. Visit working artisans housed in log cabins and explore the school house and church.
Population: 948 Elevation: 2,414 feet Incorporated: 1864
Population: 298 Elevation: 1,564 feet Incorporated: 1906
Kitzmiller River Walk
PHOTO BY SARAH DUCK
LOCH LYNN HEIGHTS
business.visitdeepcreek.com/list/member/town- of-loch-lynn-heights-34
KITZMILLER
kitzmillermd.org
Once a major producer and shipper of coal, this town east of Oakland is now most attractive for its scenic location along the North Branch of the Potomac River.
Visitors enjoy fishing in the river, picnicking along its banks or taking in scenic views along Kitzmiller’s river walk.
The Kitzmiller area is close to Garrett County’s youngest state park, Wolf Den Run. The park encompasses nearly 2,000 acres, including three brook trout streams, 1,700 acres of mixed forest, and rocky bluffs rising 900 feet above the Potomac River. For more information, go to dnr.maryland. gov/publiclands/pages/western/wolf- den-run.aspx.
Like Deer Park, Loch Lynn Heights became
a popular resort area once the B&O Railroad came to town. Trains carried visitors from Baltimore, Washington or Pittsburgh to the station in Mountain Lake Park, just across from Loch Lynn Heights. The most popular destination, Loch Lynn Hotel, was destroyed by a fire in 1918, and the adjacent casino — once home to an indoor swimming pool and bowling alleys — was demolished in 1985.
Today, Loch Lynn Heights is attractive
for its outdoor-recreation opportunities, which include three soccer fields, two softball fields, a paved walking path and an observation deck with historical signage. North of the athletic fields, you’ll also find a roughly 1-mile boardwalk and gravel walking trail through wetlands surrounding the Little Youghiogheny River.
Population: 495 Elevation: 2,438 feet Incorporated: 1896
// COMMUNITY PROFILE: Towns MOUNTAIN LAKE PARK
mtnlakepark.org
Another historic resort town, Mountain Lake Park, sits between Loch Lynn Heights and Oakland. Mountain Lake Park’s origins date
to 1881, when a small group of Wheeling,
WV and Oakland residents identified the
area as suitable for establishing a summer resort founded on Christian principles. A year later, J.M. Jarboe of Oakland began building the famous Mountain Lake Hotel, and the town became a popular holiday destination through the 1940s. Prominent visitors included President William Howard Taft, William Jennings Bryan and evangelist Billy Sunday.
Mountain Lake Park’s rich heritage is still evident in a variety of Victorian-style homes that have been listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Today’s most popular attraction in town is the Simon Pearce
Factory Store, which offers glassblowing demonstrations and sales of stunning glassware. The town’s museum has recently reopened after a comprehensive renovation. (For more information, see page 34.)
Population: 2,118 Elevation: 2,466 feet Incorporated: 1931
OAKLAND
oaklandmd.com
Garrett’s county seat is also a National Main Street community, as designated by the National Historic Trust. The town’s architecture is notable for its Victorian influences, and the 1884 Queen Anne-style B&O Train Station is one of its historic centerpieces.
The Mountain Fresh Farmers Market is a fixture at Oakland’s outdoor pavilion, which also hosts events such as the Little Yough Summer Music Festival. Oakland has a state-designated Arts & Entertainment District as well as numerous independently owned shops and restaurants.
For business owners, Oakland offers unique opportunities through the Main Street Program in association with the Greater Oakland Business Association.
Population: 1,817 Elevation: 2,534 feet Incorporated: 1862
www.visitdeepcreek.com 59
SMALL TOWN TRAIL
Learn more about what Garrett County’s towns have to offer at visitdeepcreek.com/smalltowntrail.