Cumberland, MD (+ Frostburg)

[Evergrey]

Cumberland (pop. 21,591) is the seat of Allegany County (pop. 74,930) in Western Maryland, and is located essentially haflway between Pittsburgh 115 miles to the northwest and Baltimore/Washington 130 miles to the southeast. Cumberland has an urban cluster population of 41,119 and is the hub of the Cumberland MD-WV Metropolitan Area, which numbers 102,008.

Located along I-68 (the elevated highway blasts right through the center of town) in Western Maryland's Ridge and Valley region, Cumberland is situated along the Potomac River. The mountainous terrain dominates Cumberland's urban form, as its neighborhoods twist around narrow valleys and scale steep hillsides. A dramatic and spectacular cityscape full of architectural interest hearkens to an important past.

Fort Cumberland was established by the British Army in the 1750s along what was then British America's western frontier. It was from Fort Cumberland that the British Army launched two unsuccessful attempts to dislodge French forces from Fort Duquesne at the present site of Pittsburgh. In 1754, a 22-year-old George Washington led a force northwest into the highlands near Uniontown, PA... they encountered French forces at the Battle of Jumonville Glen... which would be the opening engagement in the French & Indian War (which would escalate into the Seven Years' War). This was followed by the battle of Fort Necessity. In 1755, General Braddock (accompanied by Washington) led the British Army to a disastrous defeat upstream from Fort Duquesne at the Battle of the Monogahela.

In 1794, President George Washington returned to Cumberland to lead a militia force to quell the Whiskey Rebellion, a response amongst frontier farmers to an excise tax on whiskey.

The City of Cumberland was established in 1787, and it soon became a key transportation hub connecting the East Coast to points west as the National Road (or Cumberland Road... today's U.S. 40), C&O Canal and B&O Railroad all converged on the city. Cumberland grew as a mining and timber hub, and spawned heavy industry. The city was a major producer of glass, tires and paper... but in the latter half of the 20th century... most industrial plants closed. Cumberland and its region spiraled into long-term economic and population decline. The city is trying to leverage its impressive assets as a destination for historical, cultural and outdoors recreation tourism.

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/6/65/Allegany_County_Maryland_Incorporated_and_Unincorporated_areas_Cumberland_Highlighted.svg/800px-Allegany_County_Maryland_Incorporated_and_Unincorporated_areas_Cumberland_Highlighted.svg.png

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/d/d7/Allegany_County_Urban_Areas.jpg

http://i531.photobucket.com/albums/dd360/pittsburghrules/cumberland/cumberland.jpg?t=1248736011

Wills Mountain as seen while squeezing through the Cumberland Narrows just west of Cumberland
http://i531.photobucket.com/albums/dd360/pittsburghrules/cumberland/147.jpg?t=1248741351

Downtown
http://i531.photobucket.com/albums/dd360/pittsburghrules/cumberland/148.jpg?t=1248741415

http://i531.photobucket.com/albums/dd360/pittsburghrules/cumberland/153.jpg?t=1248741500

whoa
http://i531.photobucket.com/albums/dd360/pittsburghrules/cumberland/154.jpg?t=1248741546

The main drag Downtown is a pedestrian street... I don't know what the history behind this one is... but these things don't usually pan out as planned... it's a really gorgeous street... big beautiful buildings lining a rather narrow corridor... but there weren't a ton of people about... and the plastic chairs everywhere were kinda ugly

so much bad street furniture
http://i531.photobucket.com/albums/dd360/pittsburghrules/cumberland/155.jpg?t=1248741729

lovely view... but the kiosk is hideous
http://i531.photobucket.com/albums/dd360/pittsburghrules/cumberland/160.jpg?t=1248741802

http://i531.photobucket.com/albums/dd360/pittsburghrules/cumberland/161.jpg?t=1248741848

http://i531.photobucket.com/albums/dd360/pittsburghrules/cumberland/163.jpg?t=1248741904

like so many historic downtowns... grand storefronts that once housed department stores now house chintzy art galleries
http://i531.photobucket.com/albums/dd360/pittsburghrules/cumberland/169.jpg?t=1248741951

Cumberland almost has an "Olde Europe" skyline... dominated by steeples amidst the lush mountains
http://i531.photobucket.com/albums/dd360/pittsburghrules/cumberland/171.jpg?t=1248742034

downtown fashion
http://i531.photobucket.com/albums/dd360/pittsburghrules/cumberland/172.jpg?t=1248742094

http://i531.photobucket.com/albums/dd360/pittsburghrules/cumberland/173.jpg?t=1248742141

http://i531.photobucket.com/albums/dd360/pittsburghrules/cumberland/174.jpg?t=1248813913

that storefront sells Maryland-related gifts... it was interesting to see so much Maryland Pride in Cumberland... I thought perhaps due to their isolation geographically and culturally from 99% of Maryland that there might be less of a Maryland self-identification... but homes flew the distinctive Maryland flag and social clubs advertised crab bakes... Cumberland does fly the flags of West Virginia and Pennsylvania in addition to Maryland on this street, however.
http://i531.photobucket.com/albums/dd360/pittsburghrules/cumberland/175.jpg?t=1248742181

http://i531.photobucket.com/albums/dd360/pittsburghrules/cumberland/177.jpg?t=1248742356

http://i531.photobucket.com/albums/dd360/pittsburghrules/cumberland/178.jpg?t=1248742405

crossing Wills Creek... joggers on the Great Allegheny Passage... which leads to Pittsburgh
http://i531.photobucket.com/albums/dd360/pittsburghrules/cumberland/183.jpg?t=1248742441

http://i531.photobucket.com/albums/dd360/pittsburghrules/cumberland/184.jpg?t=1248742535

heading into the West Side of Cumberland... Washington Ave. is full of historic mansions
http://i531.photobucket.com/albums/dd360/pittsburghrules/cumberland/194.jpg?t=1248812154

The Richardsonian Romanesque Allegany County Courthouse (1893) looms over the city from its hilltop perch
http://i531.photobucket.com/albums/dd360/pittsburghrules/cumberland/189.jpg?t=1248812524

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i love this apartment building
http://i531.photobucket.com/albums/dd360/pittsburghrules/cumberland/199.jpg?t=1248812866

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http://i531.photobucket.com/albums/dd360/pittsburghrules/cumberland/222.jpg?t=1248815239

the incredible lushness of Cumberland
http://i531.photobucket.com/albums/dd360/pittsburghrules/cumberland/223.jpg?t=1248816045

hilly cities are my favorite
http://i531.photobucket.com/albums/dd360/pittsburghrules/cumberland/224.jpg?t=1248816083

the topography, architecture and neighborhoods result in a fascinating urban environment... Cumberland may be small in population... but it is endlessly fascinating
http://i531.photobucket.com/albums/dd360/pittsburghrules/cumberland/230.jpg?t=1248816116

http://i531.photobucket.com/albums/dd360/pittsburghrules/cumberland/231.jpg?t=1248816172

http://i531.photobucket.com/albums/dd360/pittsburghrules/cumberland/237.jpg?t=1248816200

Urban Appalachia
http://i531.photobucket.com/albums/dd360/pittsburghrules/cumberland/238.jpg?t=1248816243

http://i531.photobucket.com/albums/dd360/pittsburghrules/cumberland/242.jpg?t=1248816371

Canal Place is an urban redevelopment at the western terminus of the C&O Canal... it features shops, restaurants, parkland, museums and trails... it seemed pretty lively but was overrun by ill-tempered teenaged stunt bikers
http://i531.photobucket.com/albums/dd360/pittsburghrules/cumberland/245.jpg?t=1248816401

http://i531.photobucket.com/albums/dd360/pittsburghrules/cumberland/249.jpg?t=1248816563

bridge crossing the Potomac
http://i531.photobucket.com/albums/dd360/pittsburghrules/cumberland/252.jpg?t=1248816619

http://i531.photobucket.com/albums/dd360/pittsburghrules/cumberland/254.jpg?t=1248816655

Country roads... take me home
http://i531.photobucket.com/albums/dd360/pittsburghrules/cumberland/257.jpg?t=1248816691

one of GW's HQs during the Whiskey Rebellion
http://i531.photobucket.com/albums/dd360/pittsburghrules/cumberland/258.jpg?t=1248816741

http://i531.photobucket.com/albums/dd360/pittsburghrules/cumberland/266.jpg?t=1248816779

This street gave me a Wheeling (WV) feeling
http://i531.photobucket.com/albums/dd360/pittsburghrules/cumberland/267.jpg?t=1248816803

http://i531.photobucket.com/albums/dd360/pittsburghrules/cumberland/268.jpg?t=1248816837

north of downtown... I wish I had more time to explore this working class neighborhood north of downtown... but alas...
http://i531.photobucket.com/albums/dd360/pittsburghrules/cumberland/271.jpg?t=1248816882




...



Frostburg (pop. 7,873) is located 8 miles west of Cumberland on the eastern side of Big Savage Mountain. It has an urban cluster population of 10,916. Located about 2,000 feet above sea level, Frostburg is the highest city in Maryland. I can only assume its name comes from its frosty winters... which are long and cold and average over 100 inches of snow. Its summers are cool too... while it was eveningtime... it definitely felt significantly cooler in Frostburg than nearby Cumberland. Frostburg is home to Frostburg State University... which has the bleakest campus I've ever seen. Frostburg is also the hometown of marcus.

http://i531.photobucket.com/albums/dd360/pittsburghrules/frostburg/frostburg.jpg?t=1248818077

rolling into Frostburg was really impressive... with its main street climbing a hill and twisting around a bend (two things I love in a main street)
http://i531.photobucket.com/albums/dd360/pittsburghrules/frostburg/274.jpg?t=1248818142

http://i531.photobucket.com/albums/dd360/pittsburghrules/frostburg/275.jpg?t=1248818170

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http://i531.photobucket.com/albums/dd360/pittsburghrules/frostburg/287.jpg?t=1248818451

http://i531.photobucket.com/albums/dd360/pittsburghrules/frostburg/292.jpg?t=1248818479

http://i531.photobucket.com/albums/dd360/pittsburghrules/frostburg/295.jpg?t=1248818507

houses
http://i531.photobucket.com/albums/dd360/pittsburghrules/frostburg/296.jpg?t=1248818533

I forget the name of this small village near the Pennsylvania border just south of Wellersburg, PA
http://i531.photobucket.com/albums/dd360/pittsburghrules/frostburg/298.jpg?t=1248818581

[aspiringArchitect]

Cool towns. I love all the historic architecture.

[marcus]

All So Familiar! Thanks so much for these!

About the Maryland Pride: Western Marylanders have some of the most state pride in the whole state! My whole Family in Frostburg in Garrett county truley have the state pride thing going on. So do I though :D

Im not sure i would call the student homes in a state of neglect though

No,no actually ive just never looked closly at the homes. Im sure they are neglected. Just not dilapidated is what im trying to say!

[Ex-Ithacan]

"the topography, architecture and neighborhoods result in a fascinating urban environment... Cumberland may be small in population... but it is endlessly fascinating"

I think you summed it up quite nicely Eg, Great pics of a small city that kinda sneaks up on you when driving through western Maryland.

I like the Frostburg bonus too.

Thanks EG.

[Evergrey]

I apologize for my inappropriate comments concerning Frostburg, marcus. I love Western MD.

[Austinlee]

Wow, two nice towns. Very charming.

[ColDayMan]

The West Virginia of Across The River.

[xzmattzx]

Nice pictures. Cumberland is surprisingly nice, although I should've expected it with its rich transportation history.

Frostburg was named after Meshach Frost, who owned a house that became a stagecoach stop on the National Road at that location, which lead to forming of a settlement and later the town.

[Cirrus]

I love Cumberland. It's a lot like a mini Pittsburgh, tucked into the hills like it is.

[spark317]

Great towns, and great photos!!

[stepper77]

Lovely looking towns. Cumberland is especially nice. Thanks!

[tdawg]

wow, so pretty and unexpected

[Thundertubs]

Nicely done! Cumberland is one of my favorite little burgs. I pulled off I-68 into downtown once during a snowstorm at night and had a nice walk around.

[Evergrey]

Matt: Thank you for the information concerning Frostburg's name.

Cirrus: Cumberland actually reminds me a lot of Wheeling... another small Victorian river city amongst rugged topography with an interstate highway blasting through the center (though Wheeling's is mostly tunneled)...

[Clevelumbus]

Great pics, Cumberland is a great looking town with the high density and extreme topography.

[kcexpress69]

Nice thread Evergrey!! Cumberland is such a fascinating place. I've stopped here a couple of time passing through. There's a lot of things to see for a town of 21,000!! Thanks. :cool:

[Wheelingman04]

WV, Pittsburgh, Johnstown and PA all mixed into one. Western Maryland is great!

[dugdogmaster]

Beautious! I don't know how I missed this thread originally.:cheers: Winchester, VA has the same pedestrian friendly downtown corridor, only without the ugly white plastic lawn chairs. And as you stated, it's amazing how some cities can pull that off.

[flar]

Great photos. You'll never run out of cool towns in this part of the country.

[StevenW]

Awesome thread! :yes: Thanks for posting these great pictures.
I, too, love hilly topography in a city. Great little dense cities in the mountains of Western Maryland! :)

[TinChelseaNYC]

I loved this thread. What a cool area!

[jeremai]

Nice shots. I wish I had explored this area more.

[Roaming]

You sure get around! Love these threads. Keep it up. :tup:

[OhioGuy]

I've only every driven through Cumberland on I-68. It's interesting to see this type of a photo tour. Thanks for posting these, Evergrey! :tup:

[Jularc]

This place looks so sweet.

[Tiger Beer]

Wow, I love the look of Cumberland! I've just recently discovered Western Maryland...and wow, what a beautiful area! I also love everything about Pittsburgh..and the mini-Pittsburgh comment made my day!

This little area of the country is a true undiscovered gem area of the nation.