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Meshach Browning: Local Legend of the Deep Creek Area

“The country abounded with deer, bears, panthers, wolves, wildcats, catamounts, wild turkeys, foxes, rabbits, pheasants, partridges, wild bees, and in all the streams trout without number.  The whole face of the country was like a beautiful sheet of wallpaper, variegated with all shades of color.”  Forty –four Years of the Life of a Hunter, Meshach Browning

When thinking of great pioneer men, names like Davey Crockett and Daniel Boone easily spring to mind.  Equally important in the history of the American hunting and frontier experience is tale told by local legend Meshach Browning in Forty-four Years of the Life of a Hunter.  Writing by candlelight with a turkey quill pen, Browning recorded the daily trials and tribulations of his hard-scrabble existence in the wilds of Western Maryland.  During his hunting career he claims to have killed between three and four hundred bears, about fifty panthers, over two thousand deer and scores of wolves and wildcats. 

His account reflects not only the determination of early settlers as they surmounted the difficulties of frontier life but also his great love for an area he called “the prettiest country in the world.”

Meshach Browning
Illustration from Forty-Four Yeas in the Life of Hunter by Meshach Browning

Meshach Browning’s Early Life

Browning’s roots in the United States can be traced back to Captain John Browning, who arrived just fourteen years after the founding of the first permanent English settlement in the New World.  Meshach’s grandfather, William, and father, Joshua, served under George Washington’s command in the 1755 expedition against Fort Duquesne.  There they saw the defeat of General Edward Braddock.  Meshach Browning was born in Frederick County, MD in 1781. 

Continue reading Meshach Browning: Local Legend of the Deep Creek Area

Garrett County’s History of Hosting Vacationers

Garrett County’s cool summers, crisp mountain air and breathtaking scenery have lured visitors to the area for over 150 years.  Long before Deep Creek Lake or Wisp Resort were even a thought, the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad transported wealthy summer patrons out of the city heat to the grand hotels and elaborate summer cottages of Oakland, Deer Park, Loch Lynn and Mountain Lake Park. 

Deer Park

During the post Civil War period, the B&O Railroad increased its passenger traffic by capitalizing on cool Garrett County summers.  In the days before air conditioning, it became quite fashionable escape to the mountains from the oppressive urban heat.  This expansion spawned a chain of posh hotels along the route west.  B&O built two new resort retreats on the mountain top during the 1870’s.  The first to be completed was the Deer Park Hotel, which opened for business on July 4th, 1873.  Featuring a golf course, a building for billiards and bowling, private rental cottages and a large glass-covered bath house containing two swimming pools as well as Turkish and Russian baths, it was quite a spectacle in rural Garrett County.  The Deer Park attracted many famous visitors over the years including General Ulysses S. Grant and President Grover Cleveland, who honeymooned at the resort. 

garrett countys

The overwhelming success of the Deer Park inspired the construction of another hotel just a few years later.  Located along the tracks and across from the train Oakland train station, the Oakland Hotel featured a large ballroom, accommodations for over a hundred guests, and a large park of maple, oak and pine.  In 1883, Alexander Graham Bell took a “working vacation” at the Oakland hotel and oversaw the installation of Garrett County’s first telephone service.  A line connected the Oakland and Deer Park resorts which were about five miles apart. 

Continue reading Garrett County’s History of Hosting Vacationers

Fort Alice: The Civil War Comes to Garrett County

Fort Alice is one of the many historic sites that you can visit in Garrett County. It is located in Oakland, the county seat. If you are planning to visit the museums in Oakland, this is a great addition to your itinerary.

fort alice

The History of Fort Alice

On Sunday, April 2, 1863 the Civil War came to Garrett County.  The crack of a Union sentry’s warning shot pierced the quiet of an otherwise tranquil Oakland Sunday.   They had the good manners to wait until church services had ended.  Confederate soldiers invaded the town under the leadership of Colonel Asher Harman.  The raid took the town by complete surprise. Everyone from the citizens exiting church to the Union soldiers stationed at nearby Fort Alice were shocked by the site of the soldiers in gray.

As the citizens scurried in the streets, seeking the safety of their homes, the Confederate soldiers took food from hotels and stores for themselves and for their animals.  Some ate dinner at private homes, as the impeccable manners of the Rebel soldiers were hard to refuse.  Also, some townsfolk were even reimbursed for their hospitality with Confederate currency. Continue reading Fort Alice: The Civil War Comes to Garrett County

How Did Accident Get Its Name?

How Did Accident Get Its Name? That is a question that you are often asked when you live in Garrett County. Visitors pass through this charming small town on the way to the lake. With two active listings in Accident, Maryland, I thought I would share the history behind the funny name.

how did accident get its name

How Did Accident Get Its Name?

There are a few different accounts of the origin of the name. I will share the one that is most commonly agreed upon.

Back in 17774, the lands west of Fort Cumberland were opened for settlement. Lord Baltimore was the Proprietor of the Maryland Colony at that time. Many speculators hurried to travel to Western Maryland. They wanted to secure the best tracts of land. Continue reading How Did Accident Get Its Name?

Low Lake Levels – Deep Creek Lake

 

Low Lake Levels - Deep Creek Lake
Deep Creek Lakes Favorite Real Estate Agent

Low Lake Levels - Deep Creek Lake
Taylor-Made Real Estate Betsy Spiker Holcomb-301-616-5022

 

Low Lake Levels - Deep Creek Lake

Curious about the low lake levels?  Here’s the scoop.  Construction is proceeding on the Western Conveyance Sewer System (Shingle Camp Road and Stockslager Road) and the installation of the sewer line near the breast of the dam works best at the lowest possible lake levels.  The power company has been cooperating with the sewer construction contractor to make releases to bring down the water level.  Those additional releases have enabled more whitewater fun on the Youghiogheny River.  Never fear, though, we have been assured that the “intake” for snowmaking water will be maintained.  It is now time to “THINK SNOW!”

Karen Myers

Low Lake Levels - Deep Creek Lake Low Lake Levels - Deep Creek Lake Low Lake Levels - Deep Creek Lake Low Lake Levels - Deep Creek Lake Low Lake Levels - Deep Creek Lake Low Lake Levels - Deep Creek Lake

Betsy Spiker Holcomb
Deep Creek Lakes Favorite Real Estate Agent

Deep Creek Lake Celebrates 91 Years

Betsy Spiker Holcomb Deep Creek Lakes Favorite Realtor
Betsy Spiker Holcomb, Deep Creek Lake’s Favorite Realtor

Deep Creek Lake Celebrates 91 Years
Speed boat mode!!

Deep Creek Lake Celebrates 91 Years. Deep Creek Lake is coming up on its 91st anniversary of existence!  Maryland’s largest freshwater lake is loved by many and has an interesting history.  Deep Creek Lake encompasses about 3900 acres with 65 miles of shoreline.  This man-made lake got its start in 1925 as the result of an effort undertaken by the Youghiogheny Hydro Electric Corporation to harness the power of the Youghiogheny River. A 1300-foot-long impoundment dam was constructed to stem the flow of water. Thousands upon thousands of trees were removed from the area to be flooded and 15 miles of primary and secondary roads were relocated. It was estimated that it would take close to 6 months to fill the new Reservoir but heavy rains and snowfall quickened the process to only a couple of months.

Deep Creek Lake Celebrates 91 Years
Deep Creek Lake Dam

On May 26th 1925, the hydroelectric plant kicked in the service with water from the lake transported to a Powerhouse through a 7000-foot tunnel. A remarkable feat at the time. Although the lake was constructed originally to harness energy it has become Maryland’s favorite recreational lake for fishing, boating and plane ole relaxing. The lake is responsible for transforming the economy and quality of life here to all Garrett County residents and the many thousands of visitors and homeowners who call this place home. The lake is an economic engine for Garrett County spurring growth in the tourism industry and generating millions in property tax revenue. In the heat of summer, it is estimated that we see half a million visitors that enjoy the area. Through its many personalities of the past, Deep Creek Lake has evolved into a place where families create and retain lifetimes of memories.

Deep Creek Lake Celebrates 91 Years
Deep Creek Lake

Deep Creek Lake Celebrates 91 Years
Get lost at Deep Creek

Deep Creek Lake Celebrates 91 Years
Fishing Deep Creek Lake

Drane House-Garrett County’s Past

Betsy Spiker Holcomb Deep Creek Lakes Favorite Realtor
Betsy Spiker Holcomb, Deep Creek Lake’s Favorite Realtor

Drane House-Garrett County’s Past

 

Drane House-Garrett County’s Past
The Drane House, Accident Maryland

The Drane House Garrett County’s Past. I took a ride on an unusually warm winter day just a few miles outside of Deep Creek Lake to the historical Drane House in sleepy Accident, Maryland. Garrett County’s past is vast and the Drane House plays an important role being the oldest building standing. Continue reading Drane House-Garrett County’s Past

Einstein visits Deep Creek Lake Maryland in 1946

Betsy Holcomb

Einstein visits Deep Creek Lake Maryland in 1946

 

Deep Creek Lake had a brief relationship with one of the world’s most incredible minds in September, 1946. Einstein has been associated with the making of the atomic bomb, something that he indeed had come up with in theory, but did not implement as a war weapon; he was at heart a pacifist.  Let’s put this into context as to what was happening prior to his visit.  The atomic bombs were dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki, Japan just about a year before his visit to Deep Creek Lake. This was something that weighed heavy on him as he was pictured on the cover of Time magazine in front of a mushroom cloud. I don’t think it was ever his intention to unleash such a destructive act on humanity and his visit to Deep Creek lake fell into the area of his life when he had to reflect on the weight of bombings on mankind.

Einstein Deep Creek Lake

Besides getting out of the spotlight, he also had Dr. Tom Wilson examine him for an aneurysm of the aorta of the abdomen.  Einstein stayed at Dr. Wilson’s lake cottage for his two-week vacation and was seen taking daily walks with his dog around the cottage vicinity. He was seen talking to strangers who had no clue who he was.  Dr. Wilson hired Blair Thompson, as attendant for Mr. Einstein, under the orders to make sure he had everything he needs. Blair noted that he felt at ease around him and that he was a very nice man.  Blair witnessed Mr. Einstein fishing, although he never caught anything. He also had an interest in watching birds and squirrels through his binoculars. He also had some sailing experiences that we are lucky enough to have captured by photograph. Mr. Einstein would sail with a friend or go alone and he noted that you can get nearer to God at the lake. He also told Blair Thompson that the rainstorms at the lake had a way of cleansing the air. Mr. Einstein, on his departure, kindly gave Mr. Thompson a $50 bill in an envelope that he had signed at the top corner.  Mr. Thompson had planned to save this special and historical signature but through the years lost track of it yet he still remembers the fond memories associated with his visit.

Einstein Deep Creek Lake

You don’t have to be a nuclear physicist to understand why people are seduced into the solace of Deep Creek Lake, as its brings out the calmness on your existence itself.

Einstein Deep Creek Lake

Einstein Deep Creek Lake

Casselman River Bridge State Park

 Betsy Holcomb

Casselman River Bridge State Park

Casselman Bridge

 Casselman Bridge

Casselman River Bridge State Park is a 4-acre parcel located east of Grantsville in Garrett County on U.S. Route 40. It is a popular area for fly fishermen, photographers, and history enthusiasts. When the 80-foot span was erected in 1813, it was the longest single span stone arch bridge in the United States. Skeptics predicted that the bridge would collapse once the supporting timbers were removed – yet the bridge stood, serving as an important link on the National Road from 1813 to 1933. Although the bridge no longer carries vehicular traffic, it is open to pedestrians.

CM6

CM2

Today the Casselman River Bridge stands as a picturesque relic of Maryland’s early transportation history, and a tribute to those who designed and built the National Road. To the east of the bridge is the “Spruce Forest Artisan Village.” The village’s historic buildings were moved from various locations in Western Maryland and restored on the site. They currently serve as studios for a variety of artists. Adjacent to Spruce Village are the Penn Alps restaurant and gift shop, a historic structure that dates to 1818, and Stanton’s Mill, a working grist mill originally established in 1797.

Casselman Bridge

Casselman Bridge

Park Features

  • Picnicking – Several picnic tables are available on a first-come, first-served basis.
  • Fishing – the Casselman River is a popular spot for fly-fishing. Please check the current Maryland Fishing Guide for special regulations.
  • Restroom – There is a waterless restroom for visitor use.
  • Alcohol Policy – Alcohol is not permitted anywhere in Casselman River Bridge State Park.
  • Casselman River Bridge State Park is handicapped-accessible, featuring a paved walkway from the parking lot to the bridge, and an accessible picnic site, parking area, and restroom.

Continue reading Casselman River Bridge State Park

Deep Creek Lake History-How was McHenry Maryland named?

Deep Creek Lake History-How was McHenry Maryland named?
Betsy Spiker Holcomb Deep Creek Lakes favorite Realtor

Deep Creek Lake History-How was McHenry Maryland named?

DID YOU KNOW?

Deep Creek Lake History-How was McHenry Maryland named?

Dr. James McHenry, Secretary of War during the administrations

of Presidents Washington and Adams, purchased

almost 1,000 acres in the Buffalo Marsh area

which is today known as Marsh Run Cove or McHenry

Cove. After James and his son William died, a nephew,

John McHenry, moved to the Buffalo Marsh property.

After the death of John and his wife, the land passed

through many hands but today we know the area as

McHenry.

Deep Creek Lake History-How was McHenry Maryland named?