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Hit the Open Road

Explore the Mountain Maryland Scenic Byway

This fully immersive byway begins in the heart of Cumberland, MD, and circles through the historic towns of Mount Savage, Frostburg,
Lonaconing, and Westernport to explore Mountain Maryland’s history as a coal and natural resource center. Once a major center in
the United States coal industry, the Georges Creek Valley was historically known as "The Big Vein" for its thick seam of bituminous
coal, famous for its clean burning, low sulfur content that made it ideal for powering ocean steamers, riverboats, locomo ves, steam
mills, and machine shops. Along this route, you’ll learn the important role of Allegany County’s natural resources and products such
as coal and iron in fueling the early American Industrial Revolu on.

POINTS OF INTEREST ALONG THE BYWAY

C&O CANAL NATIONAL HISTORICAL PARK WESTERN MARYLAND RAILWAY STATION

The C&O Canal is a 184.5 mile waterway and towpath Built in 1913, the Western Maryland Railway Sta on stands today as the
extending from Washington, DC, to Cumberland, MD. last remaining depot in Cumberland and was constructed during the peak
For nearly 100 years, the canal operated as one of the of the American railroads’ power. The building’s monumental scale reflects
chief avenues to transport coal, lumber, and agricultural the success of the Western Maryland Railroad and the significant impact of
products from the resource rich communi es along the the railroad industry on Cumberland. The sta on was strategically placed
Potomac River down to the east coast. Today, the canal at the river valley, where the Potomac River meets Wills Creek. Once an
is a designated Na onal Historical Park, preserving the important stop on the route between Chicago and Bal more, the sta on is
history and culture of the canal as well as providing now home to the Western Maryland Scenic Railroad, which makes
access to nature and outdoor recrea onal opportuni es. sixteen mile trips between Cumberland and Frostburg, MD.

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