Rediscovering America_ Exploring the Small Towns of Virginia & Maryland - Bill Burnham [134]
Allegany County Museum covers local industrial and transportation history of the area. (210 S. Mechanic Street, tel. 301-777-7200)
The Cumberland Theatre employs professional actors for its musicals and dramas. (101 Johnson Street, tel. 301-759-4990)
Dining
Choices for eating on the Baltimore Street pedestrian mall include the Baltimore Street Grill, known for great crab cakes (82 Baltimore Street, tel. 301-724-1711); Curtis’ Coney Island Famous Weiners (35 N. Liberty Street, tel. 301-759-9707); The Oxford House Restaurant has an old world atmosphere with a modern European menu. (129 Baltimore Street, tel. 301-777-7101)
Oscar’s Restaurant has a “Georgetown” atmosphere and an eclectic menu. (1103 Oldtown Road, tel. 301-724-7827, www.oscars.baweb.com)
A mile east of Cumberland at I-68, exit 46, are four unique restaurants, all in one spot. Mason’s Barn has been serving home cooking for half a century (tel. 301-722-6155, www.edmasons.com), Uncle Tucker’s is an 1819 brewhouse (tel. 301-777-7005), Uncle Tucker’s Pizza Cellar serves wood-fired pizza and micro-brews (tel. 301-777-7232), and JB’s Steak Cellar serves up steak and seafood (tel. 301-722-6060).
Lodging
The Inn at Walnut Bottom lends bikes to guests to ride the C&O Canal Towpath, after which, you can arrange for a massage. The downtown inn has 12 rooms with antiques, telephones and televisions, and is within easy walking distance of the railway station and historic area. The inn operates a gallery with locally crafted art and crafts for sale. Children welcome. (120 Green Street, tel. 800-286-9718, www.iwbinfo.com, $$)
Terra Angelica has four rooms with fireplaces and cable television. It’s located on nearly 250 acres where you can hike or fish in the stocked pond. Afternoon tea is served. (14701 Smouse’s Mill Road NE, tel. 301-724-9110, www.terraangelica.com, $$)
Pet-friendly: The Holiday Inn – Downtown is within walking distance of historic downtown and the railway station. Children 19 and under stay free; children 12 and under eat free with a paying adult at Harrigans Restaurant. Pets are accepted at no extra charge. (100 S. George Street, tel. 301-724-8800, www.cumberlandmdholidayinn.com, $)
Information
Allegany County Convention & Visitors Bureau, tel. 800-425-2067, www.mdmountainside.com.
Events
C&O Canalfest takes place two days in mid-May at Canal Place with artisans, living history demonstrations, live entertainment and canal boat tours. (tel. 301-724-3655, ext. 2)
During Heritage Days, the second weekend in June, Historic Downtown Cumberland and the Washington Street district are filled with more than 200 vendors, a carnival, antique car exhibits and children’s activities. (tel. 301-777-2787, www.alleganyartscouncil.com)
TRIVIA: Washington slept here – three times. A young George Washington was a surveyor in Cumberland, then came again during the French and Indian War and the Whiskey Rebellion.
Frostburg
“I think that’s a diesel engine whistle, honey,” a mother says to her small son, obvious disappointment in her voice. They stand on a bridge over a single railroad track near Frostburg, eyes fixed on the bend where the big engine will come into view. Her son loves trains, she explains, and watching it pass beneath this narrow country road has become something of a daily ritual. “No, wait,” she tilts her head to listen again. “I think it’s the steam engine. Yes! It is the steam engine. Wonderful!”
It seems most locals and train enthusiasts waiting on the arrival of the Western Maryland Scenic Railroad know by sound alone the difference between a diesel and steam engine whistle. The scenic railroad uses both types, restored from