Historical accounts, myths, legends & tall tales about the Deep Creek Lake & Garrett County areas of Maryland
Friday, May 21, 2010
Garrett County Historical Society’s transportation museum under construction
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The excavation has begun for the construction of the Garrett County Historical Society’s transportation museum, which will be located along Liberty Street. Much of the funding for the 10,000-square-foot structure was provided via the Community Trust Foundation with a major grant from the Howard and Audrey Naylor Foundation. The façade of the two-story building will comprise the fronts of the former A.D. Naylor blacksmith shop, Martin’s Livery Stable, Lawton’s Auto Dealership, and Oakland’s original fire hall. The first floor will house a rendition of the Naylor blacksmith shop and a variety of antique transportation vehicles, while the second floor will be dedicated to the history of Deep Creek Lake, and also contain educational space and equipment. Photo by John McEwen.
If you are thinking of buying or selling real estate in Garrett County or Deep Creek Lake, Maryland, call Jay Ferguson of Railey Realty for all of your real estate needs! 877-563-5350
Tuesday, April 27, 2010
Ten Oddly Named Small Town Travel Destinations - sawfnews.com
Accident, Maryland. Photo Credit: Garrett County Chamber of Commerce
Accident, Maryland
Accident is a town in Garrett County, Maryland, United States. The population was 353 at the 2000 census.
A person from Accident is called an “Accidental”.
The town of Accident is located near Deep Creek Lake in northern Garrett County, the westernmost county of Maryland.
The unusual name of the town has an interesting story.
In 1750 King George II of England paid off a debt to George Deakins by giving him 600 acres of land in western Maryland.
To make the best of the opportunity, Deakins dispatched two independent survey teams to scout for the most promising land in that section of Maryland. When the teams returned it was discovered that they had marked the exact same 600 acres, even starting with the same oak tree.
A delighted Mr. Deakins had the location patented as “The Accident Tract.”
The town is best known for The Drane House, which was constructed circa 1800 by James Drane, the first permanent settler in the Accident area.
Located on a high ground to the east of the town, approximately 150 yards from the Accident-Bittinger Road and one-half mile east of U.S. Route 219, it is believed to be the oldest standing structure in Garrett County.
The Drane House was purchased by the Town of Accident in 1987, reconstructed and preserved on the original site, and dedicated in 1994.
Recreational activities such as rafting and climbing programs from Adventure Sports Center International offer a more varied experience.
Read the rest here.
If you are thinking of buying or selling real estate in Garrett County or Deep Creek Lake, Maryland, call Jay Ferguson of Railey Realty for all of your real estate needs! 877-563-5350
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Jay on 04/27 at 08:03 PM
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Saturday, December 01, 2007
History of the Wisp
Over the years the resort has grown from a former cow pasture into one of the premier destinations in the Mid-Atlantic. Below are some of the many historic landmarks:
Winter 1955 - 1956: Mr. Heise forms Recreational Industries, Inc. and offers skiing on Marsh Mountain for the first time. A cow pasture owned by a local farmer becomes a makeshift ski area. A one room hut with a pot-bellied stove serves as the first lodge and the bed of a pick-up truck operates as the first ski rental shop. One slope, The Face, is serviced by a rope tow.
Winter 1956 - 1957: Recreational Industries first attempts to make snow, using equipment resembling lawn sprinklers, which emitted frozen pellets of water.
1965: The first double chairlift (Chair #1) is installed. For the first time skiers are able to ski from the top of Marsh Mountain.
1969: WISP offers night skiing, with the addition of lights on the slopes
1971-1979: Wisp expands to 16 trails and adds snow makers, more lights, and two additional chairlifts. The first motel, The Village Inn, opens at the base of the ski mountain. The snow making system is converted to an airless system, increasing power and efficiency.
1981: Wisp opens its 18 hole golf course, and is now recognized officially as the only four-season resort in the State on Maryland.
1985 - 1986: The Village Inn Motel is renovated and transformed into a Condo Hotel and is renamed the Wisp Resort hotel.
Winter 1987 - 1988: The East Ridge Trail and Life System are added, with 2 triple chairs.
1994: Developers purchased 2,400 acres of land adjacent to Wisp.
2001: DC Development, LLC purchases the Wisp from Mr. Heise and begins a major capitol improvement project. Chair 5 is extended, Chair 4 is relocated and Highline Trail is added. Bear Claw Snow Tubing Park opens.
2003: The Lodge undergoes renovation and is expanded by 11,000 sq.ft. Triple chairs replace the double chairs of 2 & 3 and a ski carpet replaces the rope tow.
2004: Completion of 8500 sq.ft. “State-of-the-art” pump house increases snow making capacity by 18% and is fully automated. Recreational Industries assumes management of Wisp Resort Hotel.
Winter 2005 - 2006: Projected opening of the first two phases of a four-phase ski area expansion. New beginner and intermediate terrain with 10 new trails, adding over 25% more skiable terrain and 2 quad chairlifts.
Summer 2007: Opening of White Water Course
-Over $30 million in renovations and capital improvements since June 2001.
View the Wisp web site at: http://www.skiwisp.com/
View live Wisp Web Cams at: http://www.wispresort.com/winter_webcams.htm
Read the Wisp ski review from SkiTown.com at: http://www.skitown.com/resortguide/overview.cfm/md01/Wisp
DCSki Columnist and ski patroller James Chen spent the weekend at Maryland’s Wisp Resort with many of his fellow ski patrollers. Read his article at: http://www.dcski.com/resorts/viewprofile.php?resort=Wisp
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