ALLEGANY COUNTY
Transcribed by Denise Wells
Allegany county is located in the extreme western portion of the State, just south of the Pennsylvania line, with Washington county, Maryland, on the east, Garrett county on the west, and the Potomac river, separating it from West Virginia, on the south. The population, according to the census of 1890 , was 41,571, divided as follows: White, 40,096; colored, 1,470. Since 1880, the population of Allegany county was increased 3,559 or 9.36 per cent. Its area is 477 square miles.
The coal fields in the western portion of the county, and extending twenty miles in one direction and five in another, are the chief feature and source of wealth. There is a good proportion of farming and rich timber land, many of the farms being quite productive. The soil is sandy loam along the streams, and in the mountain regions limestone, slate and sand, mixed with loam. There is a large territory covered with forest, especially in the eastern portion. The prices of cleared land range from $10 to $50 per acre, but there is much undeveloped mountain land which can be bought as low as $2 per acre. The chief products are corn, rye, oats, potatoes, with some buckwheat, hay, wool, butter, and a fair proportion of fruits. There is a considerable trade in lumber and tan bark. In recent years there has been much improvement in farming machinery. Some fine stock is raised, but not nearly farming machinery. Some fine stock is raised, but not nearly to the extent possible, as much of the land is well adapted for grazing. The fruit cultivation could also be largely increased the eastern slope offering good chances for grape culture. If the large tracts of undeveloped timber land were divided up and sold, there would be a chance for industrious immigrants to start profitable farming. There has been some move in this direction of late. Much of this undeveloped land is owned by non-residents.
CUMBERLAND
Cumberland, which is situated at the confluence of the north branch of the Potomac, with a considerable stream known as Wills Creek, is called the "Queen City." Like another Maryland town made famous in song, it is "Green-walled by the Hills," or, rather, mountains of the Allegany range. These great walls seem at first glance to cut off the city from the world, but inquiry discovers the fact that few cities are so thoroughly equipped with transportation facilities as this, the county seat of Allegany county and the metropolis of Western Maryland. It is on the main line of the Baltimore and Ohio Road. The Pittsburg and Connellsville Railway joins it to Pittsburg. A branch of the Pennsylvania system connects it with that great highway at Huntington, Pa. The present terminus of the West Virginia Central and Pittsburg Railway is at Cumberland, but it has in contemplation the building of an extension to tidewater at Baltimore. The Cumberland and Pennsylvania Railway runs from it through the Cumberland coal region to Piedmont, W. Va. The George's Creek and Cumberland Railway taps the same coal field for its benefit, and other mines are made tributary to it by the Eckhart branch of the Cumberland and Pennsylvania Railway. The Chesapeak and Ohio Canal, which commences at Cumberland and terminates 184 miles east of this city, has been restored as a waterway. For local transportation, Cumberland has also great facilities, being on the line of the great national turnpike and other well-kept roads.
The population of Cumberland, according to the census of 1890, was 12,729, an increase of 2,036, or 19.04 per cent. since 1880. It is expected the population of Cumberland will be largely increased, when the Baltimore and Ohio people carry into effect a plan they have determined on and
CONCENTRATE ON THEIR REPAIR SHOPS
at that point. The arrangements have been made to remove to Cumberland the shops of the Second, Third and Pittsburg divisions. This will add 1,000 mechanics and their families say from 4,000 to 5,000 people to the population of the city.
Cumberland is situated in the heart of the greatest bituminous coal region in the world, dominates a section exhaustless in raw materials and as already shown possesses magnificent transportation facilities. The city has given its name to the coal obtained from this district, a coal whose excellence is undisputed in the mechanical world. It is a semi-bituminous carbon, almost wholly free from sulphur and devoid of other impurities. In burning, it yields an intense steady heat. Experiments have established that a ton of this coal will yield more heat than a ton and a quarter of any other coal. Hence, its desirability for manufacturing purposes. This coal is laid down in Cumberland for $1.30 per ton. Cumberland, therefore, offers the manufacturer the best of coal at the cheapest price, that is as compared with the cost of fuel at other industrial centres. But in Cumberland, the coals from West Virginia and Pennsylvania can be purchased for still less money. As for coke, it may be had cheaply from Connellsville, which is on the main line between Pittsburg and Cumberland, or from the Pennsylvania ovens, many of which are nearer to Cumberland than Connellsville, or from the ovens along the lines of the West Virginia Central and Baltimore and Ohio Roads. Charcoal is also to be had in abundance and at slight cost. So much for one of the principal elements in the successful manufacture of iron.
The next most important, the iron ore itself, is laid down in Cumberland most cheaply. Within easy distance are the iron mines of Pennsylvania, and still nearer, the new ore beds of Moorefield, W. Va., which are said to contain 43 per cent. of iron and to be free from silica.
THE WEST VIRGINIA CENTRAL AND PITTSBURG RAILWAY
Passes through the Elk Garden and Upper Potomac coal regions in which mines are rapidly being opened. Since 1881, nearly a score of thriving villages have been built along this road and an industrial population of at least 10,000 induced to settle there. Another factor in the cheap production of iron, lime suitable for fluxing, is abundant in the immediate neighborhood, where also are many beds of fire-clay.
These resources have not been allowed to remain altogether dormant. The Crown and Cumberland Steel Works, near the main line of the Baltimore and Ohio Railway, were built by local capitalists in 1872. The manufacture of tools and spring steel of superior quality is an extensive part of this business. The iron is procured in bar form and melted. Rollers of various sizes and an enormous steel hammer, with a striking force of five tons, are included in the equipment of the works. The peculiar qualities already noted of the Cumberland coal render it of especial value in the making of steel. About seventy men are employed by this company. The capacity of the works is ten tons of steel daily.
The Cumberland Rolling Mills are the most important works in the city and the largest of the kind in the State. These mills were built in 1867, by the Baltimore and Ohio road upon forty acres of land donated to them for the purpose by the city. Jut now they are operated under lease by the Cambria Iron Company which uses the product to supplement that of the great Grantier works at Johnsontown, Pa. At present about a thousand men are being employed at these mills, but this force will be greatly increased so [as] soon as the extensive additions now being made to the mills are completed.
In addition to the mineral wealth stored beneath their surface, the hills and mountains of this region bear a large and valuable supply of timber. Every railroad running westward from Cumberland has opened to this market a valuable tract of timber land. Both in lumber and bark, Cumberland has long done an extensive business. The tanneries located here produce leather of national reputation for uniformity of grain and texture and superiority of finish. There is a splendid supply of hard and soft woods convenient to the city and of superior quality.
The new region which has recently been opened up by the West Virginia Central and Pittsburgh Railway, presents great opportunities to the capitalists and manufacturer in wood who may decide to locate in Cumberland. This line of road runs from this city through a district of West Virginia which abounds in
THE FINEST KIND OF LUMBER
of almost every description-white and yellow pine, spruce, hemlock and the hard woods, such as oak, maple, cherry, walnut, &c. Great quantities of lumber are being shipped daily over this new road, which is steadily extending its rails into the vast timber forests of the State. From the extensive white spruce forests along this road large quantities of pulp wood are daily being shipped to Cumberland to supply a twelve-ton paper mill just completed. In conjunction with this advance the road has been building mammoth sawmills at easy distances. As a result there are many lumber and furniture mills established in Cumberland. The furniture produced is of substantial quality and finish. Still there is room in Cumberland for many more factories of a similar kind. A kindred industry in Cumberland is the cutting on the mountains of laurel and briar roots, from which the best of wooden pipes are manufactured and for which good prices are paid by Eastern manufactures. A pipe factory on the pot would probably be a good investment. One thing that should not be forgotten in discussing the industrial advantages of Cumberland is that labor is plentiful and cheap, owing to the low rents and moderate cost of living. The outside pay for day laborers is $1.25, yet on this the men manage to live more comfortable than they would on double the money in New York.
The industries of the city and county now established employ men principally, and there are but few factories open to women or boys. Consequently this class of light labor is unemployed to a greater extent than in the North, and there is a good opportunity for the establishment of mills employing help of this kind, which, though of a higher grade in point of education and intelligence than the same class of operators in the North, can yet be had more cheaply.
In the manufacture of hydraulic cement Cumberland holds second place in the world and first place in America. The Cumberland cement is produced at less cost than it can be manufactured anywhere else the world over. The supply of "Lower Helderburg" and other limestones from which the cement is made, is found in the suburbs of the city and seems inexhaustible. The stone is excellent quality, analyzing less than 3 per cent. of silica. The cement rock has been quarried for over thirty years by the Cumberland Hydraulic Cement Manufacturing Company. The cement produced is noted for the energy of its action, and will bear a greater admixture of sand than any other natural cement now in use. About one hundred and twenty men are employed by this company.
Another important industry in Cumberland is glass-making. The Cumberland Glass Works were established in 1883, by a number of practical workmen through the aid of the city's Committee on Manufactures. The works are devoted entirely to the manufacture of blown glassware, tumblers, glasses, bar and table supplies. Four hundred thousand dozen glasses were turned out by the company in 1891, and they found a ready sale. About one hundred and thirty men constitute the present working force of the works.
The F. Merten's Sons' glass factory manufactures bottles of every description, filling orders for bottles of any size, color or shape. This factory covers two acres of ground and gives employment to about two hundred and fifty men. The capacity of the factory is twenty-four pots, and the present output is upward of three hundred gross of bottles daily.
Among the other interests of this firm in Cumberland are a planning mill, a sash and blind factory and a vast lumber-yard, in which a million and a quarter feet of lumber is kept stored.
To return to Cumberland's mineral resources. Within the coal measures of the Cumberland coal field there are eight veins of pure fire clay, having an aggregate thickness of 53 feet 7 inches, besides other deposits in the adjoining counties of Pennsylvania. There are already several fire-brick factories in this section, which turn out a superior fire brick. Yet so great is the supply of clay that other similar factories would be welcomed.
There are several varieties of sandstone suitable for building purposes quarried in and around the city. Of these the yellow Oriskany sandstone and the pure white Medina sandstone are the cheapest and most suitable for building purposes. There are several other deposits adapted to the manufacture of glass. In the immediate vicinity of Cumberland there are beds of potter's clay and clay suitable for the manufacture of drain-pipe. Although the deposits could be exploited very profitably, there are no factories in either line at Cumberland. The opening in both directions is therefore a good one.
The country surrounding Cumberland produces large quantities of bread cereals. There are several flouring mills in the city which do a large and prosperous business, supplying the home demand and shipping to New York and Baltimore, and also to south American and other foreign ports. The grain grown is of excellent quality, most of it being raised on mountain land, the effect of which is to give the grain the density and strength of grain grown in the North. The pure mountain water and the ease with which rye and barley of superior quality can be procured has led to the establishment of a number of distilleries and breweries. Whiskey and beer both are made largely for foreign consumption as well as to supply the local demand.
While those above enumerated constitute the larger industries of Cumberland, they are far from including all. In each of the lines referred to, there are smaller factories whose products help materially to advance the volume of the city's output. There are also several cigar factories, carriage factories, coopers' material factories, soap factories, building-brick work, &c.
Before leaving the topic of Cumberland's industries, it should be said that the progressive citizens of the town, and there are many of them, are anxious that the advantages their city possessed as a productive point should be better known, and hopeful that these new industries will be established there. To this end they are willing to contribute.
Many of them are wealthy men whose co-operation in any well considered enterprise would insure its success. Quite a large amount of capital could be secured in Cumberland to aid in the establishment of iron and steel works of all kinds, wood and furniture factories, potteries, glass works, cement works or any manufacturing enterprise which might turn to account the raw materials with which the district surrounding the city is so abundantly supplied.
As the centre of a large territory in Maryland, West Virginia and Pennsylvania, Cumberland has become an important distributing point, and secured a pre-eminence in this direction which her magnificent railroad facilities are sure to retain for her. There are now a number of wholesale houses which are doing a large and profitable business. There are three national banks in Cumberland whose capital and surplus aggregate $600,000. There are also a number of smaller banks in the neighborhood, so that the monetary facilities for carrying on business are abundant.
There are other aspects to the city than its industrial. As a place of residence, it has many charms, not the least of which is its climate. The elements acknowledge the royalty of the Queen city. In summer, fresh breezes prevent the overheating of the town, and in winter, the storms break their force on its green walls, the Allegany hills, and roar gently over the city. Sometimes, there are sudden changes of temperature in the winter, but they do not seem to have any ill effects upon the people. The town is exceptionally healthy, and malarial diseases are unknown. Invalids find the invigorating mountain air of great benefit to them. Many people from the larger cities resort to Cumberland in summer to recuperate. It is easily accessible, being only four hours from Washington and five from Baltimore or Pittsburg. Within two hours by rail are Deer Park and Oakland, Mountain Lake Park, Bedford Springs, Berkeley Springs and other summer resorts of national fame. All these enjoy a climate identical with that of Cumberland. The situation of the city is most picturesque. It is built on both sides of Wills Creek, and the southern section of it extends along the east bank of the Potomac. The streets are wide and laid off as regularly as the topography of the site will admit. Baltimore street divides the northern and southern sections, and Centre street the eastern and western sections. The former street is the business thoroughfare, though a number of business houses front on Centre and other cross streets. At the eastern end of Baltimore street, the Baltimore and Ohio Railway tracts separate it from Baltimore avenue, on which are many fine residences and substantial homes. The West Virginia Central and Pittsburg Railway, on the eastern bank of Wills Creek, and the bridge across that watercourse divide Baltimore from Washington street, on either side of which are rows of the most beautiful homes in Maryland.
The City Hall and Academy of Music occupy an entire square and is the largest municipal structure in the State, outside of Baltimore. It was built in 1874-'6 at a cost of $90,000. The hall fronts on Centre street and is built of brick. The building, which is 72 feet high, has a tower which runs up 145 feet. On the ground floor is the city market, the upper floors being occupied by the council and civic officers. The theatre, one of the finest in the State, takes in the southern half of the building. Its furnishings, stage properties and scenery are equal to those of any metropolitan theatre.
Cumberland is a good place to live in. A brick or frame house of seven rooms can be rented at from
EIGHT TO TWELVE DOLLARS PER MONTH,
and large houses in proportion. At present there is not a vacant house in the city, and more will have to be built. The reason of the low rents is the low price of the land and the exceeding abundance and cheapness of building material. In spite of the figures quoted above it is profitable to build houses for rental in the city; but as a rule new-comers to the city are not long before they build homes of their own. Prosperity sits smiling on the face of the citizens, and excessive poverty is unknown.
There are two daily papers. The Times, and the Daily News, which are the leading papers in Western Maryland.
The city is supplied with water by the Holly system of water works owned by the city. There is a well-organized and equipped fire department which has at all times been able to control the fires that have visited the city. The streets are lighted by the Edison system of electric lights and gas. The public schools are well conducted and are supplemented by the Alleghany county Academy and other private schools. The churches are, one English Lutheran, two German Lutheran, four Methodist, one Baptist, two Catholic (English and German), one Presbyterian, one Protestant Episcopal, one Reformed Episcopal, one German Reformed, one Jewish Synagogue, and three colored, two Methodist and one Baptist. There is also a Young Men's Christian Association, with a well-equipped library and gymnasium. Cumberland is pre-eminently a city possessed of all the modern conveniences. Visitors find that there are several first-class hotels, the larges of which is the Queen city, built and owned by the Baltimore and Ohio Railway, and under the same able management as the hotels at Deer Park and Oakland. The most popular towns outside of Cumberland are Frostburg with a population of 3,804, and Western Port with a population of 1,526.
The chief mechanical industries outside of Cumberland are fire-brick works at Frostburg, Ellerslie and Mount Savage, and the Cumberland and Pennsylvania Railroad shops at the latter place. Coal-mining is the leading industry, and upon it the present prosperity of the county largely depends, but there is no apparent reason why, with the proper placing of capital, other interests could not be created to add materially to the county's wealth and population. Some attention has been paid to natural gas and oil development in two sections of the county, though as yet without positive result. The taxable basis of the county is $17,818,251. The annual amount of general mercantile business transacted in the entire county is estimated at $3,706,000, the greater portion of this being transacted in Cumberland and five of the larger towns.
SOURCE: Scharf, J. Thomas, "The natural & industrial resources and advantages of Maryland: being a complete description of all counties of the state and the city of Baltimore: together with an accurate statement of their soil, climate, antiquities, raw and manufactured products, agricultural and horticultural products, textile fabrics, alimentary products, manufacturing industries, minerals and ores, mines and mining, native woods, means of transportation, price of land, cheap living, ready markets, excellent homes, and the material and social advantages and unequaled opportunities Maryland possesses for those seeking homes, and for capitalists who wish to invest in industries that are sure to pay big dividends," C.H. Baughman & Co., Publisher; 1892, pp. 43-53.