The National Road
The National Road (also known as the Cumberland Road) was constructed between 1811 and 1818 along the general route of Braddock's Road. Extending from Cumberland, MD to Wheeling, WV, it was the first federally financed highway in the U.S., receiving funding under Thomas Jefferson's presidency in 1806. As one of the most important east-west routes in the nation, it brought mail, freight and travelers through this area. By 1818, stagecoaches ran regularly scheduled routes. Traffic on the National Road peaked in the years between 1822 and 1852. An abundance of accommodations existed for the traveler, some of which can still be seen today.Look for interpretive signs along the National Road in Garrett County at the following points: The Long Stretch (at the Hen House Restaurant) Blazing Braddock's Road (at Big Savage Mountain) The Casselman River Bridge (Casselman River State Park) Leo J. Beachy (Grantsville Community Museum) Grantsville (E. Main Street and S. Yoder Street) The Fuller Baker Log House (Grantsville) Negro Mountain (Negro Mountain Summit) Keyser’s Ridge (McDonald’s Restaurant) The State Line (Pig’s Ear Road& Route 40)Directions: From I-68, take Exit 29 to Alt. 40 West (National Road) The first marker will be on the left near the Hen House Restaurant. Continue west to see the Blazing Braddock's Road marker, and on to Grantsville to see the Casselman River Bridge, the Leo J. Beachy, Grantsville, and the Fuller Baker Log House markers. From Grantsville, the National Road continues to Negro Mountain, Keyser's Ridge and the State Line.http://marylandnationalroad.org/travel-the-road/map-and-guide/garrett-county/
Penn Alps
Penn Alps Restaurant and Craft Shop are housed in the last log hospitality house on the National Pike still serving the traveler. It is situated between a 1797 gristmill and a historic stone arch bridge (the longest single span of stone in America when built in 1813), Three of its six dining rooms were once part of the log stagecoach stop, Little Crossings Inn.Penn Alps Restaurant offers a varied menu, including its well-known daily soup and salad bar and weekend buffets. The German ancestry of the Amish and Mennonite charter members of this nonprofit organization is reflected in many entrees on the menu.The largest handicraft shop in the area is housed with the restaurant in the six times enlarged complex, of which the original log tavern is the core. Today the total crafts producer count is some 2,350 (dating back to 1958). Most of the craftsmen are residents of the Tri-State area.Location: 125 Casselman Road, Grantsville, MDDirections: From the Long Stretch marker, continue west on the National Road. Penn Alps will be approximately 8.5 miles on the right.Hours: Summer Hours: Monday – Friday 11 a.m. – 8 p.m.; Saturday and Sunday, 8 a.m. – 8 p.m.Winter Hours: (November 2 – May 31) Monday – Thursday 11 a.m. – 7 p.m. Friday 11 a.m. – 8 p.m. Saturday 8 a.m. – 8 p.m. Sunday 8 a.m. – 6 p.m.Phone: 301-895-5985http://www.pennalps.com/ordereze/default.aspx
Casselman Bridge
When the Casselman Bridge was erected in 1813, it was the longest single span stone arch bridge in the United States. Skeptics predicted that the 80' long bridge would collapse once the supporting timbers were removed. Not only did it remain standing, but it continued to serve as an important link on the National Road from 1813 to 1933. Though it no longer carries vehicular traffic, the bridge is open to pedestrians and remains a picturesque relic of Maryland's transportation history and a tribute to the men who built the National Road.Location: 10240 National Pike, Grantsville MD 21536Directions: From Penn Alps, take a left on Alt. Route 40, National Road. The Casselman Bridge State Park entrance is right across the bridge.Hours: 8 a.m. to SunsetAdmission: freePhone: 301-895-5453http://dnr2.maryland.gov/publiclands/Pages/western/casselman.aspx
Grantsville Museum
The Grantsville Community Museum is dedicated to relating the history of Grantsville and Western Maryland through its collection of photographs and artifacts donated by the community. The collection includes the stunning photographic legacy of Leo Beachy, a poet and photographer recording local history from 1905-1927; artifacts from Braddock's Trail; and artifacts and information about the B-52 Bomber crash near Grantsville on January 13, 1964.The Museum is located in building that formerly house the First State Bank.Location:153 Main Street, Grantsville, Maryland 21536Directions: From Casselman Bridge State Park, take a left on Alt. Route 40 National Road and proceed to Grantsville. (Approximately 1 mi.)Hours: Fridays and Saturdays from May to October from 1 to 4 p.m. Visitors can request information or special tours of the Museum by calling Gerry Beachy at 301-707-7200 or Lynn Patton at 301-616-6126.Admission: Free, accepts donationsPhone: 301-895-5454http://www.garrettcountymuseums.com/grantsvillemuseum.html
Casselman Inn
The Casselman was one of the numerous inns along the National Road to serve travelers heading west. Built by Solomon Sterner in 1852 of locally made brick, each room was originally equipped with a fireplace for heating and cooking. In the over 180 years of the Casselman's history, it has been called by various names including,Drover's Inn, Framer's Hotel, and Dorsey's Hotel. Today, it continues to serve the local community and the traveler as a restaurant and inn.Location: Main Street (Alt. US 40) in Grantsville, MDRestaurant Hours: Monday –Thursday, 7 a.m. – 8 p.m. Friday – Saturday 7 a.m. – 9 p.m. Closed SundayPhone: Lodging Reservations 301-895-5055; Restaurant 301-895-5266http://www.thecasselman.com/history.phpFrom here, continue west on the National Road to Keyser's Ridge and to the State Line, or take 219 S at Keyser's Ridge to Oakland for Part II of the Transportation Tour.
