Oakland

History: On Sunday, April 26, 1863, when Oakland’s citizens emerged from church services, they found their town in possesion by the Southerners. A detachment of Confederate Captain John H. McNeill's partisan rangers under Colonel A.W. Harman had attacked the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad facilities here at Oakland. Confederates rounded up about 57 Union soldiers and four officers.

Meanwhile, a few Confederates rode west to the Youghiogheny River Railroad Bridge, where they captured the guards at Fort Alice, disarmed them, and burned the bridge.

More to Explore: Deep Creek Lake, Herrington Manor and Swallow Falls state parks provide plenty of opportunities for camping, hunting, boating, fishing, picnicking, cross country skiing and hiking. Join a Ranger for a guided hike or nature program at the Deep Creek Lake Discovery Center. A ski resort in McHenry will thrill the adventurous during the winter season, while an adventure sports center offers a white water rafting experience unlike any other during the warmer months!

Oakland and McHenry offer shopping venues, a wide selection of restaurants and lodging. In Oakland, Garrett County Historical Museum displays exhibits on Native American and military history, and portrays the people of Garrett County and their way of life.

Photo Credits:

1. “Liberty Street, Oakland, MD.” Photo courtesy of Cecouchman Wikimedia Commons under CC BY-SA 3.0; http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:LibertyStreet_OaklandMD_2577.jpg
2. “2nd Street, Oakland, MD.” Photo courtesy of Cecouchman Wikimedia Commons under CC BY-SA 3.0; http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:2ndStreet_OaklandMD_2589.jpg