Cumberland

History: Cumberland was an important stop on the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad and the western terminus of the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal, which supplied Union troops. Confederate cavalry raiders frequently threatened to destroy area railroad facilities and bridges, but there were only two Confederate attacks; one attack is known as McNeill's raid, where two Union Generals Benjamin Kelley and George Crook were captured in the middle of the night out of the comfort of their beds. Like citizens in many other cities in Maryland, some Cumberland residents supported the Union and others supported the Confederacy. During the war, Cumberland served as a hospital and supply base, and when the war ended, it became a demobilization center.

More to Explore: While visiting Constitution Park, visitors can partake in picnicking, a playground for children, and a swimming pool during the summer. Enjoy a stroll on the outdoor pedestrian plaza of Downtown Cumberland Mall on Baltimore Street, which offers an authentic, main street shopping experience for antiques, gifts and souvenirs, surrounded by a backdrop of mountain ranges. Savor outdoor dining on the mall, and then treat yourself to homemade ice cream at the local creamery on Harrison Street.

Photo Credits:

1. "View of North Cumberland." Photo courtesy of the Mayor and City Council of Cumberland, MD.
2. "C&O Canal near Cumberland." Photo courtesy of the Mayor and City Council of Cumberland, MD.