Inns on the National Road
Encyclopedia
The Inns on the National Road is a national historic district
near Cumberland
, Allegany County, Maryland
. It originally consisted of 11 Maryland inns on the National Road
and located in Allegany and Garrett
counties. Those that remain stand as the physical remains of the almost-legendary hospitality offered on this well-traveled route to the west.
It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places
in 1976.
Historic district (United States)
In the United States, a historic district is a group of buildings, properties, or sites that have been designated by one of several entities on different levels as historically or architecturally significant. Buildings, structures, objects and sites within a historic district are normally divided...
near Cumberland
Cumberland, Maryland
Cumberland is a city in the far western, Appalachian portion of Maryland, United States. It is the county seat of Allegany County, and the primary city of the Cumberland, MD-WV Metropolitan Statistical Area. At the 2010 census, the city had a population of 20,859, and the metropolitan area had a...
, Allegany County, Maryland
Allegany County, Maryland
Allegany County is a county located in the northwestern part of the US state of Maryland. It is part of the Cumberland, MD-WV Metropolitan Statistical Area. As of 2010, the population was 75,087. Its county seat is Cumberland...
. It originally consisted of 11 Maryland inns on the National Road
National Road
The National Road or Cumberland Road was the first major improved highway in the United States to be built by the federal government. Construction began heading west in 1811 at Cumberland, Maryland, on the Potomac River. It crossed the Allegheny Mountains and southwestern Pennsylvania, reaching...
and located in Allegany and Garrett
Garrett County, Maryland
Garrett County is the westernmost county of the U.S. state of Maryland. Created from Allegany County, Maryland in 1872 it was the last Maryland county to be formed. It was named for John Work Garrett , railroad executive, industrialist, and financier. Garrett served as president of the Baltimore...
counties. Those that remain stand as the physical remains of the almost-legendary hospitality offered on this well-traveled route to the west.
It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places
National Register of Historic Places
The National Register of Historic Places is the United States government's official list of districts, sites, buildings, structures, and objects deemed worthy of preservation...
in 1976.
Allegany County
- Clarysville Inn site: The Clarysville Inn stood along the old section of the National Road, U.S. Route 40U.S. Route 40 in MarylandU.S. Route 40 in the U.S. state of Maryland runs from western Maryland to Cecil County in the state's northeastern corner. With a total length of over , it is the longest numbered highway in Maryland. Almost half of the road overlaps with Interstate 68 or Interstate 70, while the old alignment...
, to the south of the present road at Clarysville. It was a -story brick structure with flush double chimneys at the gable ends, built in the mid-19th century. The inn was used as a hospital during the American Civil WarAmerican Civil WarThe American Civil War was a civil war fought in the United States of America. In response to the election of Abraham Lincoln as President of the United States, 11 southern slave states declared their secession from the United States and formed the Confederate States of America ; the other 25...
and then used as a restaurant before it was destroyed by fire on March 10, 1999.
- Colonial Manor: Colonial Manor, or Turkey Flight Manor, is on the south side of present U.S. Route 40U.S. Route 40 in MarylandU.S. Route 40 in the U.S. state of Maryland runs from western Maryland to Cecil County in the state's northeastern corner. With a total length of over , it is the longest numbered highway in Maryland. Almost half of the road overlaps with Interstate 68 or Interstate 70, while the old alignment...
, north of old Route 40 in the Naves Crossroad area at the intersection of U.S. Route 220U.S. Route 220 in MarylandU.S. Route 220 is a part in the U.S. Highway System that runs from Rockingham, North Carolina to Waverly, New York. In Maryland, the federal highway runs from the West Virginia state line at the Potomac River in McCoole north to the Pennsylvania state line in Dickens...
. It is a -story, mid-19th-century classically influenced brick structure. It was altered in the 1940s when Route 40 was relocated to the north of the house. The building served as a hospital after the American Civil WarAmerican Civil WarThe American Civil War was a civil war fought in the United States of America. In response to the election of Abraham Lincoln as President of the United States, 11 southern slave states declared their secession from the United States and formed the Confederate States of America ; the other 25...
battle at nearby Falch's Mill in 1864.
- Early Frame House: Early Frame House is located on U.S. Route 40U.S. Route 40 in MarylandU.S. Route 40 in the U.S. state of Maryland runs from western Maryland to Cecil County in the state's northeastern corner. With a total length of over , it is the longest numbered highway in Maryland. Almost half of the road overlaps with Interstate 68 or Interstate 70, while the old alignment...
at Pleasant Grove on the slope of a hill several feet above the National Pike. It is a -story, mid-19th-century frame structure with a tin-covered gable roof.
- Five Mile House: Five Mile House is one mile west of Four Mile House and five miles west of CumberlandCumberland, MarylandCumberland is a city in the far western, Appalachian portion of Maryland, United States. It is the county seat of Allegany County, and the primary city of the Cumberland, MD-WV Metropolitan Statistical Area. At the 2010 census, the city had a population of 20,859, and the metropolitan area had a...
, on U.S. Route 40U.S. Route 40 in MarylandU.S. Route 40 in the U.S. state of Maryland runs from western Maryland to Cecil County in the state's northeastern corner. With a total length of over , it is the longest numbered highway in Maryland. Almost half of the road overlaps with Interstate 68 or Interstate 70, while the old alignment...
at La ValeLa Vale, MarylandLa Vale is a census-designated place in Allegany County, Maryland, United States. It is part of the 'Cumberland, MD-WV Metropolitan Statistical Area'...
. It is two and a half stories high and five bays in width, with a large cross gable.
- Flintstone Hotel: Flintstone Hotel, also called the Piper Hotel, is located on U.S. Route 40U.S. Route 40 in MarylandU.S. Route 40 in the U.S. state of Maryland runs from western Maryland to Cecil County in the state's northeastern corner. With a total length of over , it is the longest numbered highway in Maryland. Almost half of the road overlaps with Interstate 68 or Interstate 70, while the old alignment...
at FlintstoneFlintstone, MarylandFlintstone is a small unincorporated town in Allegany County, Maryland, USA. Flintstone lies between the southern foot of Tussey Mountain and a water gap in the Warrior Mountain formed by Flintstone Creek, north of the North Branch Potomac River and south of the Mason-Dixon Line. Rocky Gap State...
. It is a large -story classically influenced brick structure the early to mid-19th century. It is said to have been built originally about 1807 for John Davis (a large landowner) as a private residence. Well-known visitors to the hotel are believed to include the Marquis de Lafayette (1824), Henry ClayHenry ClayHenry Clay, Sr. , was a lawyer, politician and skilled orator who represented Kentucky separately in both the Senate and in the House of Representatives...
, and Theodore RooseveltTheodore RooseveltTheodore "Teddy" Roosevelt was the 26th President of the United States . He is noted for his exuberant personality, range of interests and achievements, and his leadership of the Progressive Movement, as well as his "cowboy" persona and robust masculinity...
.
- Four Mile House: Four Mile House is one mile east of Five Mile House and four miles west of CumberlandCumberland, MarylandCumberland is a city in the far western, Appalachian portion of Maryland, United States. It is the county seat of Allegany County, and the primary city of the Cumberland, MD-WV Metropolitan Statistical Area. At the 2010 census, the city had a population of 20,859, and the metropolitan area had a...
, on U.S. Route 40U.S. Route 40 in MarylandU.S. Route 40 in the U.S. state of Maryland runs from western Maryland to Cecil County in the state's northeastern corner. With a total length of over , it is the longest numbered highway in Maryland. Almost half of the road overlaps with Interstate 68 or Interstate 70, while the old alignment...
at La ValeLa Vale, MarylandLa Vale is a census-designated place in Allegany County, Maryland, United States. It is part of the 'Cumberland, MD-WV Metropolitan Statistical Area'...
. It is a -story, mid-19th-century brick structure of Greek RevivalGreek Revival architectureThe Greek Revival was an architectural movement of the late 18th and early 19th centuries, predominantly in Northern Europe and the United States. A product of Hellenism, it may be looked upon as the last phase in the development of Neoclassical architecture...
influence. An IonicIonic orderThe Ionic order forms one of the three orders or organizational systems of classical architecture, the other two canonic orders being the Doric and the Corinthian...
-columned porch with a turned balustrade stretches across at the first floor level. It was built about 1840 for Samuel Eckles and rebuilt after a fire in the late 1950s or early 1960s destroyed the second floor rooms.
- Six Mile House: Six Mile House is located six miles east of CumberlandCumberland, MarylandCumberland is a city in the far western, Appalachian portion of Maryland, United States. It is the county seat of Allegany County, and the primary city of the Cumberland, MD-WV Metropolitan Statistical Area. At the 2010 census, the city had a population of 20,859, and the metropolitan area had a...
, on the Baltimore Turnpike, also known as the National Road and later renamed U.S. Route 40U.S. Route 40 in MarylandU.S. Route 40 in the U.S. state of Maryland runs from western Maryland to Cecil County in the state's northeastern corner. With a total length of over , it is the longest numbered highway in Maryland. Almost half of the road overlaps with Interstate 68 or Interstate 70, while the old alignment...
. It is a -story brick structure built during the 1830s–1840s.
- Stone House: Stone House is on an abandoned section of U.S. Route 40U.S. Route 40 in MarylandU.S. Route 40 in the U.S. state of Maryland runs from western Maryland to Cecil County in the state's northeastern corner. With a total length of over , it is the longest numbered highway in Maryland. Almost half of the road overlaps with Interstate 68 or Interstate 70, while the old alignment...
at Pleasant ValleyPleasant Valley (Maryland)Pleasant Valley is a small valley in Washington County, Maryland, United States.-Geography:The valley is bound by South Mountain to the east, Elk Ridge to the west and the Potomac River to the south. To the north the valley opens up to connect with the Hagerstown Valley near Boonsboro...
, about two miles west of FlintstoneFlintstone, MarylandFlintstone is a small unincorporated town in Allegany County, Maryland, USA. Flintstone lies between the southern foot of Tussey Mountain and a water gap in the Warrior Mountain formed by Flintstone Creek, north of the North Branch Potomac River and south of the Mason-Dixon Line. Rocky Gap State...
. It is the shell of an early-19th-century, -story stone structure with a gable roof. It was supposedly built about 1819 as a tavern for Jonas Street.
Garrett County
- Casselman (Hotel): Casselman (Hotel) is located on U.S. Route 40U.S. Route 40 in MarylandU.S. Route 40 in the U.S. state of Maryland runs from western Maryland to Cecil County in the state's northeastern corner. With a total length of over , it is the longest numbered highway in Maryland. Almost half of the road overlaps with Interstate 68 or Interstate 70, while the old alignment...
at GrantsvilleGrantsville, MarylandGrantsville is a town in Garrett County, Maryland, United States. The population was 619 at the 2000 census.-History:Grantsville, 1/2 mile west of the Casselman River, began as a small Amish and Mennonite settlement, called Tomlinson's or Little Crossing, along Braddock rd., which wound westward...
. It is a -story, Greek RevivalGreek Revival architectureThe Greek Revival was an architectural movement of the late 18th and early 19th centuries, predominantly in Northern Europe and the United States. A product of Hellenism, it may be looked upon as the last phase in the development of Neoclassical architecture...
brick structure, built about 1842. It was built for Solomon Sterner to serve travelers on the National Road.
- National Hotel (demolished): The National Hotel was on U.S. Route 40U.S. Route 40 in MarylandU.S. Route 40 in the U.S. state of Maryland runs from western Maryland to Cecil County in the state's northeastern corner. With a total length of over , it is the longest numbered highway in Maryland. Almost half of the road overlaps with Interstate 68 or Interstate 70, while the old alignment...
at Maryland Route 495Maryland Route 495Maryland Route 495 is a state highway in the U.S. state of Maryland. Known for most of its length as Bittinger Road, the state highway runs from MD 135 in Altamont north to U.S. Route 40 Alternate in Grantsville. MD 495 passes through rural areas of central Garrett County, connecting Bittinger...
, GrantsvilleGrantsville, MarylandGrantsville is a town in Garrett County, Maryland, United States. The population was 619 at the 2000 census.-History:Grantsville, 1/2 mile west of the Casselman River, began as a small Amish and Mennonite settlement, called Tomlinson's or Little Crossing, along Braddock rd., which wound westward...
. It was a -story, 19th-century hip-roofed frame structure built about 1842. It was built for Henry Fuller, an innkeeper from Salisbury, PennsylvaniaSalisbury, PennsylvaniaSalisbury is a borough in Somerset County, Pennsylvania, United States. The population was 878 at the 2000 census. It is part of the Johnstown, Pennsylvania Metropolitan Statistical Area.-History:...
, on the site of the Lehman House, an earlier hostelry. It has been demolished.
- Penn Alps, Main Building: Penn Alps, Main Building, stands between present U.S. 40U.S. Route 40 in MarylandU.S. Route 40 in the U.S. state of Maryland runs from western Maryland to Cecil County in the state's northeastern corner. With a total length of over , it is the longest numbered highway in Maryland. Almost half of the road overlaps with Interstate 68 or Interstate 70, while the old alignment...
and old U.S. 40, east of GrantsvilleGrantsville, MarylandGrantsville is a town in Garrett County, Maryland, United States. The population was 619 at the 2000 census.-History:Grantsville, 1/2 mile west of the Casselman River, began as a small Amish and Mennonite settlement, called Tomlinson's or Little Crossing, along Braddock rd., which wound westward...
. It was built in the early 19th century as a log house, then enlarged to two and a half stories, and "modernized" in the ItalianateItalianate architectureThe Italianate style of architecture was a distinct 19th-century phase in the history of Classical architecture. In the Italianate style, the models and architectural vocabulary of 16th-century Italian Renaissance architecture, which had served as inspiration for both Palladianism and...
style in the late 19th century. It was converted for commercial use with major renovations and additions in the 20th century.
- Tomlinson Inn and The Little Meadows: Tomlinson Inn and The Little Meadows is located on U.S. Route 40U.S. Route 40 in MarylandU.S. Route 40 in the U.S. state of Maryland runs from western Maryland to Cecil County in the state's northeastern corner. With a total length of over , it is the longest numbered highway in Maryland. Almost half of the road overlaps with Interstate 68 or Interstate 70, while the old alignment...
at GrantsvilleGrantsville, MarylandGrantsville is a town in Garrett County, Maryland, United States. The population was 619 at the 2000 census.-History:Grantsville, 1/2 mile west of the Casselman River, began as a small Amish and Mennonite settlement, called Tomlinson's or Little Crossing, along Braddock rd., which wound westward...
. It is a large, rectangular, stone structure built on a hillside. It was constructed about 1818 and has two full stories plus an attic and basement. It was one of the earliest hostelries on the National Road, built by Jesse Tomlinson. In 1845, President James K. PolkJames K. PolkJames Knox Polk was the 11th President of the United States . Polk was born in Mecklenburg County, North Carolina. He later lived in and represented Tennessee. A Democrat, Polk served as the 17th Speaker of the House of Representatives and the 12th Governor of Tennessee...
stopped on the way to his inauguration.
- It was listed on the National Register of Historic PlacesNational Register of Historic PlacesThe National Register of Historic Places is the United States government's official list of districts, sites, buildings, structures, and objects deemed worthy of preservation...
in 1973.
External links
- Clarysville Inn, site, Allegany County, including undated photo, at Maryland Historical Trust
- Colonial Manor, Allegany County, including photo from 1975, at Maryland Historical Trust
- Early Frame House, Allegany County, including photo from 1974, at Maryland Historical Trust
- Five Mile House, Allegany County, including photo from 1974, at Maryland Historical Trust
- Flintstone Hotel, Allegany County, including photo from 1974, at Maryland Historical Trust
- Four Mile House, Allegany County, including photo from 1974, at Maryland Historical Trust
- Six Mile House, Allegany County, including photo from 1974, at Maryland Historical Trust
- Stone House, Allegany County, including photo from 1975, at Maryland Historical Trust
- Casselman (Hotel), Garrett County, including photo from 1974, at Maryland Historical Trust
- National Hotel (Demolished), Garrett County, including photo from 1974, at Maryland Historical Trust
- Penn Alps, Main Building, Garrett County, including photo from 1974, at Maryland Historical Trust
- Tomlinson Inn and The Little Meadows, Garrett County, including photo from 1987, at Maryland Historical Trust