Cumberland

Cumberland is the county seat of Allegany County in western Maryland, located where ridges narrow into a river valley. Streets run parallel to the waterway and climb into neighborhoods that spread across surrounding slopes.

The settlement began in 1750 as a frontier outpost and grew into a departure point for pioneers heading west. Canal construction and later railroad expansion turned it into a transfer hub for coal and manufactured goods.

Downtown buildings reflect the railroad era, with brick warehouses and station structures that once served freight and passenger lines. Local walking tours follow routes where workers moved between mills and rail yards during the industrial period.

Walking works well in the downtown area, though a car helps for reaching sites spread across the valley. Most services cluster along main streets that follow the river, with parking available near shops and restaurants.

A tunnel system beneath downtown once connected warehouses and storefronts, allowing goods to move without crossing streets above. Some of these underground passages remain, though they are no longer open to the public.

Location: Allegany County

Inception: 1787

Elevation above the sea: 191 m

Website: https://cumberlandmd.gov

GPS coordinates: 39.65278,-78.76250

Latest update: December 13, 2025 15:40