5 Historical Sites Near Grantsville, Maryland that You Should See
If learning about the past interests you, you will enjoy learning about the rich history of Grantsville and Garrett County, Maryland. The Grantsville-area saw the passage of famous men like George Washington and General Braddock, and their travels prompted the construction of the famous National Road. Numerous inns opened up to serve the stagecoaches, covered wagons, drivers and riders that journeyed along this well-traveled route. Few of those inns remain, but we are proud to say The Casselman is one of them. Next time you pass through, we invite you to slow down and learn about some of the histories our community has to offer. Read on to learn more about five of our favorite historical sites near Grantsville, Maryland.
THE NATIONAL ROAD
The National Road, also known as the Cumberland Road, was the first federally funded highway in the United States. The National Road was constructed between 1811 and 1818, and it ran from Cumberland, Maryland, to Wheeling, West Virginia. The National Road was later extended to Vandalia, Illinois. As more and more Americans went west, the road grew in popularity and became crowded with stagecoaches, covered wagons, freighters and men on horseback. Andrew Jackson, William Henry Harrison, James K. Polk and Zachary Taylor all traveled the National Road to our nation’s capital. However, traffic decreased on the National Road once the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad crossed over the mountains of western Maryland.
Today, you can still travel the National Road and visit many historical sites along the way, like the Lavalle Toll Gate House — the only remaining toll gate on the National Road in Maryland. If you would like to take a drive, we suggest a short trip along Alt-40 through the northern section of Savage River State Forest (the largest state forest in Maryland) over Keyser’s Ridge to the Mason-Dixon line.
CASSELMAN RIVER BRIDGE STATE PARK
Casselman River Bridge State Park comprises four acres and is located in eastern Grantsville on Route 40. When it was built in 1813, it was the longest single-span stone arch bridge in the United States (with an 80-foot span) and served as an essential link on the National Road until 1933. Although the bridge no longer carries vehicular traffic, it is open to pedestrians and is accessible for disabled visitors. Casselman River Bridge State Park is a popular spot for picnics, fly fishing, photography, and, of course, history buffs.
THE CASSELMAN
The Casselman was built in 1842 and was one of the numerous inns along the National Road to serve the stagecoaches, covered wagons, drivers and riders that made the Old Pike the busiest thoroughfare crossing the mountains. In our 180 years of history, we have been called Drover’s Inn, Farmer’s Hotel, Dorsey’s Hotel and most notably, The Casselman.
Daniel Grant, an English engineer from whom the town of Grantsville took its name, was the original owner of a tract of land that he called Cornucopia. It included much of Grantsville and one thousand acres around the town. A later owner, Solomon Sterner, built The Casselman with brick that was handmade and burnt on the land. Much of the woodwork was fashioned from hand-hewn timbers and hand-planed boards. Each room in the original three-story federal brick house contained a fireplace, the only heat source for warmth and cooking. Later in 1903, a kitchen was added by the Dorseys.
In 1964, Ivan and Della Miller acquired The Casselman. The business soon outgrew the facilities, and the Millers added a dining room, antique shop, bakeshop and forty-unit motel. The Miller family also named and decorated the charming and historic Dorsey Suite, which you can learn more about here.
The Casselman continues today as a second-generation family-owned business. We are proud to be a historic landmark in western Maryland and still provide the same legendary hospitality and service offered to our guests in 1842. You can learn more about our promise to exceptional customer service here.
SPRUCE FOREST ARTISAN VILLAGE
Spruce Forest Artisan Village is located in the heart of Little Crossings. Little Crossings emerged as a small settlement before the town of Grantsville was established and was where George Washington and General Braddock forded the Little Youghiogheny (also known as the Casselman River) while traveling to Fort Duquesne in 1755. In the 1800s, the Little Crossings settlement grew to include a log tavern, general store, blacksmith shop, sawmill and gristmill.
Today, Spruce Forest Artisan Village has become a place for artists to showcase their designs, genres and media specific to the area. Artisans work in historic buildings and make wood carvings, baskets, bird carvings, weavings and hand-thrown pottery — which are available to purchase. You can learn more about our favorite shops to buy souvenirs and gifts in the Grantsville-area here.
OAKLAND B&O RAILROAD STATION
The Oakland B&O Railroad Station, located in Oakland, Maryland, is a stunning example of a Queen Anne-style railway station. In 1872, Garrett County (the county in which Oakland and Grantsville are located) was named in honor of John Garrett, the President of the B&O Railroad. The Oakland B&O Railroad Station was later built in 1884, and in 1974, it was added to the National Register of Historic Places. The station has since undergone a complete, historically-accurate renovation.
The Oakland B&O Museum, which opened in 2013, is free to tour but is temporarily closed. Outside the station, visitors can still view a restored 1920s Baldwin steam locomotive, tender, boxcar and caboose on display.
VISITING GRANTSVILLE? CONTACT THE CASSELMAN TODAY
While you are visiting any of these historical sites in and around Grantsville, Maryland, including our very own Casselman, we would love for you to book a room with us at The Casselman Inn or The Casselman Motel or check out The Casselman Inn Restaurant for a delicious home-cooked meal. If you have any questions, please feel free to call us at 301-895-5055, or contact us online here. We look forward to the opportunity to serve you!