Frostburg Maryland
“It’s Just Cooler Here!”
Town of Frostburg MD
Frostburg is a city in Allegany County, Maryland, and is located at the head of the Georges Creek Valley. Frostburg is one of the first cities on the “National Road”, US 40, and the western terminal of the Western Maryland Scenic Railroad. Nestled in Maryland’s Appalachian highlands, the area rich in its mining, educational heritage is also known for cooler climates and outdoor recreation. Its location provides easy access to Pennsylvania and West Virginia, while the major metropolitan areas of Pittsburgh, Washington, D.C., and Baltimore are only a few hours away.
Frostburg, Maryland is a small college town in the Western Maryland Blue Ridge Mountains. Frostburg State University, a four-year graduate and undergraduate public university, is what drives the economy of many Blue Ridge Mountain cities and towns. The university is actually part of Frostburg’s Mountain City Arts and Entertainment District. Frostburg is a Historic Main Street community with many “turn of the century” homes, and is a growing municipality. Frostburg provides six community parks for recreational activities.
History of Frostburg MD
Frostburg was originally called Mount Pleasant until 1820, when the government developed a postal service, and the town was renamed Frostburg, after Meshach Frost.
Frostburg was started back in 1811 when surveying began for the National Pike, a road used to transport crops and raw materials to East Coast markets fro the Midwest plains. President Thomas Jefferson had authorized construction of the road in 1806. Meshach Frost built the first house in present-day Frostburg in 1812 and named it Highland Hall. The site of St. Michael’s Church and Rectory is built on the remnants of Highland Hall. This building was a popular stopping point for celebrities and dignitaries who traveled the National Pike.
The Baltimore and Ohio Railroad and the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal reached Cumberland a town 8 miles away in 1842 and 1850. Travel at the time on the National Pike saw a steady decline, although travel through Frostburg did not. Frostburg became a coal mining town and was its first major economy of the small rising town. The industry faced transportation problems of the coal in its early years due to the mountains of western Maryland and Frostburg. Not until the completion of the railroads did the coal industry in Frostburg began to flourish. The first major coal producer was Meshech Frost, who owned a significant amount of land for mining and founded the Frostburg Coal Company.
The Mount Savage Railroad was the first to build a rail line to Frostburg in 1852, and it connected to the B&O Railroad in Cumberland, as well as the C&O Canal. The Cumberland and Pennsylvania Railroad took over the Mount Savage line in 1854, and expanded with the construction of a tunnel under the town of Frostburg, and a rail line southward to Piedmont, West Virginia.
Another major business, the Big Savage Fire Brick Company was the manufacture of fire brick beginning in 1864. The company began utilizing the high-grade fire clays which are found in the area. Big Savage Fire Brick Company is still one of the main suppliers of fire bricks on the East Coast today.
After his presidency, Harry Truman on Father’s Day in 1953, traveled to Frostburg. The Trumans were very kind, signed autographs, and talked with people who recognized them. The Trumans also visited the Princess Restaurant to eat. This is the only family-owned business from the time period that still exists, and it attracts customers with its Truman photographs and the Truman booth, where the Trumans dined.
Frostburg State University
Founded in 1898 by Maryland Governor Lloyd Lowndes, Jr.; the university places primary emphasis on its role as a teaching and learning institution. Major areas of concentration are offered in education, business, science and technology, the creative and performing arts, and selected programs in the humanities and social sciences. Frostburg University offers 44 different undergraduate majors, 17 graduate programs, and a doctorate in educational leadership.
The Western Maryland Scenic Railroad
Your adventure begins at the historic Western Maryland Railway Station in the “Queen City” of Cumberland. Enjoy the sights, smells, and sounds of your journey behind a vintage steam or diesel engines from the comfort of one of our restored coaches. The train excursion travels west from downtown Cumberland, through a natural cut in the mountains, around a horseshoe curve, over bridges, and through a tunnel. As you glide past scenic ridges, valleys, and small towns, you’ll ascend 1,300 feet in elevation to the “Mountain City” of Frostburg. A narrator will be your guide to the views and history along the way!
Derby Days at Frostburg
During the Fourth of July, the Frostburg Elks host the annual Derby Days on Main Street. This is a fun filled day of soapbox racing and good food and great times. The parade starts at 11:30am and the races takes place from 12pm-3pm For more info call 301-689-6470.
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Frostburg MD Tourism Listings
Charlies Motel is a quaint, small town motel nestled at the base of Big Savage Mountain in Historic Frostburg, Maryland.
Charlie’s Motel is a quaint, small town motel nestled at the base of Big Savage Mountain in Historic Frostburg, Maryland.
Most of the rooms are on the ground floor for easy access, and all of the rooms come equipped with a small refrigerator, microwave, and free Wifi.
Charlie’s Motel has the Hurryback Tavern on premises that boasts a cozy pub atmosphere with video games, internet jukebox, skill pool table, regulation pool table and delicious bar snacks!
They are located conveniently to a Laundromat, Sand Springs Steakhouse, and Frostburg’s own The ‘Freeze’ where you can get a burger and satisfy your sweet tooth with one of their ice cream creations!
Walking distance to both casual and fine dining, shopping, train station and bike routes. Just one mile to Frostburg State University campus and a large, pristine community pool.
The Clarysville Motel is located at 16300 National Highway, SW in Frostburg, Maryland. The Clarysville Motel has large size rooms with a lot of light, fresh air, individual a/c, heating units and a sitting area in each room.
10 rooms are available on a weekly or monthly basis with microwaves, refrigerators, ovens, coffee maker and mini-kitchen and are also are equipped with a 25″ color tv with cable.
This historic motel has been serving the travelers along the National Highway for more than 50 years. Surrounding buildings were constructed by the military and have long since been demolished.
Local Veteran owned and operated live bait business with indoor archery range and Pro shop. Authorized dealer of Mathews, Mission, and Genesis Bows and Crossbows. 24 hour live bait machine on site.
Serving Frostburg, Maryland, and The Great Allegany Passage with great prices and a great stay, with an experience you won’t forget! Trail Inn offers 12 rooms, private baths, cable TV, air conditioning, and laundry facilities. A shuttle is available for guests coming off the trail.
Our campground is located on the hill behind the Trail Inn. It is a tent campground with great views. It features picnic tables, BBQ grills, and a bathhouse with private showers. We know that you are traveling light so we provide everything you need to freshen up from soap to towels. We also have a handicapped accessible tent site along with show.
The Liberty Room our hostel has 11 comfortable beds that are available individually or perfect for larger groups. We know that sometimes you just need out of the elements but want to keep the journey going by meet some amazing people biking along the trail. The hostel includes a hot shower with everything needed to get cleaned up and back on the trail.
Our private rooms offer a host of amenities like cable tv, air-conditioning, private bath, free WiFi, bike wash, and more. The rooms feature queen beds, queen beds with a pull out couch, and a room that has 4 bunk beds. It is the perfect room for some R&R before heading back out or while staying in Frostburg to see the many sights of our area.
The Arby’s brand purpose is Inspiring Smiles Through Delicious Experiences®. Arby’s delivers on its purpose by celebrating the art of Meatcraft® with a variety of high-quality proteins and innovative, crave-able sides, such as Curly Fries and Jamocha shakes. Arby’s Fast Crafted® restaurant services feature a unique blend of quick-serve speed combined with the quality and made-for-you care of fast casual. Arby’s Restaurant Group, Inc. is the franchiser of the Arby’s Brand and is headquartered in Atlanta, Ga.
Rocky Gap State Park encompasses over 3,000 acres of public land for guests to enjoy. Rugged mountains surround the park, which also features 243-acre Lake Habeeb. The lake is fed by Rocky Gap Run, which winds through an impressive mile-long gap displaying sheer cliffs, overlooks, and a Hemlock forest dense with Rhododendron.
Rocky Gap Campground offers 260+ individual campsites (including 30 sites equipped with 30-amp electric hook-ups). The campground also has 14 Mini Cabins, a Yurt, a family group site, and two youth group camping areas. The campground also features a dumping station, bathhouses with hot water in each loop, the Scales & Tales Aviary, canoe/kayak/SUP board rentals (Memorial Day weekend to Labor Day), a nature center, a private swimming beach, a playground, trail access, Snack Shack, and a camp store.
Pets are only allowed in select locations.
Reservations are available May-December. Make reservations online at https://parkreservations.maryland.gov or call the reservation center at 1.888.432.2267.
The Frostburg Inn is conveniently and centrally located on Main Street in Frostburg, featuring 16 rooms and offering pet-friendly accommodations. The Frostburg Inn is conveniently and centrally located on Main Street in Frostburg. They have 16 newly renovated rooms, non-smoking rooms, and pet-friendly options. All rooms are climate controlled and have Direct TV, Telephone, and complimentary Wi-Fi.
Historic hotel and banquet facility located in the heart of the Arts and Entertainment District of the City of Frostburg.
The Hotel Gunter has a rich history beginning in 1897 when it opened as the Hotel Gladstone. It boasted 100 rooms, a barbershop and a cafe, along with tennis courts and a petting farm complete with a tame fawn. A fifth-floor observation deck offered majestic views of the town of Frostburg and the surrounding Allegheny Mountains.
While the initial venture was not a success, the hotel was purchased in 1903 by William Gunter for the grand total of $35,000. He renamed it Hotel Gunter and spent the next twenty years making additions including electrical lighting, a 175-seat dining room and a pressed tin ceiling and mahogany bar. By that time, Hotel Gunter was, by one account, “one of the finest hotels and restaurants between Baltimore and Pittsburgh.”
The hotel offered even more intrigue during the early 20th century. Because federal agents were transporting prisoners from the Midwest to Washington, DC, Gunter built a jail cell in the basement. While not in use, the cell is still part of the hotel.
During Prohibition, Mr. Gunter ran a speakeasy that doubled as a cockfighting arena.
Today, Hotel Gunter is home to Toasted Goat Winery, featuring locally made wine. Open 7 days a week, guests of the winery can sample a variety of wines and enjoy lunch and or dinner.
The hotel also features an event venue that is perfect for weddings, parties, reunions and more. Chef Phil is on hand to design the perfect menu.
There are still 12 rooms available for overnight accommodations. History, comfort, and style are all part of the Hotel Gunter charm.
Shaw Mansion is registered historic residence built in 1872. It is nearly 6,000 square foot and has over 20 rooms and features 8 working fireplaces. It sits on 6 acres and is nestled in the beautiful Georges Creek region of Allegany County, Maryland.
Scales & Tales is an educational program using injured, non-releasable birds of prey and reptiles native to Maryland. Featured at the Rocky Gap State Park Aviary are many birds that have been injured and cannot be released or have been raised in captivity and could not survive in the wild.
This one-of-a-kind program allows visitors the opportunity to view wildlife up close and hear the tales of how the animals became part of the program.
If you are looking for something unique at your next gathering, a Scales & Tales program can be scheduled as part of your special event.
To check for program availability, scheduling or to receive information on program costs, please contact the park office at 301.722.1480 or via e-mail to Ranger Barger at kathryn.barger@maryland.go.
The Rocky Gap State Park Aviary does not have regularly scheduled open hours. However, visitors may schedule a visit Labor Day through Memorial Day based on staff availability. Modified hours from Memorial Day to Labor Day allow visitors to observe feeding and training of the birds.
For an additional service charge, visitors may reserve a private Critter Encounter or Aviary Tour. Contact Park Headquarters at 301.722.1480 for more information on Scales & Tales or an updated program schedule.
The home is located in historic downtown Frostburg – within walking distance to the FSU campus, unique restaurants, shops and, yes, a “tavern” or two. Best of all, it is a short pedal from the Great Allegheny Passage, with the local trail head situated just a half-mile or so from the B&B.
Once known as both Mt. Pleasant and Frost Town, Frostburg came into being thanks to the National Road, which carried early 1800s travelers along an east-west corridor, past a small log home built by city founder Meshach Frost. The community became a stagecoach stop offering weary travelers drink and rest at local taverns and the service of blacksmith shops, or “smithies,” as they were commonly called. Soon coal and the railroad made Frostburg a commercial center for mining.
By the early 1900s, it was also home to State Normal School #2 – today Frostburg State University. The university’s first building, Old Main, could be seen from one of the town’s earliest homes – a stately brick structure inspired by Greek revival Italianate architecture. Constructed in 1865 by Henry B. Shaffer, the prominent Frostburg businessman and citizen made a home there with his large family. Several of his ten children remained long after Henry’s passing in 1897.
Today this wonderful old home – well known as the “Shaffer House” – still stands at 156 East Main Street. Registered as a historic property, it is finding new life as the Allegheny Trail House, Frostburg’s first and only farm-to-table bed and breakfast.
The home is located in historic downtown Frostburg – within walking distance to the FSU campus, unique restaurants, shops and, yes, a “tavern” or two. Best of all, it is a short pedal from the Great Allegheny Passage, with the local trailhead situated just a half-mile or so from the B&B.
The home was purchased in 2016 with a desire to showcase Frostburg’s beauty and history. Owner, Jason manages the Cumberland Trail Connection, a bicycle shop located at Cumberland’s Canal Place, where the C&O Trail meets the Great Allegheny Passage. Jason is also a member of the Mountain Maryland Trails board and CTC race team.
Frostburg today offers what could be called “the perfect patchwork mix” of sorts – small-town charm coupled with the cultural benefits most often known only to residents of more urban communities. Once welcoming stagecoach travelers, it now invites bicyclists making their way along the Great Allegheny Passage.
In an interesting twist of fate, the Allegheny Trail House, reside just down the street from where Meshach and his bride once made their home in the small log structure built on Frostburg’s “Lot 1.” The B&B is happy to open its doors to each and every guest and welcomed them to stay and rest a while.
Offering Asian, Thai, and Chinese cuisine in a clean and friendly atmosphere.
Applebee’s focuses on casual dining with dishes such as salads, shrimp, chicken, pasta, and “riblets,” Applebee’s signature dish.
Rocky Gap Casino Resort is located adjacent Rocky Gap State Park near Cumberland, Maryland, in the heart of Allegany County. This location features miles of hiking trails and incredible mountain views.
Rocky Gap Casino Resort is a AAA 4-Diamond Award® and TripAdvisor Certificate of Excellence-winning resort featuring a casino, hotel, events and conference center, Bonkerz Comedy Club, three restaurants and a coffee shop, the only Jack Nicklaus Signature Golf Course in Maryland, a spa, indoor pool, fitness center, pro shop, complimentary valet parking, individual parking, and several outdoor recreational activities.
The casino features 665 slot machines, 17 table games, and two casino bars. The newly opened Lakeside Terrace at Rocky Gap Casino Resort offers a scenic and relaxing outdoor setting with a backdrop that includes Evitts Mountain and the 243-acre Lake Habeeb.
The golf course was included in GolfWeek magazine’s list of the best courses to play in Maryland and best casino courses, as well as featured in Golf Digest’s list of America’s 36 Best Buddies-Trip Destinations.
Rocky Gap Casino Resort is owned by Golden Entertainment, Inc. More information available on website.
Enjoy a comfortable stay at the Holiday Inn Express and Suites LaVale in LaVale, Maryland, conveniently located off I-68. Amenities include indoor pool and complimentary hot breakfast bar. Enjoy a comfortable stay at the Holiday Inn Express and Suites LaVale in LaVale, Maryland, conveniently located off I-68, nestled between the Western Maryland mountains. The Holiday Inn Express and Suites LaVale provides many amenities, like the heated indoor pool, whirlpool and fitness center. Take advantage of the complimentary hot breakfast bar, which can be taken to-go for your convenience. The hotel is pet-friendly (under 25 lbs.) for a fee of $10/night, maximum one pet per room. Make sure to visit many of the local eateries within minutes of the hotel. Start planning your trip today to visit the Holiday Inn Express and Suites LaVale hotel in Lavale, Maryland.
We’re half a mile from I-68, and it’s about a six-minute drive over to Frostburg State University. Head over to nearby Cumberland and catch a ride on the Western Maryland Scenic Railroad. Access to the Great Allegheny Passage, a bike trail connecting DC to Pittsburgh, is two miles away. Enjoy free hot breakfast, free WiFi, and our indoor pool.
The Hampton Inn Frostburg is a warm, inviting hotel that provides the perfect base for discovering everything this beautiful mountain town has to offer. An easy access to Cumberland, Maryland, take the vintage train through the beauty of the Western Maryland Scenic Railroad. The Hampton Inn Frostburg
is the closest hotel to Frostburg State University and is a close to option for riders on the Great Allegheny Passage Bike Trail and C&O Towpath, which connects Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and Washington, DC, through 344 miles of bike trail. Explore Frostburg’s streets filled with charming shops and intimate restaurants, spend a day on the slopes at nearby Wisp Resort, or relax with a round of golf at one of the nearby golf courses.
Feel at home at the comfy and convenient Hampton Inn hotel in Frostburg, Maryland. Start your day right with Hampton’s Free Hot Breakfast® and enjoy mountain views. Choose from a variety of delicious, hot and cold items, and make sure you try our famous waffles. In a hurry? Grab a healthy Hampton On the Run® Breakfast Bag, available Monday through Friday. Catch up with work in the free business center or rejuvenate in the fitness center. Take a dip in the indoor pool or recharge in a comfy guest room with a TV and free WiFi.
Hotel Facts:
72 guest rooms, including accessible rooms
Hotel near Cumberland, MD with business center and indoor pool
Microwave and refrigerator in all rooms
Located minutes from many things to do in Frostburg, MD
100% Hampton Guarantee
Included in Every Stay:
Hampton’s free hot breakfast®
Clean and fresh Hampton bed®
Free high-speed internet access in every room
Gym/fitness center use
