1949 Map of Cresaptown

About this map

The North Branch Potomac River serves as the winding centerpiece of this mid-century landscape, carving a deep valley through the ridges of Knobly Mountain and Dans Mtn. This area near the Maryland and West Virginia border reflects a complex transportation and industrial corridor. The Baltimore and Ohio and Western Maryland railroads trace the riverbanks, serving settlements like Cresaptown, Amcelle, and Bowling Green. Of particular interest to local historians is the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal alignment on the northern bend, adjacent to the Cumberland Municipal Airport and the Cumberland Fair Grounds. Further south, the rural character of West Virginia is defined by family-named landmarks such as Brant Cem and Old Furnace Ch near the banks of Patterson Creek. The presence of the Appalachian Orchard on the slopes of Horseshoe Mountain illustrates the agricultural heritage of the Potomac Highlands.