Allegany County Maryland
“Best Flowing River of the Hills”
Allegany County is located in the northwestern region of Maryland. Its county seat is the city Cumberland. Allegany County is sometimes referred to “Where the South Begins”. The name Allegany is derived from a local Lenape word, welhik hane or oolikhanna, which means ‘best flowing river of the hills’ or ‘beautiful stream’. Allegany County has a successful arts community, is rich in historical stories and places, and boasts a variety of outdoor recreation activities.
Western Maryland was originally part of Prince George’s county when Maryland was formed in 1696. New counties were formed over time such as Frederick county in 1748, Montgomery and Washington county in 1776, and Garrett county in 1872.
Allegany County City/Town Map
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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!