Friendsville Maryland
“Come Visit, Come Stay!”
Town of Friendsville MD
The small town of Friendsville Maryland is in Garrett County. Friendsville is Garrett County’s oldest settlement established in 1763. It is a hub for Adventure, Nature and History. Friendsville, with a vibrant outdoor lifestyle centered around its riverside location and has a funky cafe, restored hotel, Irish pub, gallery, health food store, market, pharmacy, liquor store, healing oil boutique and more. Come for a day of water sports or a gentle walk along the river followed by a stroll through town or a family picnic in the park.
History of Friendsville MD
The site of Freindsville has long been a gathering place for people. Native Americans have been visiting this bend in the river for over 3,500 years. Tyler Bastian, then the Maryland State Archaeologist, was alerted that the proposed construction of the National Freeway (US Route 48) and the relocation of Maryland Route 42 threatened portions of the Friendsville Site. A major archaelogical dig was undertaken near where the Baptist Church is on Water Street and test pits dug. The dig revealed not only the presence 49,000 artifacts from the most recent Shawnee Village but also deeper down revealed the presence of earlier pre columbian cultures such as the Adena Mound Builders (800BC) and Hopewell culture. Many of these artifacts are in the form of arrowhead, ceramic shards and stone tools and the remains of post holes used in shelter construction.The area was well know by the Shawnee as ‘The Hunters Bowl’. It’s bottom land perfect for the cultivation of Beans, Corn, and Squash. The unique geography funneled game through the valley and the river was filled with fish including salmon.
Friendsville was initially founded in 1765 when John Friend Sr. (1728 to Aft. 1808) traveled from (what is now) the area of Paw Paw.