This tour will guide you through the area of Oakland where it was in its infancy.

2A     Geissman Hotel (319 S 3rd St.)

George Geissman operated a hotel here before 1900.  It was a resort and often used by groups for meetings and workshops.  It looked very different then.  Imagine being a guest here as trains would go by blowing their horns for the Second Street crossing and spewing out all that smoke!  Many changes to the siding and roof have been made since then. It now serves as an apartment building.

2B     Salt Box House (205 E Water St.)

This is the last of these unusual homes in Oakland. There used to be several of these on this street.  The name for the design, “saltbox”, comes from the shape of wooden boxes used to store salt.  It is a type of frame house which is distinguished by having two stories in the front, one story in the back, usually with a huge chimney in the middle. The sloping roof encourages snow to melt more quickly in the sun while deflecting the strong winds common in this region.  This is still a private home

2C     Townshend House (100 S 1^st St.)

Despite the updated siding, the bones of this building are still those of the oldest building in Oakland. In 1849 Oakland was laid out in a grid of 64 lots. This lot was designated as number 1.  An 18” gray stone monument designates this as the starting corner of this nascent town. The 175-year-old stone is at the corner of Water and First Streets, in front of a large tree. This is still a private home.

 2D     Shirer’s Tin Shop

Until recently, this was the oldest continuously operating business in the county.  In about 1873, Peter Shirer began smithing operations here.  He became known for using the latest materials and technology and careful professional work that carried it through each of the next four generations of Shirers.  This building is no longer in use, but it stands as a testimony to the early development and hard work that made Oakland unique.

2E     Orange Crush Bottling Company (104 E Oak St.)

This building of several shops was once an Orange Crush Bottling facility.  It began operation in 1939 as a modern facility that included a bottling room, a storage room and a syrup room!  The processing equipment such as pumps and valves are still located outside the building along First Street.  Mr. A. V. Schaeffer also sold soda drinks under the label “Shaef Garrett Soda.” A few of those soda bottles can be seen at the Garrett County Historical Society’s Museum.   Despite the Orange Crush plant having begun production earlier than the Coca Cola Plant that had been on 3^rd St., it ceased operations much earlier, bringing an end to the “Great Soda Wars!”

On this tour you will see the heart of what is considered Oakland’s “downtown.”

 3A     Fireside Restaurant (119 S 2^nd St.)

 The first saloon here burned in the fire of 1898.  Another saloon was soon rebuilt promising “private drinking parlors upstairs for those wishing privacy and those wishing pure whiskey for medicinal purposes.”  In 1939 one of the businesses located here was a restaurant called “The Fireside.”  It was built with a fireplace that was said to have been the largest in Maryland.   Until the fire of 1994, other restaurants operated here.  At that time, the fire weakened the timbers on the back of the building necessitating that it be razed.  However, the stone fireplace lived on until 2003 when, for safety reasons, the chimney was shortened.  However, the Sipside Tavern (sipsided.net) still features the now outdoor fireplace in the warmer months.

3B     Offutt’s Big Store (115 S 2^nd St.)

It is indeed a big store. It is the tallest commercial building still existing in Oakland.  The original store had entrances on Railroad Street and Second Street, but it was burned in the fire of 1898.  (During that fire, Mr. Offutt, then the store owner moved his salvaged merchandise, across the street to the Sincell Building and was opened for business the next day.) When the current building was built, all precautions to avoid damage from another fire were taken.  This saved the Garrett National Bank building in a 1994 fire.  In 1939, Mr. I. R. Rudy purchased the building and opened “Rudy’s.” Three generations have operated this store, the third generation, Mr. I. Robert Rudy, continues the tradition.

 3C     Garrett National Bank/GCHS (107 S 2^nd St.)

This building has the longest history of any other in this commercial area of Oakland.  Built in 1884, it has been modified and enlarged several times. In the 1970’s, bank operations moved diagonally across the intersection, and the space in this building was converted to offices. In 2007 the building became the home of the Garrett County Historical Society.  They maintain an outstanding museum that wonderfully presents the history of Garrett County. The museum is open to the public. Best to check for special opportunities and hours of operation at info@garrettcountymuseums.com.

3D     The Sincell Building (108 S 2^nd St.)

 As a young man, Mr. Harry Sincell grew up assisting in operations at the second Glades Hotel.  In 1891, having grown up in an atmosphere of well-dressed people, he started his own business.  Three years later he built this building for his clothing store on the first floor.  He was joined by his brother, Benjamin who took over the second floor as editor, publisher, and printer of The Republican newspaper. Eventually, the third brother, Edward, hung his shield in an office in the back of the store.  (Harry’s store was where Offutt brought his merchandise.)  Until 2010, a pharmacy continued using the first floor and the newspaper operations continued until 2017.  The ground floor is now occupied by the Garrett Arts Council and Gallery (garrettarts.org).  Visitors are free to come in and browse the locally produced fine arts, most of which are available for purchase.

 3E     2^nd First United Bank Building (204 E Alder St.)

 In 1903, First National Bank moved their operations from across Alder Street.  As anticipated, this building became one of the most important locations for businesses and commercial interests.  Even the Post Office operated here between 1910 and 1923.  By 1963, the business grew, so a new building was built two blocks further up Second Street, across from the Post Office. This building here continues to be occupied by a variety of local stores and businesses.  Browse around, you may find just “the right thing!”  

3F     1^st First United Bank Building (215 E Alder St.)

 By 1900, the Garrett National Bank on Second Street had been in business for 16 years.  Over the years, growth in the regional financial interests made it plain that there was a need for a second bank.  Influential local leaders of the County’s economy established the First United Bank of Oakland. This building served as the bank’s temporary location while the new building was built.  The building before you is the same one that was here 125 years ago. The building now houses the Vagabond taproom (vagabondtap.com) and the Shoefly Java coffee house (shooflyjava.com).

3G     RR Street (S 2^nd St & CSX Tracks)

Continue walking down the street to the Second Street crossing of the CSX tracks. Look to the right, up the tracks (away from the tunnel.  Not too far away is the Fireside Restaurant, Rudy’s and the GCHS museum.  At one time before a track realignment, there was a boardwalk between the tracks and the buildings. This was called Railroad Street.  Many of the shops and restaurants on this boardwalk also had entrances on Second Street.  Before there were dining cars on trains, at tis stop, passengers had to dash along the boardwalk to one of the dining spots to get a 20-minute meal before hurrying back to the train.  With 12 trains a day stopping here, it must have been a very busy place.

Looking in the same direction but much closer to you, in the small triangle of land between the tracks and Second Street, is a 4’ white obelisk mile post.  Such mileposts are still as important today as they were 150 years ago.  The post gives absolute information for the distance to Baltimore with a “B” (232 miles) on the west side of the mile marker, and for those heading west towards Wheeling, the post shows a “W” on the east side (147 miles.) 

Before there were such things as lights, bells and crossing gates, there were flagmen stationed at crossings with flags and lanterns to warn pedestrians, wagons, and automobiles of an approaching train.   At this Second Street crossing there was such a crossing guard. In 1903 one of them was Larry Stanton.  In the photo, notice a small shed next to the tracks. This provided shelter from the weather for Larry. 

This tour will show some of the sites that enabled the travel that fed Oakland’s growth.

 4A     B&O Station (117 E Liberty St.)

Since 1850 there had been stations in Oakland.  But not until 1884 was the construction of this beautiful structure completed.  Influential families from New York to Cincinnati arrived at this station to be conveyed by a waiting carriage to one of the well-appointed hotels in the area. Once 12 trains a day stopped here.  Also, this was where many of the goods for the towns shops and area farms were delivered.  Due to changes in transportation needs and methods, passenger service at this station eventually ceased in April of 1971.  In addition to this fine station are two cars and a 1920 locomotive with its tender.  In 1974 it was put on the National Historic Register.  This is a unique museum is open to all visitors.  Best to check for hours of operation (oaklandbandmuseum.)

 4B     St. Matthews Episcopal Church (116 E Liberty St.)

 This church was built in 1869 by John W. Garrett in honor of his brother, Henry S. Garrett, whose vision was to build a church that would celebrate the beauty of Oakland.  Initially, it was referred to as the Stone Church. It was also known as “the church of the presidents” in recognition of Presidents Grant, Harrison, and Cleveland who had worshiped here. Since then, several denominations have worshipped here and presently, it serves St. Matthew’s Episcopal Church.  The building is on the Maryland List of Historic Places. 

 4C     Transportation Museum (108 E Liberty St.)

 At the northeast corner of First and Liberty Streets is the Naylor Building.  Around 1911, it This location, across from the Railroad station, has aways been devoted to transportation. Shops located here were livery stables, auto repair and auto dealers and now this museum, built in 2011.  It has a treasure of various forms of transportation, many of which were used in this area.  You can walk among vintage modes of transportation such as a carriage that conveyed visitors to the famous hotels, vintage automobiles, a jeep used in WWII and a high wheeler, and an early Oakland fire engine (info@garrettcountymuseums.com).  Be sure to check hours of operation.     

The Second floor of this museum is devoted to Deep Creek Lake.  Time spent in this gallery is sure to make visitors to the lake say things like “Hey, I didn’t know they had that!”  Behind the building is a small, but peaceful park with benches to reward a weary visitor.  While seated, appreciate the wall of murals that are like a collection of post-cards commemorating life in different areas of this county.  Leaving the museum through the front doors look to your right to see the large photograph on the exterior wall.  It depicts Liberty Street in the 1940s.  Now turn around to see that same setting as it is today. See any differences?      

 4D     Naylor Building (Master Craft) (116 E Liberty St.)      

 At the northeast corner of First and Liberty Streets is the Naylor Building.  Around 1911, it contained a dealer for Maxwell autos. The next year, a very high wind blew the roof off the third floor. It was never replaced, leaving it as a two-story building.  Then in February 1926, again, fate struck the building when a fire caused considerable damage.  Occupants on the second floor were rescued from the building, still dressed only in their nightclothes. The outside temperature was 9 degrees!  There’s still more! In February 2008, for no apparent reason, the front wall of the second floor collapsed – over a period of four hours while onlookers watched.  Today, the second floor has been rebuilt and Master Craft printers are located here.

This tour guides you around those sites that met the need of the community’s residents.

 5A     Oakland Center Street School (104 E Center St.)

 This fine-looking building was built in 1895.  At that time the fall school term lasted only six weeks.  By 1901, 300 students were enrolled here and by 1910, the school had become so overcrowded that high school students were moved to another facility. In 1922, fire damaged the second floor and bell tower, requiring all classes to be held at other buildings around town until repairs could be made. Unfortunately, the bell tower was never fully repaired.  Currently, the building has been repurposed as a Senior Center, apartments, and other uses.

5B     Parish House (121 E Center St.)

 In 1935, this building was the parish hall for the Episcopal Church that was using the Old Stone Church. When they vacated it, it briefly housed the local unit of the Maryland National Guard.  Following that, funds were raised by many local organizations and in 1961, the first Garrett County Historical Society Museum was opened.  By 1997 they needed a larger space so they moved to their present location.  After that, the Our Town Theater group purchased the building, and it continues to entertain residents and visitors alike (ourtowntheater.org).  

 5C    Ruth Enlow Library (6 N 2^nd St.)

 In 1915 the first truly public library began limited operation in local buildings.  Finally, in 1946 an accredited librarian assumed responsibility for the library.  At that time the library’s collection of books numbered only 2,534.  Finally, donations made it possible to purchase this property. Additional funding for construction of the library was donated by a Mr. Enlow.  And, in 1950, the dream of a county library was realized.  The library system now includes four other branches throughout the county with thousands of books and all of the modern equipment available in much larger library systems (facebook.com/RuthEnlowLibrary).

5D     Loar Mansion (21 N 2^nd St.)

This Colonial Revival yellow brick building was built in 1900 by the Loar family. They had been associated with life in Western Maryland since 1780, and by 1869, an early ancestor had built a general store here. The last Loar, a wealthy merchant, built his home here.  Unfortunately, in 1946, Mr. Loar became an invalid.  Because of this, he recognized the need for a county hospital and made a generous donation for the construction of the one.  There are no longer any descendants of this kind and generous family. This building now serves as a funeral home.

5E     Post Office (22 S 2^nd St.)

 The earliest post office, starting in about 1812, was in the nearby settlement called Yough Glades.  Since 1854, Oakland has had many post offices.  As part of a program to return Americans to work during the Great Depression, $80,000 was set aside for the construction of this Post Office.  Features of this building includes tall windows with distinctive grill work, and a polygonal cupola that designated this as an important Federal building.  Often overlooked is a large bas relief figure of an eagle above the door as shown in the Architect’s drawing.  When opened in 1939, the first postmaster was I. R. Rudy.

 Inside, this building remains much as it was when it was built including a mural entitled “Buckwheat Harvest.”  In 1933, again to aid in the recovery from the depression, the Federal Government selected artists to produce murals in Federal buildings.  This Post Office was selected to be one of the only 1037 Post Offices that was chosen for one.  The noted artist Robert Gates was chosen to paint the mural that is displayed high on the wall as you enter the lobby. It is entitled “Buckwheat Harvest” in recognition of the grain that was vital in Appalachia during the Depression.