What does the small town of Cumberland, Maryland, the French and Indian War, George Washington, and transportation history all have in common? Well... Sit back, relax, and lets find out....

The City of Cumberland is the largest city in Western Maryland (west of Frederick). Population = 20,859

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In 1754 King George II of England along with General Edward Braddock constructed plans for a new fort to be built where the Potomac River and Wills Creek divide,  Wills Creeks was a seen as a gateway west into the new frontier and the Potomac river was the modern day freeway. The new fort was called - “Mt. Pleasant.” Above is a modern (2011) picture where these two bodies of water meet.

This fort marked the westernmost outpost of the British Empire in America. On July 9th, 1755 George Edward Braddock - the Commander of this new fort was killed in a battle against the French and Indians. General Braddock's second in command took his place.

Lt. Colonel George Washington was placed in command of Fort Cumberland, after Braddock's death. The French moved into a new area near the great lakes, at a place we call today - Pittsburgh, PA. But it was then called - Fort Duquesne. Pictured below (left) is Washington and (right) Fort Cumberland (in 1755).

In May of 1755, one of the British officers with General Braddock wrote: describing this newly-christened Fort Cumberland, "...situated within 200 yards of Will's Creek, on a hill and about 400 from the Potomack; its length from east to west is about 200 yards, and breadth 46 yards, and is built by logs driven into the ground, and about 12 feet above it." Eleven days later, he reported that 100 carpenters were at work building a magazine and constructing a bridge over Will's Creek.

Today only part of Fort Cumberland still exists. But it doesn't look like the military outpost that it did during Washington's time. Pictured below is a modern (2011) picture of Fort Cumberland.

That’s right... It’s a church! Why is it a church? Well during the 18th century many forts also contained churches because it was highly disgraceful to engage in military conflict within a church. Therefore, if the fort became overtaken by the enemy, the church could become a safe haven. However, under this church / fort, still to this day, remain secret tunnels leading throughout the town of Cumberland. Pictured below is picture of one of these secret tunnels.

Washington also established his first military headquarters in Cumberland. Below is a picture of his headquarters.

George Washington even after becoming President returned to Fort Cumberland, often to review the troops. Below is a picture of Washington reviewing the troops at Fort Cumberland (1794).

Cumberland was the perfect location for the development of three major historical transportation developments - its location was perfect! Cumberland thrived on its links to transportation... First let’s discuss the National Road. Each time Washington, Braddock, and / or the military pushed westward they had to clear a path (there were no roads – only Indians trials). These new paths helped to open up development and travel between the east and west. In 1806, Congress authorized construction of what it foresaw as a sort of "portage road" between the Potomac River and the Ohio River at Wheeling Virginia (now West Virginia). Below is a picture of the original (1829) National Road (left) beside a picture of the modern day road (right).

The second and third major transportation developments were established on the same day. On July 4, 1828 ground was broken for both the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad (B&O) and the Chesapeake and Ohio (C&O) Canal. Two important historical figures were involved in the ceremonies. Charles Carroll of Carrollton, the last surviving signer of the Declaration of Independence, helped turn the first shovelful of dirt for the pioneer B&O Railroad in Baltimore. Almost simultaneously in Georgetown, John Quincy Adams, sixth President of the United States, officiated at the groundbreaking for the C&O Canal. Along the proposed path of the canal, thousands of laborers toiled with pick axes, shovels, mule scoops, wheel barrows, and black powder. An engineering marvel was carved out of the Potomac River's north bank. It didn't take long for the railroad and the canal to begin competing for transportation dominance. Below (right) is a picture of the Canal and (left) is the B&O Railroad.

By the early 1920s, railroads made the slow-moving canal boats obsolete. The canal closed in 1924 after a flood destroyed much of its banks and locks. As new transportation patterns emerged, the economic dependence of the city on the railroad industry also decreased. Today, the 184 miles of C&O Canal and Towpath remain today as a National Park, one of the most popular in the East.