A New Monument in Cumberland and those Historic Mile Markers

In recognition of the 200th anniversary of the National Road, the City of Cumberland is working to construct a small National Road monument at George Washington’s headquarters along Greene Street downtown. The monument is planned to be a replica of a mile marker (see a rendering here), and the Times-News reports that the monument may be finished by July 4. Update: the monument will be dedicated at the city’s Heritage Days Festival on June 10 at 3 p.m.

Originally, “America’s Main Street”  ran along the modern MD-49 over Haystack Mountain, but was later re-routed through the Narrows north of the city. So, the location of the monument is supposed to mark the start-point of the original routing of the National Road.

The Cumberland city council is currently in the process of awarding the contract for the monument after opening bids on Jan. 25. To help finance the estimated $86,000 project, the city is selling small, 8-inch replica wooden mile markers that were made for the 2011 National Road bicentennial, and engraved bricks that will be placed at the walkway to the monument. The mile markers are $20 and the bricks are $50. The deadline for brick purchases is Feb. 15, and can be made using this form or by contacting City Planner David Umling atdumling@allconet.org. See Times-News links here and here for more information.

A stone mile marker in Grantsville, Md.

Speaking of mile markers, these structures were unique to the National Road versus other early famous highways in the United States is the establishment of mile markers along the northern side of the road. Each marker gives the distance to Cumberland, Md., as well as closer cities and towns. The shape and size of each marker varies along the road, as the design changes based on where the markers were made. For examples, mile markers from Brownsville, Pa., to Cumberland were made in Connellsville, Pa., and are all similar, as are markers from Brownsville to Wheeling, W.Va., which  were produced in Brownsville.

These mile markers were made of stone or cast iron, and while some originals do exist, most that currently stand are full or partial replicas. Some portions of the National Road have had better luck preserving the markers than other areas, such as a series of six markers in eastern Ohio County, W.Va., which are on the National Register of Historic Places (see the original application here). Nevertheless, each is still a historic and unique feature for this highway. I don’t know of a database which has a listing of all currently-existing mile markers, but such a site would be great for researchers.

A stone marker in rural Garrett County, Md.

Mile 11 – Princess Restaurant, Frostburg, Md.

The Princess Restaurant in Frostburg, Md.

Tucked neatly into the row of shops, bars and restaurants that line Main Street in Frostburg is the Princess Restaurant, one of the city’s oldest continually-operating dining establishments. In 1939, George Pappas, Sr., opened the Princess as a confectionery and luncheonette, and by the 1940s, the business evolved into the restaurant that it is today. The restaurant has been in continuous ownership of three generations of the Pappas family. Keep in mind that this restaurant has existed before, during and after the construction of the interstates, and until I-68 was built late in the 20th Century, the Princess Restaurant was on the main highway.

The plaque at "Truman's Booth."

The inside of the restaurant arguably looks and feels like a diner from the 1950s or 60s. Small booths line one wall of the main room, while a bar-type set-up occupies the other side. A more modern dining room also exists next to the older one. At each booth, a old-style jukebox is at the end of each table. Although most have “out of order” signs, it appears that some may still work. And, an additional novelty of the Princess is a booth in which former President Harry Truman and his wife, Bess, dined on Fathers Day 1953.

As for the food, the Princess is exceptional, quite possibly due to over 70 years of refinement. The restaurant has breakfast, lunch and dinner items. The list of 40-plus different types of sandwiches alone out-preforms many chain restaurants. For dinner, patrons can choose from a wide selection, from steak to pasta dishes to seafood to chicken.

"Broiled Cod Loin with Crab Meat," Princess Restaurant.

I ordered the broiled cod with crab meat, plated with fries and corn. In case the name doesn’t make it evident, my dinner was just a cod filet surrounded by seasoned crab meat and covered in butter and garlic and then broiled. The entire dinner was cooked perfectly and thorough. I also liked the portion size at the Princess. In my opinion, a lot of the larger chain restaurants tend to serve huge portions (with a higher price tag!), but at the Princess, massive portions seem to not be the case, which I think is great. In no way was I left hungry or wanting to eat later, but I also didn’t have the “I ate too much that I can’t move” feeling.

Being from Allegany County, I almost feel ashamed saying that this was the first time I had ever been to the Princess. And after having visited, I think I’ve been missing out on great, more-than-reasonably-priced food! On a larger note, my visit also reminded me of the point of this blog – to find places like the Princess that remain independent and unique along U.S. 40. Like I said, this was the first time I had been to the Princess, but I also remember the dozens of times I have eaten at chain restaurants in Allegany County, all the while missing out on good, local food.

The interior of the Princess Restaurant.

The Princess Restaurant is located at 12 W. Main St., Frostburg. Hours: Monday through Saturday, 6 a.m. to 8 p.m.; closed Sunday. Phone: 301-689-1680; Fax: 301-689-9029. Take-out is available.