Saving the best for last! In 1872, Garrett County was the last Maryland county to be formed. It was named for John Work Garrett, who served as president of the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad. The county developed, thanks in large part, to the construction of the B&O Railroad in 1851-1852. The railroad opened up the area that would become Garrett County. The population grew quickly, and the towns of Oakland, Bloomington and Swanton sprang up during this time as commercial mining, and timber centers.

The railroads also were responsible for building large summer resorts in the beautiful mountain areas - like Mountain Lake Park. The rich and the famous of the day were often found in Garrett County during this time period recreating. President Grover Cleveland and his wife spent their honeymoon at the Deer Park Resort in 1886.



There are 20 National Register of Historic Places properties and districts, including Casselman Bridge, National Road a National Historic Landmark. Over 20 miles of this 132-mile road pass through the northern portion of present-day Garrett County.

With the advent of the National Road, many people passed through the northern parts of the county to points westward. The town of Grantsville came about due to the influx of traffic along this road. Some of the old stage coach inns can still be found in the Grantsville area.