Allegany County

Allegany County occupies part of the extreme western portion of the State, bordered on the north by the Mason-Dixon Line and Pennsylvania, the east by Washington County, the south by the Potomac River and West Virginia, and the west by Garrett County. By the mid eighteenth century, the region had been settled by various Indian tribes and English Settlers, but it was not until 1789 that Allegany County was created by the Maryland legislature. Until 1872, the county also encompassed the area which is now known as Garrett County. The county name is derived from the Indian word oolikhanna, meaning "beautiful stream."

The rich natural resources of the region were quickly recognized. In 1755 George Washington wrote: "These mighty forests of soft and hard woods will furnish the ships of the world, and with the native stones build the residences of future generations. . . . Again, what is beneath the soil? There may be stored mineral wealth which will astonish the countries of the Old World, while the fuel of the the future may also be found therein . . . . " Washington's prophesy proved true and in time the county would boast huge coal fields, large supplies of iron ore, limestone, sandstone, and fire-brick clay of excellent quality.

The county's early development was also closely linked to transportation and commerce. The Chesapeake and Ohio Canal, the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad, and the National Road all contribute to the county's reputation as "the gateway to the west."