Living in Cumberland MD: Your EZ Search Guide

Blend History, Community, and Scenery in Eastern Appalachia

Roots run deep in the hills surrounding Cumberland, Maryland, a scenic, artistic town in the panhandle. Like many Appalachian towns, its community is a testament to American tenacity and small-town living. The natural beauty will strike you first as you wind through Western Maryland mountain passes into town. Second will be a community whose wealth lies in its low-cost quality of life, outdoor access, and classic American values. Get to know what makes living in Cumberland, MD, so special.

A Journey Through Time and Nature

Founded during the colonial era, Fort Cumberland was a stronghold for the British and an outpost for Colonel George Washington during the French and Indian War. As the United States grew, Cumberland became a pivotal stop in its westward expansion. It earned the nickname “Gateway to the West” because the travelers could travel the waterways, Ohio Canal, and trains to their terminus here before crossing the mountains.

Cumberland blossomed as a transportation nexus, growing into the second-largest city in Maryland. The convergence of Wills Creek and the North Branch of the Potomac River made it easy to route a wealth of Appalachian resources here. The coal, iron, and ore from the Appalachian hills passed through to the coast along the C&O Canal and the B&O railroads, which had their terminus in Cumberland. It brought wealth into the town. Hints are still present in the brick-paved downtown, 19th-century historic buildings, and the elaborately detailed mansions. Later, the inception of the National Road (U.S. Route 40), America’s first highway, brought the era of railroads and canals to an end. 

In the 20th century, manufacturing rose to prominence as coal veins dwindled. Cumberland’s factories produced tires, textiles, paper, and glass. Big brewing companies came and went, as did the manufacturing era. The last prominent manufacturer closed in 2020. 

But Cumberland isn’t giving up. Its resilient residents now lean on the town’s assets: a key location at the Potomac and Wills Rivers, a charming historic district, the wild Appalachian hills, and access to nature preserves.  

Finding Cumberland, MD

Maryland’s odd-shaped borders make it an unusual state. Flat coastal plains and thousands of miles of shoreline give way to forested mountains cut with deep gorges. Cumberland lies in the forested hill country midway on the panhandle in Allegany County, part of the state’s narrowest slice. The town faces West Virginia across the Potomac River’s North Branch, while the Pennsylvania border is eight miles north.  

The importance of the Wills Creek and Potomac River in shaping the town cannot be understated. Indigenous peoples used their waterways to move around the hills long before Cumberland was founded. The waters shaped the Cumberland Narrows and the winding valleys. The scenic small town’s quaint buildings rise into the hills of the water-shaped landscape. These valleys and hills shape the city limits.

While it is an Appalachian town, Cumberland is not isolated. Interstate 68 runs east-west, connecting locals to Frostburg, Hagerstown, and Morgantown. US Route 220 remains a key road running north-south into Pennsylvania and West Virginia. Washington, DC, is 130 miles away, as is Baltimore.

Attractions in Cumberland, Maryland

• George Washington’s Headquarters: This is a historic log cabin in Riverside Park, where the first president resided as a Colonel during the French and Indian Wars. It’s the only surviving building from the original Fort Cumberland. It now is part of Canal Place Museum, a heritage park with links to the area’s history and an entertainment space.
• Gordon-Roberts House: Step back over a century in a majestic Victorian home preserved in all its grandeur, down to period art and toys.
• Western Maryland Station Center: This 100-year-old architectural standout combines trains, art, and history. Take a ride on the scenic train any time of year with themed rides or scenic tours.
• The C&O Canal: Once the key to Cumberland’s economy, the canal has been adapted as an adventure trail straight to the capital. It’s an attraction popular for hiking or biking. The Cumberland Visitor Center at mile 184.5 includes interactive displays about the canal’s history.
• Cumberland Theatre Company: A stage for rising stars, the area’s only professional regional theater exemplifies Cumberland’s cultural spirit.

Outdoor Recreation Galore

Over half a million people come to the City of Cumberland each year, and many of them are drawn to the hiking, biking, river rafting, and skiing available in the Appalachians and Allegany County. 

In town, Cumberland hasn’t overlooked its greenway treasures. At Constitution Park, the city holds its annual summertime Concerts in the Park, holiday special events, and summer day camps for local youth. The park has sports courts, a fitness trail, a dog park, and an outdoor swimming pool. Besides Constitution Park, Cumberland has recreational sports fields at Al Abrams, Bowers, Cavanaugh, Jaycee, and Gene Mason Sports Complex. 

Bordering the town towers the undeveloped Wills Mountain State Park, a vertical outcropping that makes a statement. It is beautiful to gaze at as the state figures out how to provide public access. 

The C&O Canal was the nation’s 10th most-visited national park. Over 48 miles span through the historic and scenic Allegany County, complete with canal tunnels and Potomac River access. Cumberland acts as a trail town, where trail cyclists and travelers can stop in the historic district to recharge and refuel.

Beautiful Rocky Gap State Park awaits five miles northeast of Cumberland. On the 3,000 acres, visitors have Lake Habeeb for boating and swimming, hiking and biking around Evitts Mountain and its sheer cliff gorge, and the Rocky Gap Casino Resort. Deep in the southeast hills is Warrior Mountain State Wildlife Area, an even more wilderness area with old homesteads and abundant wildlife. 

Allegany County has even more to do outside. Play golf courses designed by Jack Nicklaus, or find a quiet stream to fly fish trout. Dans Mountain State Park has newer mountain bike trails, while Green Ridge State Forest has two-footed and four-foot trails. The Potomac River Scenic Overlook Trail at Sideling Hill Creek State Park is a popular out-and-back option. In the fall, leaf peepers recommend the Great Allegheny Passage along Wills Creek, which is also a popular spot for winter cross-country skiing.

Things to Do in Cumberland

Walk through the City of Cumberland, Maryland, and the stories behind the brick buildings and gothic features will impress you. Much of the downtown has become the Cumberland Pedestrian Mall, a highly walkable area off Baltimore Street and a short distance from Wills Creek and the C&O Canal. Inside the Victorian buildings await small-town cafes and eclectic shops. This is where locals come to discover antiques or buy a gourmet treat. The town hosts its summer art festivals and street fairs along the mall. Local restaurants and bars set up patio seating to take in the live music and people-watching. The wide walkways have been designed with cyclists and pedestrians in mind.

The Allegany Museum documents the region’s unique heritage. Exhibits share its importance in the growth of America, the canal system, and the glass industry. It’s a meticulous restored Victorian-era building.

The Embassy Theater opened its doors at a tough time in the United States. The now century-old building still hosts performance acts, from musicals to children’s events.

Thousands come into town for September’s Heritage Days Festival. Renactors dress in pre-Revolution and Revolution-era costumes as they pay homage to George Washington surveying of the frontier and command outpost. The revelry pairs with an arts and crafts village, fair food vendors, and children’s activities.

Cumberland School System

Allegany County Public Schools oversees public K-12 education in Cumberland. It’s a large area but a small school system with 14 elementary schools, four middle schools, three public high schools, and one technical school. These schools use a geographical feeder system, so students from a set of elementary schools will roll into the same middle and high schools. For Cumberland, this is Fort Hill High School, Washington Middle, Northeast, South Penn, and John Humbird Elementary.

The district has some creative programs not found elsewhere. For instance, an Outdoor School at Rocky Gap State Park provides 7th-grade students an active month of environmental science education. Three schools run Active Learning Labs, a collaborative style of STEM learning. Other innovative offerings include a Chinese immersion program, career clusters, and an early college pathway.

For further career training, Cumberland’s Allegany College of Maryland is a two-year college with 31 degree programs, 30 certificate programs, and ten letter of recognition programs. Frostburg State University, a small but public four-year university, is an option a few miles down I-68 with biology, computer science, business, and arts programs.

Cumberland Economy

This one-thriving city isn’t afraid to admit it’s seen tough times with the loss of manufacturing and transportation jobs. Residents recall when companies like Kelly Tire were the linchpin of local prosperity. 

But Cumberland has tapped into the Appalachian culture of resilience and ability to pivot. Without heavy industry, the city is working actively to revitalize its downtown. The growing arts and entertainment district is part of its plan to tap into outdoor recreation tourism. It incentivizes businesses to Cumberland through the largest Enterprise Zone in Maryland. The county has six industrial parks, with Riverside and Commerce Center based in town. 

The available jobs in Cumberland, MD, and its today’s top employers reflect a push towards diversification. Based on the number person employed in Allegany County, the three major employers are Western Maryland Health System, Frostburg State University, and Hunter Douglas Northeast, a manufacturer of window blinds. Other companies breaking into the top ten– manufacturer Verso, CSX Railroad, or ACS Telecommunications–are in or near Cumberland.

The Federal Correctional Institutions (FCI) is another major employer around Cumberland. The area has three major prisons at different security levels. These are the largest incarceration facilities in the state. When combined with all its contractors, FCI is the third-largest employer.

Calling Cumberland Home

The cost of housing in the greater Cumberland region has an affordability hard to find in Maryland’s metropolitan areas. The historical mansions on Washington Street are as prized for their character and charm as they are for their price tag. The hills have incredible mountain views that are perfect for those seeking a quiet escape into the hills or unique properties like log cabin living.

Allegany County’s real estate market had a median price of $139,100 in January 2024. Waiting for new listings is the hardest part, as the active inventory of homes for sale was only 163. You can see current homes for sale in Cumberland to gauge the real estate market.

Coupled with a low cost of living–27% below the national average and 35% under Maryland–you can stretch your budget further when living in Cumberland.

Living in Cumberland, MD

Cumberland’s adaptability shines as it leans into its identity as a prime place to enjoy the beautiful, great outdoors. Downtown revitalization efforts signal an opportunity for more development. The rustic ambiance and unyielding character help Cumberland assert itself as more than a historic landmark. It’s a place to call home with a beautiful backdrop.