Frostburg Maryland MD Warrant Search

Frostburg, Maryland Frostburg is a city in Allegany County, Maryland, United States located at the head of the Georges Creek Valley. It is part of the Cumberland, MD-WV Metropolitan Statistical Area. The population was 7,873 at the 2000 census. Located eight miles (13 km) west of Cumberland, the town is one of the first cities on the 'National Road', US 40, and the western terminus of the Western Maryland Scenic Railroad. Since 1991, the city has been served by Interstate 68.The City of Frostburg has an approximate year-round population of 8,075. In addition, 5,400 students attend Frostburg State University, a public university within the University System of Maryland.There have been several annexations in the City of Frostburg during 2009, and it is the only area of Allegany County which has shown growth within the last five years[citation needed].Frostburg was originally called Mount Pleasant until 1820, when the government developed a postal service, and the town was renamed Frostburg. Geography Frostburg is located at 39°39′17″N 78°55′40″W / 39.654687°N 78.927773°W / 39.654687; -78.927773 (39.654687, -78.927773).According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 3.1 square miles (7.9 km2), all of it land.Frostburg is located in the Allegheny Mountains on the eastern slope of Big Savage Mountain. The closest cities to Frostburg are Cumberland, Maryland, 8 miles (13 km) to the east, and Morgantown, West Virginia, 62 miles (100 km) to the west. 19th century Frostburg had its beginnings back in 1811 when surveying began for the National Pike, a road used to transport crops and raw materials to East Coast markets. President Thomas Jefferson had authorized construction of the road in 1806. Meshach Frost built the first house in present-day Frostburg in 1812 and named it Highland Hall. This building was a popular stopping point for celebrities and dignitaries who traveled the National Pike. This would be followed by the Franklin Hotel and other hotels.The Baltimore and Ohio Railroad (B&O) and the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal reached Cumberland in 1842 and 1850, respectively. Consequently, travel on the National Pike saw a steady decline, although travel through Frostburg did not. Coal mining was the first major economic draw, but the industry faced problems in its early manifestation. The mountains of western Maryland and Frostburg proved to make transportation of coal very difficult. Not until the completion of the railroads did the coal industry in Frostburg began to flourish. The first major coal producer was Meshach Frost, who owned a significant amount of land for mining and founded the Frostburg Coal Company. This eventually was sold to the much larger Consolidated Coal Company.Structures from the coal industry's dominant period still remain. One of the major freight depots for coal is located at 19 Depot St. in Frostburg and is one the few remaining depots in western Maryland. The Mount Savage Railroad was the first to built a rail line to Frostburg in 1852, and it connected to the B&O Railroad in Cumberland, as well as the C&O Canal. The Cumberland and Pennsylvania Railroad (C&P) took over the Mount Savage line in 1854, and expanded with the construction of a tunnel under Frostburg, and a rail line southward to Piedmont, West Virginia. This railroad and tunnel were used to transport coal between Frostburg and George's Creek. Another major economic turn for Frostburg was the manufacture of fire brick beginning in 1864, utilizing the high-grade fire clays which are found in the area. One of the main businesses that formed was the Big Savage Fire Brick Company, still one of the main suppliers of fire bricks on the East Coast. President Truman's Visit After his presidency, Harry Truman was of surprisingly meager economic status. He did, however, receive a Chrysler automobile as a gift, and decided that he and his wife would use it to its maximum potential. On Father's Day in 1953, his travels took him to Frostburg, and the town rolled out the red carpet. In an attempt not to come across as being too good for people, the Trumans were very kind, signed autographs, and talked with people who recognized them. Harry Truman event went so far as to visit a bedridden elderly woman who had broken her hip. The Trumans also visited the Princess Restaurant. This is the only family-owned business from the time period that still exists, and it attracts customers with its Truman photographs and the Truman booth, where the Trumans dined. History of Frostburg State University In 1898 the Maryland General Assembly authorized State Normal School #2 and a $20,000 appropriation to construct a building, though no money to buy land. The money for the land was collected among local citizens, many of them coal miners and their families.Two years later Old Main, the first building in the school's history, opened. Two years after that, the first classes were held. The only available course of study at that point was a two-year elementary-education program. In 1904, the first class graduated.In 1934, State Normal School #2 introduced its first four-year program. Nearly 30 years later (1963), the school finally was renamed Frostburg State College. In the next ten years more programs sprouted, including the university’s first graduate program (Master's of Science in Management).In 1988 Frostburg State College joined the Maryland state university system and was renamed Frostburg State University. FSU celebrated its centennial in 1998 and is now 111 years old. Fires August 1996. An accidental fire destroyed three buildings on East Main Street while serving a devastating blow to seven businesses. February 1, 2004. A fire at 16-24 East Main Street, the Lyric Building, began when radiant heat from a coal-fired boiler ignited. Damaged were Gandalf’s Restaurant and Bar and a clothing store. A D.C. developer, Michael Joy, bought the Lyric in June 2007. Nearly $2 million from a private donor was invested in a restoration of the building. The space is now home to several Frostburg State University operations, including the Off-Campus Book Store, the Center for Creative Writing, and the FSU Foundation. May 21, 2005. A fire destroyed the Mary Carol Shop on 19 East Main Street. The fire was ruled arson. May 26, 2009. A fire destroyed Gianni’s Pizza Shop at 1 West Main Street and damaged Crestmont Gentlemen’s Apparel. The fire caused an estimated $300,000 in damages. Runaway Truck In 1981, a runaway lumber truck lost control when its brakes failed, causing it to jackknife and slam into Stoop’s Restaurant on Main Street, after running over a car, killing the driver of the car. The engine burst into flames that raged for three hours. Three people died and at least 15 others were injured. The driver survived. Tornado On June 2, 1998, an F4 tornado struck Frostburg, damaging 125 homes and Frost Elementary School. This tornado refutes the myth that tornadoes do not occur in rough terrain. Schools and Universities Beall Elementary School, Grades K-5 Frost Elementary School, Grades K-5 Mount Savage School, Grades K-8, inMount Savage, Maryland Mountain Ridge High School, Grades 9-12 St. Michael Early Childhood Center Frostburg State University General Climate Frostburg is located in the Allegheny Mountains and has an average elevation of 2,000 feet (610 m) above sea level. Because of the elevation and location near the Allegheny Front, about 2900+ feet, Frostburg has a colder, wetter climate than the rest of Allegany County. Average summer temperatures peak at only 79 °F (26 °C) in July. In December, January, and February, average monthly temperatures range from 32-37°F. Driving conditions on I-68 and US 40 can be very hazardous despite timely state and local road maintenance services. Frostburg averages over 100 inches (2.5 m) of snowfall a year, and significant amounts can fall as early as October and as late as May. Blizzards and Snowfall Frostburg’s greatest one-month snowfall was 67 inches in January 1978. Frostburg is second in Maryland for the greatest single-season snowfall with a total of 180 inches in winter 1995-96. Demographics As of the census of 2000, there were 7,873 people, 2,840 households, and 1,252 families residing in the city. The population density was 2,576.5 people per square mile (993.4/km2). There were 3,123 housing units at an average density of 1,022.0/sq mi (394.1/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 90.42% White, 6.40% African American, 0.23% Native American, 0.98% Asian, 0.09% Pacific Islander, 0.50% from other races, and 1.38% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.22% of the population.There were 2,840 households out of which 18.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 34.0% were married couples living together, 7.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 55.9% were non-families. 37.5% of all households were made up of individuals and 16.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.18 and the average family size was 2.85.In the city the population was spread out with 12.4% under the age of 18, 41.0% from 18 to 24, 17.2% from 25 to 44, 14.2% from 45 to 64, and 15.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 24 years. For every 100 females there were 81.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 79.2 males.The median income for a household in the city as of 2007 was $25,485, and the median income for a family was $53,234. Males had a median income of $35,417 versus $26,094 for females. The per capita income for the city was $16,437. About 6.1% of families and 28.6% of the population were below the poverty line in 2007, with 17.4% below 50% of the poverty level. The cost of living index as of 2008 was 84.3.The estimated house value in 2007 was $126,106. The median real estate property tax for housing units in 2000 was 1.1%. Business and Economy Frostburg is home to numerous small businesses in addition to chains of larger companies. The town is particularly known for its variety of restaurants, from pizza shops to family establishments.[citation needed] Other Major Companies Arion Bandis a community band based in Frostburg. Established in 1877, the band has now been performing for 129 years. The band gives five to ten performances in the Frostburg and Cumberland areas during the summer. During prohibition, the Arion band helped the speakeasy in the basement of the Hotel Gunter sneak in booze. While the band would play music on the balcony, liquor was snuck into the back. The General Art Store is located on Main Street and has a variety of art supplies and offers custom framing. Frostburg Museum and The Museum Gallery Located at the corner of Hill and Oak Streets, the building in which the museum is housed was built in 1899 and was formerly the Hill Street School. The museum was established in 1976 and, with more than 8,000 square feet (740 m2) of exhibit space, offers exhibits and artifacts from Frostburg and the surrounding area including the Arion Band, coal mining, genealogy, and the National Road. The Museum Gallery features a different artist's work every month. Mountain City Traditional Arts Located at 25 East Main St., Mountain City Traditional Arts is dedicated to the education, sales, and documentation of regional Appalachian art. There is a constant display of local art of various mediums, some of which is available for purchase. Frequently offered are live performances, literary readings, and music. They also offer classes such as knitting, card-making and holiday music. Frostburg Arts and Entertainment District In July 2009, a portion of downtown Frostburg that includes the Frostburg Museum and Frostburg State University was officially designated as the 18th Arts & Entertainment District of the state of Maryland, in recognition of the neighborhood's rich artistic history, its contemporary arts scene and its promise for the future. The district is administered by the Allegany Arts Council, which also administers the award-winning downtown Arts & Entertainment District in nearby Cumberland. Maryland is the first state to create art districts to help stimulate the economy. Frostburg Art Walks Twice a year, Frostburg sponsors art walks through the arts and entertainment district. They occur in April and October. Visitors are invited for a self-guided tour through the district. Local businesses open their doors with special exhibits and demonstrations. Performing Arts Center Located on the Frostburg State University campus, the Performing Arts Center (PAC) has regular programs held in one of their three theaters. The Cultural Events Series is open to students, faculty, and the general public. The students who are studying dance, music, theater and communication can excel in the Performing Arts Center because it has the basic essentials plus more needed for these majors. It has three main theaters: Pealer Recital Hall, Drama Theater and the Studio Theater. This building also has rehearsal spaces, music practice rooms and electronic labs, shops, offices, classrooms and facilities for the hearing impaired. The community and the campus audiences are welcome to a variety of concerts and many performances. Also many famous comedians and jazz artists that perform there as well.Cultural Events Series Website Roper Gallery Located in the Fine Arts building on Frostburg State University's campus, the Roper gallery hosts fine art exhibits from both senior year art students and traveling exhibits. Libraries Ort Library The Ort Library, located on Frostburg State University's campus, was opened in 1975. The library offers an online catalog of all books and articles in the Maryland state school system. Those materials can be transferred to Frostburg for students and staff. Another service they offer, Ask a Librarian, allows you to ask a librarian's advice for a multitude of problems. Their website also houses Research Port, a database of databases of articles from journals, magazines, and print. The library also offers special collections, archives, subject guides, government document research guide, and genealogy resources. The library has five floors. There are a large number of computers available for use.The library has a regularly updated blog. Ort Library Blog Ort Library Website Frostburg Public Library Located at 65 Main St, the Frostburg Library offers members of the community 10,000 square feet (930 m2) of books, a children's area, and new technology. They offer services such as children's, teen, and adult book sections, magazines, large print, paperbacks, audio books, music, DVDs, and video games. There are computers in the facility, and the staff offers classes on computer use. There is a meeting room in the library that can be rented.Frostburg Public Library Website Movie Theaters There are two movie theaters located in the Frostburg area. R/C Cinemas 1-2-3 is located in the Frostburg Shopping Center and offers current movies at a discounted price. They were not only the first building in the plaza, but they were the first movie theatre in the area to have 3-D capabilities. AMC Country Club Mall 6 is located in nearby LaVale inside the Country Club Mall. The Frostburg Palace Theatre, located on Main St., shows foreign and independent films.R/C Cinemas 1-2-3 AMC Country Club Mall 6 Frostburg Palace Theatre Mission Planetarium The Frostburg State University planetarium is located in Tawes Hall. The planetarium offers a different show every month, which are shown on Sundays at 4PM and 7PM. Planetarium Website Appalachian Festival The Appalachian Festival occurs every year on the third weekend in September on Frostburg State University's upper quad. The festival highlights music, food, and crafts of the Appalachian region. Artisans from the area come and sell their wares in areas of woodworking, quilts, and glasswork. There are children's activities offered and educational opportunities. There are often live animals in a petting zoo format. There are tents that offer instruction in folk skills such as dancing, soap making, and basket making.Appalachian Festival The Bottom Line Frostburg State University publishes a student newspaper called The Bottom Line. It is published weekly, and they currently have a circulation of 2,500 copies. The paper covers areas such as news, local crime, lifestyle topics, sex, music, and sports. Their feature BurgList (a Frostburg State University version of Craigslist) allows students and members of the community to post ads for goods for sale, housing, and local events.The Bottom Line Website BurgList The Western Maryland Scenic Railroad The WMSR runs a loop that begins/ends in Cumberland at Canal Place. The line stops in Frostburg at the Frostburg Depot for ninety minutes so passengers may shop or eat lunch. Surrounding the Depot are Linns Bar and Grill, The Trail Inn and Cafe, The Great Allegheny Passage Hiking/Biking Trail, and the Thrasher Carriage Museum. The standard train ride departs at 11:30AM from the Cumberland station and lasts approximately 3.5 hours. They also offer a variety of specialty trains. Examples include a Murder Mystery train, Caboose Rental, a Christmas themed train, and a nighttime Santa Express.Western Maryland Scenic Railroad Website Linns Bar and Grill Great Allegheny Passage Trail Inn and Cafe Thrasher Carriage Museum The museum gives visitors the chance to take a look back in time to the nineteenth century to see how the people in that century were transported. There are examples of the different types of vehicles there. For example, there are funeral wagons, carts, pleasure vehicles, carts a milkman would have used and a lot more. There are docents who dress up in the Victorian American clothing from that time. It gives the visitors the feeling that they are going back in time. This museum really gives visitors a chance to look into the life of a person from the 19th century. The Thrasher Carriage Museum was named after James Richard Thrasher. He lived in Midland, Maryland and was born in 1913. Mr. Thrasher developed a love of horses at a very early age which led him into collecting carriages and participating in various parades just to show off his collection. He died in 1987.Thrasher Carriage Museum Historic Downtown Frostburg Historical Downtown Frostburg was constructed between the years of 1870-1915 when the town was entrenched in the mining and brick making industry.The Princess Restaurant, located on Main St., has been in business since 1939. Former President Truman visited the restaurant shortly after he left office; a framed sign hangs above the booth in which he sat.The Hotel Gunter, located on Main St across the street from the Princess Restaurant, opened in 1897. Originally named Hotel Gladstone, the original hotel had 100 rooms, a cafe, a barbershop, and a sample room for displaying traveling salesmen's wares. The hotel tanked and was sold in 1903 to William Gunter, who renamed it the Hotel Gunter in 1925. He installed a jail for prisoners being transferred and a cock-fighting ring in the basement. The hotel's basement was also used as a speakeasy during prohibition. Bars/Nightlife There are eleven bars within city limits. Duncan's bar and grill was established in 1945 in various incarnations. They offer live music on Wednesdays. At least once a week, during the school year, a variety of rock, punk, and metal music is performed at least once a week on the weekends.Dante's was established in 1970 and has an open mic night every Thursday, traditional Irish music on the first Wednesday of each month, and a variety of music on the weekends. Municipal Activities The Frostbug Community Swimming Pool is located at 200 South Water St.The Frostburg Public Rifle Range is located at Clifton Terrace just off Rt. 40. The range has four 100 yard firing lanes, one 200 yard firing lane, and a 6 lane 25 meter pistol range.The Mapelhurst Country Club golf course features 18 holes, and 6,677 yards of course.ParksParis N. Glendening Recreation Complex, is located at Shaw St. and Rynex Ave. The park offers two basketball courts, two pavilions, a playground, two fishing ponds, and a half-mile walking trail. Frostburg Community Park is located on South Water St. The park has two baseball fields, two pavilions, a basketball court, a playground, and a pool. Mount Pleasant Street Park is located on Maryland Ave. and Mt. Pleasant St. The park has a basketball court, a playground, and a baseball field. East End Park is located at Cemetery Road and McCulloh St. The park offers a playground and an indoor pavilion with a kitchen area. West End Park is located on Mechanic St. and Wenck's Lane. The park has a large pavilion and a field. Calhoun Park, on Willow Lane, has a full-size baseball field. Center for Creative Writing Located on Main Street, the Center for Creative Writing aims to bring creative writers to Frostburg and to expand the writing ability and exposure to literature of the residents and students of Frostburg. They host a variety of events open to the public. There are also workshops that can be attended for a small fee. They sponsor the 3 AM Society, an organization of student writers.Center for Creative Writing Radio stations 560 AM/105.3/98.5 WFRB FM Country, local talk, offers online streaming 91.9/96.3 WFWM FM 24hr informational/educational/cultural radio station 100.9 Today's and yesterday's favourites 97.1 WLIC FM religious radio, talks on separation of religion and state, offer online streaming 94.1 QZK FM top 40 hits 101.1 WWPN FM Disney hits 101.7 WCCL FM Oldies station; features 'Pet of the Week' to aid in the adoption of shelter pets Facilities at Frostburg State University FSU allows members of the community to purchase a one year gold, silver, or bronze membership to use their gym facilities. Gold members are allowed use of the Cordts Physical Education Center including the swimming pool, weight room, raquetball courts, squash courts, tennis courts, practice gym, main arena, aerobics classes (for an extra fee) and track. Silver members are allowed use of the pool, weight room, and aerobic classes. Bronze members are allowed use of either the weight room or the pool. FSU Activities for Life also offer classes for both children and adults. Children can learn beginning rock climbing, tumbling, swimming, and dance. Adults can learn Qigong, yoga, pilates, water aerobics, aerobics, and tumbling. City officials Mayor: Arthur T. Bond City Administrator: John R. Kirby, Jr. Chief of Police: William Evans Notable Landmarks ChurchesFrostburg is home to theGod's Ark of Safetyministry and its associated roadside landmark, a skeletal steel structure representing the biblicalNoah's Arkbeing built on theI-68highway hillside since 1976. Welsh Memorial Baptist Church is located on Charles and Beal Streets. built by Welsh Immigrants in the 1860s. The Church is still committed to serving the community after more than 140 years. Frostburg United Methodist Churchis located on 48 W. Main Street. It is one of the oldest churches in Frostburg being est. around 1836. The building that is located on 48 W. Main Street was erected in 1871-72. Dickerson African Methodist Episcopal Church is located on 146 W. Mechanic St. It is one of the oldest church in Allegany County Maryland being est. in 1845. It is also one of the oldest African American churches still in operation in the state of Maryland. There are twelve churches within Frostburg's city limits. Service CentersFailinger's Hotel Gunter Princess Restaurant The Palace Theatre is located on 31 east Main Street in Frostburg Maryland. As early as 1907 the local people of Frostburg have gone there to see good films. In 1912 the Palace Theatre company bought the building and remodeled it as a movie theatre until 1981. Beginning in 1981, it rooted itself into the community through having local school performances and really rooted itself into the community. The theatre is showing foreign, classic and independent films. The Great Allegheny Passage was a 150-mile (240 km) system of biking and hiking trails for the public that is planned to connect Cumberland, MD to Pittsburgh, PA. Atatrail.org reports this trail having a very scenic route as it is a segment of the Potomac Heritage National Scenic Trail which goes from Washington D.C. to Cumberland to Pittsburgh. Part of this trail is a giant canal that is used for activities ranging from fishing and biking to camping. In 2006 a section of the trail was completed, the connection from Cumberland, MD to the C&O Canal Towpath creating a 320-mile (510 km) long trail from Duquesne, near Pittsburgh, to Washington, DC(2009). However the final few miles from Duquesne to Pittsburgh are still under construction and are hoped to be finished soon. Au Petit Paris or “A Little Bit of Paris” is a restaurant with history dating back to the 1950s. Located on Main Street, in Frostburg, MD, this French restaurant has come a long way since its beginning as a private club for French airman at Amarillo Air Force Base. On June 20, 1960 Au Petit Paris began anew in Frostburg, MD, owned by one of the original chefs Louis St. Marie. Frostburg State University, located in Frostburg MD, was founded in 1898. Beginning as a university for teachers Frostburg became a liberal arts school in 1960. Today Frostburg State University has 4,755 undergraduate students, 630 graduates, and an 18:1 student faculty ratio. Notable residents Brad Barkley, novelist and short-story writer James Glenn Beall, Republican U.S. senator from Maryland, 1953–1965 Fred Davis, former sheriff of Charles County, Maryland, 1994–2006 Andy Duncan (writer), American science fiction and fantasy writer Stephen Dunn, poet and winner of the Pulitzer Prize John J. Hafer, Republican Maryland state senator, 1991–2007 Lucius 'Pete' Carlton Harper, jazz pioneer, musician, civil rights activist, and businessman Ray Kuhlman, pilot and minor league baseball owner Franklin Clarence Mars, founder of the Mars candy empire. Bob Robertson, professional baseball player James Sprigg, Whig U.S. congressman from Kentucky, 1841–1843 Cities Cumberland, Maryland Hagerstown, Maryland Morgantown, West Virginia Smaller communities Barton, Maryland Callimont, Pennsylvania Carpendale, West Virginia Cresaptown, Maryland Klondike, Maryland La Vale, Maryland Lonaconing, Maryland Midland, Maryland Wellersburg, Pennsylvania Woodland, Maryland Eckhart Mines, Maryland Sister city Viljandi, Estonia