200-208 Decatur Street
a.k.a. Row Houses
200, 202, 204, 206, 208 Decatur St., Cumberland, MDThis group of mid nineteenth century row houses is important for its architecture. It represents an urban form of domestic architecture that is not commonly found in Cumberland, Maryland. The row house, a major tool for defining urban scale and space, was overshadowed in popularity in this Western Maryland town by the detached and semidetached house, even after late nineteenth century industrialism created the pressure for more housing and denser land occupation.
The Decatur Street group is one of the oldest rows remaining in the city. It was built in the 1840's or early 1850's. Decatur Street is a part of Smith's Addition to Cumberland and was laid out about the mid 1840's. The row house group is shown on the 1853 Map of Cumberland.
Decatur Street was a fashionable residential neighborhood well into the twentieth century. It was named in honor of Commodore Stephen Decatur, hero of the American expeditions against the Barbary pirates. The street never attained the "upper class" status that was associated with the Washington Street area although various professional families resided along it. This group of row houses is indicative of the atmosphere that once characterized the street. Neither pretentious or massive, the building has a refined and intimate quality showing the scale of human use. Its classically lined facade creates a rhythm that is carried along the street in the facades of other mid nineteenth century classical buildings. In recent years the area has begun to decline and urban blight threatens to destroy this important part of Cumberland's heritage.
Local significance of the building:
The Decatur Street group is one of the oldest rows remaining in the city. It was built in the 1840's or early 1850's. Decatur Street is a part of Smith's Addition to Cumberland and was laid out about the mid 1840's. The row house group is shown on the 1853 Map of Cumberland.
Decatur Street was a fashionable residential neighborhood well into the twentieth century. It was named in honor of Commodore Stephen Decatur, hero of the American expeditions against the Barbary pirates. The street never attained the "upper class" status that was associated with the Washington Street area although various professional families resided along it. This group of row houses is indicative of the atmosphere that once characterized the street. Neither pretentious or massive, the building has a refined and intimate quality showing the scale of human use. Its classically lined facade creates a rhythm that is carried along the street in the facades of other mid nineteenth century classical buildings. In recent years the area has begun to decline and urban blight threatens to destroy this important part of Cumberland's heritage.
Architecture
Listed in National Register of Historic Places in 1975.
About National Register Listings
The National Register of Historic Places is the official list of the Nation’s historic places worthy of preservation. Authorized by the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, the National Park Service’s National Register of Historic Places is part of a national program to coordinate and support public and private efforts to identify, evaluate, and protect America’s historic and archeological resources.
Maryland was once a center of the slave trade: Maryland was one of the thirteen colonies that allowed slavery, and by the mid-18th century, it had become a major center of the domestic slave trade. Maryland slave traders sold enslaved people to plantation owners in other southern colonies and to the Caribbean.
About Allegany County
Allegany County Timeline
Allegany County, located in western Maryland, has a rich and diverse history that stretches back thousands of years. The region was home to Native American tribes, including the Susquehannocks and the Seneca, before the arrival of European settlers. In the 18th century, the French and British fought for control of the area, with the British ultimately establishing dominance and building Fort Cumberland in present-day Cumberland.
During the 19th century, Allegany County experienced significant growth and development due to its close proximity to the National Road, a major transportation route connecting the East Coast to the Ohio River Valley. The county became an important logistical hub and saw the establishment of towns and industries such as manufacturing, coal mining, and transportation. In 1854, the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal was completed, further boosting commercial activity in the region.
Allegany County played a significant role during the American Civil War. Located on the border between the North and the South, the county was heavily contested and saw multiple skirmishes and battles, including the Battle of Folck's Mill. The war had a lasting impact on the county, causing economic disruption and leaving scars on the landscape.
In the 20th century, Allegany County continued to experience changes in its economy and demographics. The decline of traditional industries such as coal mining and manufacturing led to a shift towards service industries, healthcare, and education. The county is home to Frostburg State University and the Western Maryland Scenic Railroad, which both contribute to its cultural and tourist attractions. Today, Allegany County combines its historical significance with its modern developments, offering a unique blend of heritage and progress.
During the 19th century, Allegany County experienced significant growth and development due to its close proximity to the National Road, a major transportation route connecting the East Coast to the Ohio River Valley. The county became an important logistical hub and saw the establishment of towns and industries such as manufacturing, coal mining, and transportation. In 1854, the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal was completed, further boosting commercial activity in the region.
Allegany County played a significant role during the American Civil War. Located on the border between the North and the South, the county was heavily contested and saw multiple skirmishes and battles, including the Battle of Folck's Mill. The war had a lasting impact on the county, causing economic disruption and leaving scars on the landscape.
In the 20th century, Allegany County continued to experience changes in its economy and demographics. The decline of traditional industries such as coal mining and manufacturing led to a shift towards service industries, healthcare, and education. The county is home to Frostburg State University and the Western Maryland Scenic Railroad, which both contribute to its cultural and tourist attractions. Today, Allegany County combines its historical significance with its modern developments, offering a unique blend of heritage and progress.
Allegany County Timeline
This timeline provides a glimpse into the major events and milestones that have shaped the history of Allegany County, Maryland.
- 1789 - Allegany County was established by the General Assembly of Maryland.
- 1791 - The county seat was established in Cumberland.
- 1801 - The National Road, a major highway, was authorized to be constructed through Allegany County.
- 1811 - The first courthouse in Cumberland was completed.
- 1824 - The Chesapeake and Ohio Canal began construction in Cumberland, becoming an important transportation route.
- 1851 - The Baltimore and Ohio Railroad reached Cumberland, further enhancing transportation in the county.
- 1862 - Allegany County played a significant role in the American Civil War as a transportation hub and defense location.
- 1920s - The county experienced economic growth due to coal mining and the manufacturing industry.
- 1950s - The construction of Interstate 68 provided better transportation access to Allegany County.
- Today - Allegany County continues to be a picturesque area with a mix of rural and urban landscapes, attracting visitors with its natural beauty and historical sites.