[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 133 (Tuesday, October 5, 1999)]
[Senate]
[Page S12046]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         ADDITIONAL STATEMENTS

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            COMMEMORATION FOR THE TOWN OF OAKLAND, MARYLAND

 Ms. MIKULSKI. Mr. President, I rise to extend my sincerest 
congratulations to the town of Oakland, Maryland, as it enters its 
Sesquicentennial Year on October 10, 1999. Oakland, the county seat of 
Garrett County, enjoys a long and proud history in the State of 
Maryland.
  Nestled in the Appalachian Mountains, Oakland is blessed with a 
natural beauty all four seasons, from snowy hills in winter to pastel 
flowers in spring to lush foliage in summer to gorgeous red, orange and 
gold trees in autumn. Even Oakland's early name, ``Yough Glades,'' 
conjures up images of river and forest, natural beauty and abundant 
resources.
  Oakland's rich history tells a story of a small farming community 
which grew with the opening of the first sawmill, expanded with the 
arrival of the railroad and continues to grow with old and new 
livelihoods alike, all the while treasuring those qualities which make 
it special--beauty, peacefulness and small town charm.
  ``A Brief History of Oakland, Maryland'' by John Grant describes the 
people, forces and events which shaped the town of Oakland. Three 
Indian trails met in a meadow on the western edge of Oakland and formed 
an entrance into the Yough Glades where Native Americans hunted in the 
forest and fished in the Youghiogheny River for hundreds and hundreds 
of years. White settlers followed in the 1790s as the fertile soil in 
``Glades" country attracted more and more farmers.
  Around 1830, the first combination gristmill and sawmill provided 
lumber for the homes and shops in the growing community. On October 10, 
1849, the town which had been known by several different names 
including Yough Glades became ``Oakland.''
  The arrival of the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad in 1851 triggered a 
growth spurt in Oakland. Business and tradesmen frequented the newly 
built Glades Hotel and more people moved to the town. In 1862, Oakland 
incorporated a regular town government and in 1872 Oakland was selected 
as the County Seat of the newly formed Garrett County. The B&O Railroad 
continued its influence on the growth of the town with its construction 
of the Oakland Hotel in 1875. The hotel attracted many summer visitors, 
several of whom later built summer homes in Oakland.
  Tragedy has struck Oakland more than once, and each time the town 
bounced back. The Wilson Creek flooded in 1896 and periodically over 
the next 70 years before a series of dams built in the late 1960s 
controlled the flooding. A devastating fire destroyed the business 
section of Oakland in 1898. The town used brick fire walls when 
rebuilding the downtown area, a farsighted decision which paid off in 
1994 when fire struck again. This time only two buildings were 
destroyed.
  Natural resources and beauty have long contributed to Oakland's 
economy and continue to do so today. The lumber industry, which began 
in the late 1800s, still provides jobs in Oakland. Coal, another 
natural resource, is found in the mountains near Oakland and adds to 
the economy of the town. And Oakland's natural beauty, which drew 
visitors to the Oakland Hotel in 1875, continues to attract people from 
all over the country seeking not only its beautiful vistas, but also 
its myriad of recreational opportunities all year round. Today, 
visitors to Oakland can choose from a variety of activities including 
hiking, biking, fishing, boating and skiing.
  The town of Oakland reminds us of all that is good in our country. 
Oakland is a place where fire and rescue services are still staffed by 
volunteers, where folks greet each other with a friendly wave and 
hello, where people work together to support their schools and 
community, and where patriotism runs deep. In so many ways, Oakland is 
truly a ``Main Street Community,'' as the State of Maryland has so 
fittingly designated it.
  Once again, I extend my congratulations to Oakland on their 150th 
anniversary and I invite all my colleagues to visit this Maryland 
treasure.

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