[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 145 (1999), Part 16]
[Senate]
[Pages 22419-22420]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




               THE 150TH ANNIVERSARY OF OAKLAND, MARYLAND

 Mr. SARBANES. Mr. President, I would like to bring to the 
attention of my colleagues the celebration of the 150th anniversary of 
the Town of Oakland, Maryland. The Mayor of Oakland, Asa McCain, Jr., 
and the entire community are planning numerous events to commemorate 
this milestone.
  Like so many of Maryland's historic cities and towns, Oakland, which 
was founded in 1849, has carved its own unique place in American 
history. At Oakland's center is one of the oldest railroad stations in 
the country. The Queen Anne style railroad station designed by E.F. 
Baldwin and built in 1885 by the B & O Railroad is now in the National 
Registry.
  The railroad was responsible for popularization of the Oakland area 
as a resort in the late 1800's and resulted in Garrett County's 
flourishing export of timber and coal. Recently purchased by the ``Save 
the Oakland Station Committee,'' the station will be restored to its 
original splendor in an effort to provide a cornerstone for continued 
growth in the County. In recognition of Oakland's community effort to 
revitalize its economy and preserve its historic past, the Town 
received a National Mainstreet Designation from the National Historical 
Trust in May of this year.

[[Page 22420]]

  Another historically significant location in Oakland is the Church of 
the Presidents, built in 1868. Three United States Presidents, Grant, 
Harrison, and Cleveland, attended services there and preferred Garrett 
County to any other place for their vacations.
  Today, Oakland and Garrett County are well known as one of the finest 
all-season resort areas, offering abundant sports activities including 
fishing, hiking, skiing--both alpine and cross-country--and boating. 
The natural beauty of this pristine area of our state led to Oakland's 
original name, ``The Wilderness Shall Smile.'' In addition, the town of 
Oakland, with its large victorian homes and beautiful tree-lined 
streets, enhance the appeal of this cool, mountainous retreat.
  Oakland has faced its share of economic difficulties. The departure 
in 1996 of Bausch and Lomb, the largest employer in the area, dealt a 
severe blow. Nevertheless, Oakland faced the problem head-on and 
orchestrated an intense effort to recruit alternative employers. In 
April of this year, Simon Pearce, a premier glass maker and Vermont's 
largest tourism attraction, opened a factory just outside of Oakland. 
Through the inspired leadership of Mayor Asa McCain, the town of 
Oakland will continue to thrive and prosper well towards the Town's 
200th anniversary.
  Oakland is a model of community spirit and cooperation. The 
activities planned to commemorate the 150th anniversary exemplify the 
deep devotion of its residents to their community. I share the pride of 
Mayor McCain and all of Oakland's citizens in their Town's historic 
past and optimism for Oakland's continued success in the years to 
come.

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