Texaco Fire Chief

Some historical info can found at brownsvilleboro.com, follow the link to an archive of newspaper columns concerning Brownsville, and at brownsvillepa.net, which has several pages.The wiki for Brownsville has 1 interesting fact: the population was over 8,000 in 1940, it is only a little over 2,000 now. While Brownsville experienced its 1st boom from the NR, it was also the head of navigation on the Mon River for many years, the steamboat building trade was very active. The 2nd boom(early 1900's) came from coal mining, coke ovens, and railroads all tied to the Pittsburgh steel industry.When that industry died in the late 1970's, much of the Mon valley from Brownsville to Pittsburgh fell on hard times. In 2001 and again last year, I visited the 2 Volunteer Fire Depts.in Brownsville to photograph their apparatus and find out about their operations. These 2 companies use both fundraising and whatever gov't assistance can be found to maintain their stations and equipment. IIRC, 1 of the chiefs is the code enforcement officer, also gov't grants have paid for building stabilization, a new fire engine, police assistance, etc. Another fact of interest is that the crime rate has been cut in half in 10 years, it was evident in 2001 that Brownsville had a "problem". Any serious effort to market what's left of this burg as an NR mecca will depend on visitors being safe.

The Sideling Hill Exhibit center will close 8/31/09 for good, Md. state officials will not fund this facility "even if there is a remarkable turnaround" in the state's economy. There is a proposal from the town of Hancock to move the exhibits and other materials there, but nothing has been offered as a location. This is really all about the salaries of the 4 employees that worked there ($110,000/yr.). The local officials tried, but it is difficult to coordinate a "rescue" of this facility when every local jurisdiction is "broke". It is distressing that in less than 20 years (facility opened to great fanfare in 1991), what was considered valuable and necessary is now going to be another empty building. It seems to me that this country faces a time in the future where no one will care about this country's history or culture, the younger generations (X,Y,and the millenials) already show nothing but apathy and ignorance...

Latest news is mixed. The state has agreed to fund Thurs-Sun. operations until 9-1-09. Local interests have until 8-21-09 to find alternative funding, however Allegany and Washington Counties' commissioners have nixed using any general funds to operate the center. Tourism and business interests are optimistic that the local motel/hotel tax can be tapped for limited operations, at least until the supporters can find permanent sources of funding. The local school districts have also weighed in; seems this is a popular destination for schoolkid field trips. To read more, go to Heraldmail.com.

Any National Road/US40/I-68 traveler may be interested in the proposed closing of the Sideling Hill Exhibit center on the east slope of Sideling Hill. This is because of MD.'s budget crisis, however an effort has been started by the Town of Hancock and Allegany and Wash. Cos., to try to save it. The rest rooms, parking and scenic views will remain...

A recent ride along US 22 between Altoona and New Alexandria,PA. revealed that the long-term construction project is well along, and soon some of the original alignment between Ebensburg and Blairsville will be gone. A nice website dealing with some of these changes is stuffthatsgone.com, which also has other US22 material, plus much more abandoned infrastructure in the southwest PA. area. US22 (aka William Penn Hwy.) is mostly ignored because of the Lincoln and the NR, but it certainly has its interesting parts...

In Nov. 2008. Maryland Public Broadcasting (MPT) premiered its new documentary, "Moving Maryland Forward" the history of MD's roads. Made for the 100th anniversary of the State HWY. Admin., the documentary takes a wide look at the development of a statewide highway system, with appropriate coverage of National Road, US 1, 40, 50, etc. The program was repeated in March, with more viewings later this year. At the end of 2008, a companion hard-cover book to the documentary was released with limited distribution, I am happy to say it is now available via Amazon. It is pricey ($50), with a leftward slant to controversial subjects, but worth it for some of the great photos, stories, and anecdotes. I would recommend this for anyone interested in MD's roads, residents should check their local libraries to see a copy.

Since there was no Maryland ads in the magazine I would like to make any future traveler to MD. aware of visitmd.org, and its free travel kit. One can choose up to 9 free brochures on MD attractions, the Historic National Road fold-out map and guide is a must for MD NR devotees. There is also a separate 'scenic byways' brochure which describes many other 2-lane roads in the state.

Photos of this sign, along with other Sideling Hill west slope scenes in B&W are posted in the member's gallery. I should mention that I do have color shots of many of the scenes and can scan them for future presentation if desired.

Top photo is Denny Gibson's Bottom photo is dated 1962 and is courtesy of the Frostburg Museum, of which I am a member. The auto dealership was gone by 1970. and it was used for storage until conversion to a hardware store in the early 90's.

The first 10 posts to my B&W National RD. gallery have been made, with additional entries to come. Other new gallery albums are also on the way! Warren Jenkins