Oakland is a town in the west-central part of Garrett County, Maryland, United States. With a population of 1,930 according to United States Census 2000 figures, it is the most populated community in Garrett County. The town is also the county seat of Garrett County and is located within the Pittsburgh DMA.
Oakland is situated only miles from the source of the Potomac River, which flows directly into the Chesapeake Bay. It is also near the Wisp Resort at Deep Creek Lake, a major ski resort for many Marylanders and other visitors. The Autumn Glory Festival, a fall festival that attracts a great number of tourists, takes place in Oakland every October.
History
Oakland was formally incorporated as a town in 1862.
The town is home to a historic B&O train station, which was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1973, and restored in the 2000s.[1] Trains still run on the train tracks behind the station, but it is mainly used for special organizations or gatherings as of the present day. A gift shop is also located within the station. In front of the station, there are a plethora of festivities that go on, mainly seasonal activities such as housing the town Christmas tree, decorating the plaza for a holiday, and sometimes parties.
Main Street of Oakland consists mainly of historic two to four story buildings that house the main shopping in the area, such as a theatre, museum, book store, a local pharmacy, antique shops, clothing stores and banks. Many of the homes and businesses in the downtown area are examples of Victorian architecture. Much of the central section of Oakland is part of the Oakland Historic District, listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1984.[1]
One of the most prominent and historic churches in Oakland is St. Matthew's Episcopal Church, where U.S. Presidents Ulysses S. Grant, James Garfield, Grover Cleveland, and Benjamin Harrison attended the services offered there in the past. Because of this, it is now called the Church of Presidents. A large neoclassical courthouse is also very prominent and dominates the town center.
In the late 19th century and early 20th century, a large hotel named the Oakland Hotel was located near the downtown train station. It was a major tourist attraction for that time period until it was torn down in the early 20th Century.
Geography
Oakland is in the south-central to western portion of Garrett County, located at 39°24′38″N 79°24′16″W / 39.41056°N 79.40444°W / 39.41056; -79.40444 (39.410480, -79.404380)[2]. It is set in a small valley.
The town has a total area of 2.1 square miles (5.4 km2), with 99.53% of it being land and 0.47% of it being water. It is only 6.61 miles from Second Street to Deep Creek Lake.
Demographics
As of the census[3] of 2000, there were 1,930 persons, 787 households, and 447 families residing in the town. The population density was 915.7 inhabitants per square mile (353.6 /km2). There were 918 housing units at an average density of 435.5 per square mile (168.1 /km2). The racial makeup of the town was 98.13% White, 0.73% African American, 0.16% Native American, 0.57% Asian, 0.16% from other races, and 0.26% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.78% of the population.
There were 787 households out of which 25.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 43.6% were married couples living together, 9.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 43.1% were non-families. 38.8% of all households were made up of individuals and 18.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.09 and the average family size was 2.75.
In the town the population was spread out with 18.5% under the age of 18, 9.4% from 18 to 24, 24.0% from 25 to 44, 23.2% from 45 to 64, and 24.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 43 years. For every 100 females there were 85.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 84.2 males.
The median income for a household in the town was $26,728, and the median income for a family was $38,750. Males had a median income of $29,625 versus $21,542 for females. The per capita income for the town was $16,872. About 13.3% of families and 19.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 21.9% of those under age 18 and 21.0% of those age 65 or over.
Notable residents
References
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