Mount Savage, MD

Tucked into the valley of Jennings Run between Frostburg and Cumberland, Mount Savage is a peaceful mountain village with deep historical roots. Big Savage Mountain rises to the west, giving the community a dramatic natural backdrop along Route 36. The town really found its footing in the 1830s when iron ore, coal, and fire clay turned it into an industrial boomtown. It even earned a permanent spot in American history in 1844 when its rolling mill produced the country's first solid iron rail.

ATTRAlgorerhythms / CC BY-SA 3.0

That industrial legacy gives Mount Savage much of its visual charm today. Historic stone and brick buildings line Main Street, and Old Row still features restored 1840s miners' cottages that look right out of another era. Modern Mount Savage is quiet and close-knit, offering a slower pace of life with quick access to the shops, healthcare, and dining in nearby Cumberland and Frostburg. It suits anyone drawn to historic architecture, mountain scenery, and the relaxed feel of western Maryland.