Frostburg, Maryland’s “double house” craze is making a comeback – here’s why

Frostburg’s Victorian Coal Boom Architecture Becomes Arts District

Coal and brick built Frostburg’s grand Victorian legacy.

From 1870 to 1915, rich mine owners filled the town with fancy Italianate buildings and two-story double frame houses.

The crown jewel, Hotel Gunter, rose five stories in 1897, hosting senators and hiding a basement speakeasy during Prohibition. Years later, when the mines closed, the town faced hard times.

Yet these 350 historic structures survived, protected since 1975 by local laws and listed on the National Register in 1983.

Now, this preserved architectural treasure forms the backbone of Maryland’s vibrant arts district where history meets creativity on every street corner.

Coal Money Built This Mountain Town From Scratch

From 1870 to 1915, Frostburg changed from a quiet mountain town into a busy hub thanks to coal mines and brick factories that brought money to town.

Business owners and coal bosses moved in with their cash and big plans. Workers followed the jobs, and Frostburg needed new homes, shops, and hotels fast.

As coal from the nearby Georges Creek Coal Field shipped out, many locals got rich almost overnight.

Rich Folks Showed Off With Fancy Buildings

Frostburg’s wealthy folks built fancy Victorian and Italianate buildings during the boom years. These buildings weren’t just places to live or work – they were ways to show off their coal money.

The fancy buildings had detailed woodwork, pretty brackets under roofs, and tall windows with special trims.

Downtown, you could spot towers, turrets, and wrap-around porches that told everyone the owner had plenty of money.

Two Families Shared Most Frostburg Homes

Most houses from this time followed a smart but good-looking design – two-story double frame houses. These homes let two families live under one roof while keeping their own space and comfort.

The matching layouts usually had doors on each side and split living areas inside.

This clever use of space created Frostburg’s special look, with rows of these double homes lining the streets and giving the town a unified style that still exists today.

Hotel Gunter Cost More Than Most People Earned In A Lifetime

The town’s crown jewel opened in 1897 when the grand Hotel Gunter welcomed its first guests. At a shocking cost of $100,000 (about $3.5 million today), the five-story building stood as the biggest and best for miles around.

Senators, congressmen, and business big shots stayed there often, making it Western Maryland’s social center.

The hotel showed that Frostburg had become an important place on the map.

The Hotel Had Its Own Zoo And Sports Complex

Hotel Gunter gave guests perks that seemed unreal for a mountain town in the 1890s.

The 100-room hotel had its own barbershop, tennis courts, and oddly, a petting zoo with a tame deer that guests could feed. Visitors often went to the fifth-floor deck to see amazing views across the Allegheny Mountains.

The hotel staff took pride in giving big-city luxury in what was basically a coal town.

Secret Booze And Cockfights Happened In The Basement

During Prohibition, Hotel Gunter’s basement turned into a busy speakeasy where locals came for illegal drinks and fun. Brass bands played music while moonshiners snuck liquor through the back door.

The basement also hosted cockfighting where men bet on fighting roosters.

Hotel workers watched for police raids, though local cops often ignored what went on under the respectable hotel above.

The Town Nearly Lost Its Historic Buildings

As coal mining slowed after 1915, Frostburg faced hard times that put its old buildings at risk. Buildings fell apart as owners couldn’t afford upkeep.

Some got covered with aluminum siding or went through clumsy “updates” that hid their Victorian charm. Others faced being torn down as the town struggled to find new purpose.

The beautiful buildings that once showed wealth now seemed too costly for many property owners.

Locals Banded Together To Save Old Buildings

Frostburg started its Historic District Commission in 1975 when worried citizens realized they needed to act before more historic buildings disappeared.

The commission made rules to protect buildings from destruction while still letting owners update them for modern use. They helped owners find grants and tax breaks for fixing up old properties.

This community effort was one of the first preservation movements in Western Maryland.

The Government Made It Official In 1983

The Frostburg Historic District earned a spot on the National Register of Historic Places in 1983, giving national recognition to over 350 commercial and residential properties.

This listing validated what locals already knew – their Victorian and Italianate buildings represented an important piece of American architectural history worth saving.

The designation helped secure funding for preservation projects and put Frostburg on the map for history buffs and architecture lovers across the country.

Artists Found A Home Among The Victorians

Maryland named Frostburg its 18th Arts & Entertainment District in July 2009, recognizing how the historic buildings had become magnets for creative people.

The designation acknowledged both the town’s artistic past and its growing contemporary arts scene.

Artists set up studios in former coal offices, and musicians performed in spaces that once housed mining equipment suppliers.

The Victorian buildings provided unique, character-filled spaces that attracted creative people looking for inspiration.

Old Buildings Now Drive The Town’s New Economy

Today, Frostburg’s Victorian downtown creates a genuine step-back-in-time experience that draws visitors from across the region.

Local businesses operate from storefronts with original tin ceilings and wooden floors, many dedicating wall space to showcase works by local artists.

What started as a preservation effort has evolved into the foundation of Frostburg’s identity and economy.

The same buildings that once housed coal barons now welcome tourists, students, and artists who appreciate their historical significance and architectural beauty.

Visiting Frostburg, Maryland

You can explore Frostburg’s Victorian and Italianate buildings from the coal boom era by picking up a walking tour map at City Hall or the visitor center.

The historic district has over 350 properties on the National Register, and Main Street follows the original National Road.

Check out The Toasted Goat Winery in the historic Hotel Gunter, browse galleries in the Arts & Entertainment District, and visit the Frostburg Museum for mining exhibits.

This article was created with AI assistance and human editing.

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