Cumberland, MD: The Big Blue Spring

The Big Blue Spring is located to the right and behind the Canada Hose Co. #1 building at 400-402 N. Mechanic St., Cumberland, MD. The spring is mentioned often in early histories of the city and it was, apparently, a local source for fresh water. According to MD Historical Trust records, the Canada Hose Co. building was erected in 1845 and it is conceivable the location was chosen for it's source of water.

As shown in the Sanborn Map, 1887, the spring connected to Will's Creek and did so until the flood control project in the 1950's. Local residents familiar with the spring say it used to be stocked with goldfish.

Current condition: The spring is on City property and the walls have collapsed. No water can be seen in the hole so the condition of the spring itself is unknown. There are no historical markers related to the spring. (The information on the plaque in the picture is unrelated to the spring.)

View Big Blue Spring on a larger map

William Lowdermilk's book "The History of Cumberland, MD (1878) has the following references to the (Big) Blue Spring:

The town was located then almost entirely on the west side of Will's Creek, and nearly all the houses were built along the old Braddock Road, now Green street; but on the bluff in the neighborhood of Washington street several had been erected. There was also a large log house at the "Blue Spring," which is still standing, just above the Cumberland Hose Company's house, on North Mechanic street, and one or two a short distance further up the road. (p. 262)

Probably the first house built on the east side of the Creek was that erected by David Hoffinan, a little south of the Blue Spring, on north Mechanic street. It was constructed of logs, and was about 40 x 25 feet in size.

The log house on north Mechanic street, above the "Blue Spring," was built about 1791, by an old bachelor, named Wyatt. It was used in 1809 by Samuel Smith, as a store house, and the Post office was then kept there, Mr. Smith being the Postmaster. (p. 262)

Between Bedford street and the Blue Spring: — The first house was where the gas works stand, and was occupied by a shoemaker named McDonald; then came Adam Zeigler's store; Jacob Neff's pottery; W. Boyd, a Methodist Episcopal minister; James Simmons, butcher; Robert McCleary, and Jacob Koms, blacksmith, just below the Blue Spring. Above the Spring were Samuel Smith, store and post office; Henry Korns, comb-maker; M. Soyster, tan yard; Jacob Soyster, saddler, and Wm. Beard. West side of Mechanic street : — First, Martin Rizer's house ; between Harrison and Baltimore streets, Michael Kershner's new house; Arthur Rose; John Boward; Christian Deetz; N. Bassnet; George Hoffman, and on the southeast corner of Baltimore, John Murrell's store. (p. 291)

May 19, 1843 - The Blue Spring was improved and walled up, and protected by ordinance. (p. 353)

From Thomas Searight's book The Old Pike (p. 204):

Lewis Smith kept "The Blue Springs House" on Mechanics street, and was largely patronized by old wagoners.

From the MD Historic Trust (Historic Inventory #AL-IV-A-091):

This abundant source of water played a vastly important role is the early days of Cumberland's settlement. It's location on Mechanic St. on the banks of Will's Creek placed it in the heart of the quickly developing Queen City. It served as the neighborhood supply of drinking water for both residents and their animals. The spring doubled as a meeting place the neighborhood as was true of similar places in almost every community in the late 18th and early 19th centuries. Today the Blue Spring is still in existence, but it is not used as it was two hundred years ago. A recent flood control project has cut off the spring's natural outlet to Will's Creek, but it has been made into a small park and each year it is stocked with fish. It adds pleasant relief to this older, very busy section of the City. A marker telling of the early spring and its service to the community would assist the public in appreciating this little spot.

Source: Historic Landmarks in Allegany County - Staff Report by the Allegany County Planning & Zoning Commission, Jan. 1965