In preparation for the Deep Creek Lake Centennial celebration in 2025, the POA has sponsored the development of a digital archive of Garrett County and Deep Creek Lake Visitor’s Guides dating back to the 1950’s. With financial assistance with a grant from the Garrett County Mountain Maryland Gateway to the West Heritage Area, the POA worked with the Ruth Enlow Library of Garrett County to scan searchable copies of over 40 copies of the Visitor’s Guides throughout the years. The documents were loaned by the Garrett County Historical Society Museum, with rights for digitization granted by the Garrett County Chamber of Commerce. The POA has organized a committee (DCL100 Committee) comprised of over 10 organizations around the lake to celebrate its centennial, with this project representing one of the initial efforts. “Digitization of these old Visitor’s Guides was a great way to start preparations for the lake’s Centennial,” said Committee Chair Chris Nichols, “Not only are we providing increased access to the rich history of the lake, but we’ll be able to use these vintage ads, images, and articles for the promotion of the Centennial.”
The archive is public and free to use and can be searched for text. When searching the archive for specific text, be sure to select the “Search text contents” button, not the “Search metadata” directly below the search bar. It can be accessed here.
The listing of Visitor’s Guides by year that have been scanned can be found here.
The POA and DCL100 Committee are actively seeking other historical documents, images, and stories related to the lake, as well as completing the digital collection of Visitor’s Guides. Anyone with these materials is encouraged to contact the POA at 301 616-7881 or deepcreeklakepoa@gmail.com if they would be willing to loan these documents to get scanned.
