Mr. John Dorsey, proud owner of Dorsey's Chicken Shack on Pine Avenue, is posed here in front of his business establishment with numerous family members and friends.
The Dingle, depicted here in a photograph taken on September 10, 1916 by Joseph Meyers, was a private residential development in Cumberland's West Side. Excerpts from a letter written by the developer in 1926 states, "I named it 'The Dingle' after a beautiful private estate on the outskirts of Liverpool, England... The Dingle lies between two roads (McMullen Highway and Braddock Road), and means a 'Hollow between the Hills' which is very appropriate".
The Benjamin Banneker Apartment complex on Frederick Street in Cumberland was constructed during 1952-1953. In a Cumberland newspaper article from March 11, 1953, and just prior to its opening, it is simply referred to as the, "colored" housing project. It was eventually named for the Maryland born African-American mathematician and astronomer, Benjamin Banneker (1731-1806).
These photographs depict the 30-unit apartment complex shortly after it opened, and during its razing in August 2007.
Fayette Mitchell and the Founders of Frostburg
The following information was provided by Lynda Edwards Tilley, a native of Frostburg who now teaches English in Howard County, Maryland:
The following article written by Lonaconing historian, Mary E. Meyers (1914-2008) was written in 1990. It was reprinted in the Cumberland Times-News, February 20, 2009 newspaper to help commemorate Black History Month.
Remembering the Blacks of Lonaconing
Mary E. Meyers
October, 1990
In "A History of Lonaconing Methodist Episcopal Church," written in 1904 by the pastor, Rev. Charles A. Jones, the author states that at that time there were about 35 Negroes living among the 7,000 residents of Lonaconing.
Brownsville Monument Dedication - 2020
On Tuesday, August 25, 2020 a ceremony was held on the Upper Quad of Frostburg State University (FSU) in Frostburg, Maryland dedicating a monument to the communities of Brownsville and Park Avenue. These were African-American communities which between the years 1927 and 1962 were displaced to make room for what is now known as Frostburg State University.
Depicted in the photograph unveiling the plaques are, from left to right, Brownsville descendants Janet Jackson and Anita Peck.
Brownsville Dedication Event
The increased expansion of present-day Frostburg State University during the 1920's and continuing for decades afterwards resulted in the displacement of an African-American community known as Brownsville. On October 11, 2014 members of the African-American community, descendants of the residents of Brownsville, citizens of Frostburg and members of the university community gathered to remember and document this event.
FROSTBURG —
To pay homage to an important piece of Frostburg’s history, the state of Maryland and the city of Frostburg have proclaimed Oct. 11 as a day to honor Brownsville, the African-American community that existed where Frostburg State University now stands.
FSU will host a dedication ceremony in recognition of Brownsville at 1 p.m. on the Upper Quad of campus.
CUMBERLAND
Leroy Younger, 68, of Cumberland, went to be with the Lord on Thursday, June 8, 2017, at the Western Maryland Regional Medical Center after a long battle with cancer.
Born June 25, 1948, in Cumberland, Mr. Younger was the son of the late Walter Younger and Elizabeth Selene (Smith) Younger. He was also preceded in death by three sisters, Mary Jane Beckwith, Wilma Jean Younger, and Florence Meade; and a brother, Norman Younger, Sr.
Zenzell N. Younger (Cumberland)
September 9, 2006
Zenzell Nienobe Younger, 28, of Cumberland, died on Thursday, Sept. 7, 2006, at WMHS Sacred Heart Campus Hospital.
Born Oct. 5, 1977, in Cumberland, she was the daughter of Norma Lee Younger, Cumberland, and the late Ronald Britt. A graduate of Allegany High School with honors, Class of 1995, Miss Younger furthered her education at Howard University, Morgan State University and Allegany College of Maryland making the Dean's List. She loved traveling and meeting people.