Years before St. Michael's Church was built, Meshach Frost and his wife Catherine purchased this property in 1812. When the Frosts bought the property, construction of the National Road was already underway, and they soon found they were feeding and housing laborers working on the road. Once the National Road was completed through western Maryland, the Frosts' Highland Hall became a popular stop where travelers changed horses and relayed the mail and freight. Originally called Mount Pleasant, the name changed to Frost Town and then Frostburg in honor of Meshach Frost, who was also postmaster. Soon after, coal was found nearby, and the town's population exploded. Mine workers, goods, and supplies arrived by way of the National Road. Main Street, the National Road through Frostburg, soon developed into a busy commercial district. The Frost family not only founded Frostburg, but also was instrumental in developing the coal industry that kept the town prosperous after the railroad eclipsed travel along the National Road.