Frostburg, in Allegany County at the headwaters of the Georges Creek basin, was settled in the early 1800's and became a traveler's stop along the newly constructed National Road. Later in the century, the discovery of rich regional coal deposits brought an economic boom that lasted for more than 75 years. Frostburg's "Best Dressed Miners" recognized the importance of education and successfully established State Normal School #2 in 1893, now Frostburg State University. As the coal industry began to fade, the university became the foundation of the city's economy. In Allegany County, the Great Allegheny Passage follows the route of the former Western Maryland Railway and the C&P Railroad, built at an engineered grade of no more than 1.75 percent, while the Western Maryland Scenic Railroad now operates between Cumberland and Frostburg and the former C&P Depot uphill from this site remains in use.