Lonaconing, Maryland facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Lonaconing
|
||
|---|---|---|
_at_Douglas_Avenue_in_Lonaconing,_Allegany_County,_Maryland.jpg)
Central Lonaconing along MD 36
|
||
|
||
Location of Lonaconing, Maryland
|
||
 Lonaconing
Location in Maryland
Lonaconing
Location in the United States
|
||
| Country |  United States |
|
| State |  Maryland |
|
| County |  Allegany |
|
| Incorporated | 1890 | |
| Area | ||
| • Total | 0.36 sq mi (0.94 km2) | |
| • Land | 0.36 sq mi (0.94 km2) | |
| • Water | 0.00 sq mi (0.00 km2) | |
| Elevation | 1,499 ft (457 m) | |
| Population
(2020)
|
||
| • Total | 1,001 | |
| • Density | 2,765.19/sq mi (1,067.89/km2) | |
| Time zone | UTC-5 (Eastern (EST)) | |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-4 (EDT) | |
| ZIP code |
21539
|
|
| Area code(s) | 301, 240 | |
| FIPS code | 24-47875 | |
| GNIS feature ID | 2391273 | |
Lonaconing is a town in Allegany County, Maryland, United States. It is located in the Georges Creek Valley. The town is part of the larger Cumberland area. In 2020, about 1,000 people lived in Lonaconing.
Contents
History of Lonaconing
The first non-Native American settlers arrived in Lonaconing in the late 1700s. These early settlers were explorers, hunters, and farmers. Some of their family names included Dye, Duckworth, Green, and Miller.
The first stone house in the area was built in 1790. It was located in Knapps Meadow, just north of Lonaconing. This house still stands today and is a private home. The Lonaconing Historic District was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1983. This means it is a special place recognized for its history.
Famous Baseball Player
Lonaconing is the birthplace of a very famous baseball player named Robert Moses ("Lefty") Grove. He was born in 1900 and became a pitcher. Lefty Grove played for the Baltimore Orioles from 1920 to 1925. He also played for the Philadelphia Athletics and the Boston Red Sox.
Lefty Grove won the "Most Valuable Player" Award. This award is usually displayed at the National Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, New York. However, Lefty Grove's award is special. It is displayed at the George's Creek Library in Lonaconing.
Big Lottery Win
On January 20, 2021, a huge lottery jackpot ticket was sold in Lonaconing. It was one of the largest lottery wins in U.S. history. The winning ticket was bought at Coney Market, a local store. The winner chose to remain anonymous.
Lonaconing's Old Industries
Lonaconing was once home to several important industries.
Glassware Factories
Several companies made glass products in Lonaconing:
- 1914-1915: Dugan Glass
- 1914-1918: Lonaconing Glass
- 1919-1929: Utility Glass Works
- 1930-1934: Sloan Bros Glass Company
Early Mining Railroads
In the 1840s, companies that mined iron and coal built railroads in Lonaconing. They wanted to connect with bigger railroads like the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad (B&O). These mining companies even had their own trains. By 1870, all these smaller rail lines became part of the Cumberland and Pennsylvania Railroad.
The Lonaconing Furnace
The Georges Creek Coal and Iron Company built a blast furnace in Lonaconing. It operated from 1836 to 1855. A blast furnace is a large oven used to make iron from iron ore. The company also built the Georges Creek Railroad to help with their work. The Lonaconing Furnace is also listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Population Changes
The population of Lonaconing has changed over the years. Here is how many people lived in the town during different census years:
| Historical population | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1900 | 2,181 | — | |
| 1910 | 1,553 | −28.8% | |
| 1920 | 2,054 | 32.3% | |
| 1930 | 2,426 | 18.1% | |
| 1940 | 2,429 | 0.1% | |
| 1950 | 2,289 | −5.8% | |
| 1960 | 2,007 | −12.3% | |
| 1970 | 1,572 | −21.7% | |
| 1980 | 1,420 | −9.7% | |
| 1990 | 1,122 | −21.0% | |
| 2000 | 1,205 | 7.4% | |
| 2010 | 1,214 | 0.7% | |
| 2020 | 1,001 | −17.5% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census | |||
In 2010, there were 1,214 people living in Lonaconing. About 23.8% of the residents were under 18 years old. The average age in the town was 40.5 years.
Geography of Lonaconing
Lonaconing covers a total area of about 0.41 square miles (0.94 square kilometers). All of this area is land.
Schools in Lonaconing
Lonaconing has schools that serve the local students.
Westmar Middle School
Westmar Middle School opened in Lonaconing in 2007. Before that, the building was Westmar High School, which was originally Valley High School. Westmar High School closed in 2007. Its students joined with students from Beall High School to form the new Mountain Ridge High School in Frostburg.
Georges Creek Elementary
Georges Creek Elementary opened in 1975. It combined students from Central School. In 2000, it also combined with Barton Elementary. The school has about 380 students.
Transportation
_at_Union_Street_in_Lonaconing,_Allegany_County,_Maryland.jpg)
The main way to travel to and from Lonaconing is by road. Maryland Route 36 is the most important highway in town. It is also known as Main Street. MD 36 goes north towards Frostburg and Interstate 68. To the south, it ends at the town of Westernport.
Notable Person
- Robert Moses (Lefty) Grove (1900-1975), a professional baseball pitcher and member of the National Baseball Hall of Fame.
See also
In Spanish: Lonaconing (Maryland) para niños
