LibGuides: Appalachia and Garrett County, MD History: Famous Visitors

Famous Visitors - The Vagabonds

John Burroughs, Thomas Edison, Henry Ford, and Harvey Firestone

"These wealthy captains of industry called themselves 'vagabonds' as they roughed it together in the great outdoors away from civilization."

The Adventures of the Four Vagabonds
Article written by Bill Ramsey about "The Vagabonds" travels through Western Maryland.
Part 1: Travel Through Allegany County
In the summer of 1921, Thomas Edison, Henry Ford, and Harvey Firestone, camped out at two different locations: Washington County on a 200-acre farm located along Licking Creek, and in Garrett County along Muddy Creek, at present-day Swallow Falls State Park.
Part 2: Promote Outdoor Recreation with a President
During the week of July 21-27, 1921, Thomas Edison, Henry Ford and Harvey Firestone camped at a site about six miles east of Hancock in Washington County. During the weekend, President Warren G. Harding joined the “vagabonds” — the name the wealthy industrialists gave themselves when they camped together.
Part 3: A Memorial Service is Held for John Burroughs at Camp Harding
On Sunday, July 24th, the camping party held a memorial service dedicated to the memory of John Burroughs. This was their first campout without him since he passed earlier in the year.
Part 4: Vagabonds Continue Two Week Camping Trip in Western Maryland
This is the fourth in a series of articles covering a time in the summer of 1921, when Henry Ford, Thomas Edison and Harvey Firestone camped for two weeks in western Maryland. This article finds the Vagabonds, a term the wealthy captains of industry called themselves when camping together, at “Camp Harding” along Licking Creek, about 6 miles east of Hancock, in Washington County, where they stayed from July 21 to July 27. From here they traveled to present day Swallow Falls State Park where they camped from July 27 to July 31.
Part 5: Vagabonds Camp at Muddy Creek Falls
This is the fifth in a series of articles covering a time in the summer of 1921, when Henry Ford, Thomas Edison and Harvey Firestone camped for two weeks in western Maryland. This article finds the vagabonds, a term the wealthy captains of industry called themselves when camping together, at “Camp Harding” along Licking Creek, about 6 miles east of Hancock, in Washington County, where they stayed from July 21 to July 27. From here they traveled to present day Swallow Falls State Park where they camped from July 27 to July 31.
Part 6: Vagabonds Remembered for Work, but Loved Nature
This is the sixth in a series of articles covering a time in the summer of 1921 when Henry Ford, Thomas Edison, and Harvey Firestone camped for two weeks in western Maryland. This article finds the Vagabonds, a term the wealthy captains of industry called themselves when they camped together at “Camp Harding” (along Licking Creek, about six miles east of Hancock, in Washington County) where they stayed from July 21 to July 27, and at present day Swallow Falls State Park, from July 27 to July 31.
Part 7: Vagabonds Remembered for Work, but Loved Nature
This is the seventh in a series of articles covering a time in the summer of 1921 when Henry Ford, Thomas Edison, and Harvey Firestone camped for two weeks in western Maryland. This article finds the Vagabonds, a term the wealthy captains of industry called themselves when they camped together at “Camp Harding” (along Licking Creek, about six miles east of Hancock, in Washington County) where they stayed from July 21 to July 27, and at present day Swallow Falls State Park, from July 27 to July 31.
Part 8: Vagabonds End Their Two-Week Vacation in Western Maryland
This is the last of eight articles covering a time in the summer of 1921 when Henry Ford, Thomas Edison, and Harvey Firestone camped for two weeks in western Maryland. This article finds the Vagabonds, a term the wealthy captains of industry called themselves when they camped together at “Camp Harding” (along Licking Creek, about six miles east of Hancock, in Washington County) where they stayed from July 21 to July 27, and at present day Swallow Falls State Park from July 27 to July 31. Question to Consider (The answer is at the end of the article): What off-Broadway play production, seen at the Cumberland Theater in June 2006, celebrates the Vagabond’s 1921 camping trip in western Maryland?

Thomas Edison and his wife, Mina Miller Edison, share a few contemplative moments along Muddy Creek upstream from the falls.

Famous Visitors - Albert Einstein

Robbie Steiding sits on the lap of Albert Einstein during a 1946 secret visit that Einstein made to Western Maryland. The famous scientist was invited by Robbie’s father, John Steiding of Midland, to vacation at Deep Creek Lake.

He later said that this vacation was “one of the most restful and zestful vacations.” He stated that “here you can get nearer to God.”

Einstein Visits Deep Creek Lake for Secret Vacation
Cumberland Times article that reveals Albert Einstein's secret vacation to Deep Creek Lake in September 1946.

Into the Wild: Edison, Ford & Friends

Famous Visitors - Jonas Salk

Enjoying their quiet, peaceful time at Deep Creek Lake, Jonas teases wife, Donna, prior to the launch of their new rowboat.

The Salk Family at Deep Creek Lake
Article by Mary Reisinger that depicts Dr. Jonas Salk, who developed the first safe and effective vaccine for polio, and the family vacations he spent at Deep Creek Lake from 1957-1962.