In the early 1920's the Eastern Land Corporation purchased land in Garrett County, Maryland for the purpose of power generation. Land was purchased around a major stream and its tributaries called Deep Creek, which flows into the Yougheghieny River above Friendsville, Maryland. A dam was constructed and the reservoir was filled in 1925 to become Deep Creek Lake. The Lake features over 65 miles of shoreline, measuring 17 miles from north to south, with a surface coverage of some 3,900 acres. Garrett County, named for John Garrett, the first President of the Western Maryland Railroad, lies within the highest altitudes of Maryland’s Allegany Mountains. Thus, it enjoys a mild summer climate that generally precludes the need for air conditioning. Year-round recreation is supported by the unique mountain climate that brings beautiful fall days for hunting and sight-seeing, snowy winters for skiing and snowmobiling, fresh springs for trout fishing in the lakes and rivers, and balmy summers for hiking, biking, and outdoor sports on Deep Creek Lake. In the late 1800’s and early 1900’s Presidents and other Washington residents were drawn to Garrett County for a summer playground. They came by train to enjoy the welcome relief from oppressive Lower Potomac heat and humidity.   As the automobile replaced the train for recreational travel, the largest number of visitors to the Lake began to come from Pittsburgh, which is less than two hours drive away.  Today, with the opening of Interstate highways from the East beginning in the 1980’s, the number of visitors and second home owners from the Baltimore and Washington population centers rivals the numbers from all other urban areas. Geography divides the Lake into three distinct parts: the northern and central parts contain the major commercial areas and heaviest developments, being adjacent to the first major roads in the county and the Wisp Resort. By contrast, the southern end of the Lake enjoys the largest open water, with low density residential development mainly along the shorelines. Two private yacht clubs have active sailing programs and there is a lower density of motor boat traffic in the southern end of the Lake compared with the more northerly sections. Limited convenience stores are available at selected free-standing locations in the southern portion of the Lake.