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Brant
Mine
at
Deep Creek Lake State Park
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Hidden
away in Maryland’s most western region is Garrett County’s
Deep Creek Lake — the largest manmade lake in the state.
It is unique because of its mountain setting and it attracts
many visitors and vacationers throughout the year. If we stop
and peer through “that window to the past,” before
the creation of Deep Creek Lake, there is another story to tell.
East of Deep Creek Lake, on the northwest slope of Meadow Mountain,
lies a mining site that probably started as a dream of two local
pioneers: Delphia Brant and George Beckman. The time was in
the early 1920’s when Deep Creek Lake was still in its
planning stages. Delphia Brant purchased 40 acres on Meadow
Mountain where he speculated there was coal. According to his
son John he could look at the ground and tell if there was coal
to be dug. Delphia and George, being great friends, put their
skills, determination and instincts together to turn a profit
at coal mining.
By 1923, Delphia built a six room homestead below the mine.
His son recalls growing sweet potatoes and buckwheat as a youngster.
He also remembered the sweet smell of roses, fragrant mock orange
bushes and the scent of apple blossoms from trees grown with
the seeds of an eaten apple.
George Beckman was a farmer and blacksmith who, at the time,
was considered to be one of the best “smiths” in the
state. With his skills in smithing, George would be a much needed
partner in this joint venture. Tools were an essential ingredient
to the miner and their upkeep would be in his capable hands.
Together, Delphia and George began working the mine. The mine
held a two foot vein of bituminous coal, the majority of which
remains within the mountain today. The coal was considered to
be the quality used to heat homes. During this period, good
house coal sold for about two dollars a ton. Both men worked
a twelve hour day year ’round, but this hard pace, primitive
conditions and the lack of any type of ventilation system, proved
to be a deadly combination. By 1926, both had fallen victim
to silicosis, a chronic lung disease caused by inhalation of
silica dust. After three years working their mine, George died
at the age of 52 in 1926 and Delphia followed him the next year
at the age of 49.
During the years Delphia and George worked the mine, the landscape
around them began to change dramatically. Thousands of trees
were being cut down in the valley of Deep Creek Lake and its
tributaries. Great bonfires of brush were burned, and the logs
were hauled to one of the many sawmills which suddenly appeared.
Over a thousand men were employed on this vast project.
March of 1925 began what many welcomed and others considered
frivolous as the dam was plugged and Deep Creek Lake began.
Delphia and George probably lamented the loss of their beloved
fishing spots, and the 20-22 inch native brookies they caught
regularly. Quickly the water accumulated, due to a snow laden
winter and a wet spring. By May of the same year, the level
was high enough to generate the power but would in fact, take
the balance of the year to fill completely. Delphia and George
were probably still working the mine, and were witness to this
unique creation of man and nature. I’m sure that summer
was long remembered by all who had the opportunity and the time
to watch.
Today you can hike or bike back in time to visit the “Old
Brant Mine,” which has been recently refurbished by Maryland
Department of Natural Resources. Nature Tourism Program, coordinated
by Patricia Manown Mash and staff at Deep Creek Lake State Park
are on hand to further explain details of the mine to hikers,
history lovers and all who take time to explore this unique
heritage destination. One can truly feel appreciation for Delphia,
George and other men who left their mark on this Meadow Mountain
vista.
Mary Jo Hunter, because of her appreciation for Heritage
Tourism has been embracing this “Old Brant Mine” project
and also serves as a member of the Garrett County Heritage Committee
and Literacy Council.
DNR’s Nature Tourism Director in Garrett County:
Patricia Manown Mash
E-mail: pmanownmash@dnr.state.md.us
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