the late 1960s improved connections to outside regions including the Baltimore/Washington metropolitan area to the east, Harrisburg to the northeast, and Pittsburgh to the northwest. Electric trolleys Electric Trolleys experienced rapid expansion in the Cumberland Region starting in 1891 with the inauguration of the Cumberland Electric Railway. The railway initially transported passengers along North Centre Street to Narrows Park for a fare of five cents. The company later expanded its business by building a recreational complex on of land in an area formerly known as Seiss’ Picnic Grove, at the western end of the Cumberland Narrows near the present day Starlight Skating Rink. The Park included a soda fountain, dance and roller skating pavilion, and bandstand. In 1914, Kirkstetler Amusement leased the park to build an amusement park, that included a roller coaster, a merry-go-round, and a miniature railroad ride. In summer evenings the park was patronized by large crowds, and the trolley company expanded to meet the demand by adding extra, open sided cars to handle the traffic. 1891-1924 Cumberland Electric Railway 1924-1932 Potomac Edison Co. (American Water Works & Electric Co.) 1893-???? Lonaconing and Cumberland Electric Railway ????-???? Frostburg, Eckhart, and Cumberland Railway ????-???? Lonaconing, Midland and Frostburg Railway ????-???? Westernport and Lonaconing Railway Company 1906-1932 Cumberland and Westernport Electric Railway The C&WE trolley system consolidated the regional trolley lines of Lonaconing, Midland, Frostburg, Westernport, and Lonaconing into one system with nearly of track, running from Cumberland to Frostburg and then down to the valley to Westernport linking together the largest far western population centers 1932 - streetcars discontinued in Cumberland Brewing industry Breweries existed in Cumberland as early as 1852. Bartholomew Himmler established a brewery, about 1852, on Knox and Hays Streets. The brewery was often called "Bartle's Brewery", short for Bartholomew. The Cumberland Brewing Company (1890–1958) which operated on North Centre Street produced Old Export Beer and Gamecock Ale. The Cumberland Brewing Company was the oldest major brewery that operated in Cumberland, and was purchased by Queen City Brewing Company in 1958. It was the last surviving brewery in Cumberland before it closed its doors in 1976. The Queen City Brewing Company, aka German Brewing Company, (1901–1974) which operated on Market Street, produced Old German Beer Premium Lager. In the 1970s Pittsburgh Brewing Company acquired the Queen City Brewing Company. At its peak, the Queen City brewery produced over 250,000 barrels of beer and ale a