The Casper R. Taylor Collection contains documents, photographs, and memorabilia of his work as Delegate to the Maryland General Assembly (1974-2003) and Speaker of the House of Delegates (1994 to 2003). The collection documents many of Taylor’s initiatives to promote the western Maryland region and to create economic opportunities, develop infrastructure, and bolster tourism to this part of the state. Taylor’s “One Maryland” vision during the Parris Glendening administration sought to invest in “economically distressed” regions of the state: western Maryland, Baltimore City, and the Eastern Shore. Documents include Taylor’s legislative files (limited to 1992 and 2001-2002), selected administrative files (1898-2002), research files and reports (1987-2001), fundraising and financial records (1984-2002). Approximately 1,958 photographs illustrate Taylor’s work in the House of Delegates and his previous role as co-manager (later manager) of the Cas Taylors Hall of Fame Restaurant.
The collection also includes photographs and memorabilia (1920-1981) from the Cas Taylor Hall of Fame Restaurant in Cumberland, MD, founded by Casper R. Taylor, Sr. The restaurant housed the Cumberland Hall of Fame, honoring local and regional athletes, and was the home of the Dapper Dan Club.
Casper R. Taylor, Jr. (1934-2023)
Delegate to the Maryland General Assembly 1974-2003
Speaker of the Maryland House of Delegates 1994-2003
Taylor, a Democrat, was first elected to the Maryland House of Delegates in 1974, where he served until January 8, 2003. Over the course of his career, he chaired or co-chaired important committees working on legislative policy, economic development, and public health.
Most notably, he served as Speaker of the House from 1994 to 2003. In that position, he was able to use his voice and influence to bring attention and funding to economically distressed areas of Maryland, particularly Western Maryland. He sponsored a range of bills and championed projects which improved access to the rural mountains, encouraging tourism and economic development. One such project was the Rocky Gap Music Festival, which hosted top bluegrass and country talent and attracted thousands of visitors.
Taylor was instrumental in helping to create, fund, and/or complete many significant infrastructure projects: for example, Interstate 68, the Rocky Gap State Park Lodge and Jack Nicholas Signature Golf Course, Canal Place and the Canal Parkway, Western Maryland Scenic Railroad, the AES Warrior Run Electric Co-Generation Facility, and the federal (FCI Cumberland) and state (North Branch Correctional Institute) prisons in Cumberland.
Born in Cumberland, Taylor graduated from La Salle High school in 1952. He studied political science at Notre Dame University, graduating in 1956. With his father Cas Taylor, Sr., he owned and operated the Cas Taylor Restaurant in Cumberland until his political career took off.
He married Mary Lenore “Polly” Young in 1956. They had two sons, Dane E. and Brendan B. Taylor. Polly Taylor died on May 7, 2021 following a car accident. Casper Taylor died April 24, 2023. In his honor, Maryland Governor Wes Moore ordered flags across the state flown at half-mast.