Deep Creek Lake · A family story

A legacy rooted in Deep Creek Lake

For more than a century, my family’s story has been woven into the story of this lake. I’m proud to carry that connection forward as a third-generation Railey Realty agent.

Historic Railey family logging crew outside a building — The family’s logging roots before Deep Creek Lake became a resort destination.

Before the lake became a destination

In the early 1920s, my great-grandfather C.M. Railey helped clear the land that would become Deep Creek Lake. As visitors began discovering the new lake, the family welcomed them with Lakeside Park, Stone Tavern, and a collection of stone cottages. Those cottages were among the area’s earliest commercial vacation rentals.

It was a beginning shaped by hard work, hospitality, and a belief that this place was special. Generations of guests came to know Deep Creek through the places my family built along its shore.

Stone Tavern at Deep Creek Lake around 1960 — Stone Tavern, photographed around 1960.

Vintage brochure advertising Railey’s Cottages — A vintage Railey’s Cottages brochure shows how the family welcomed visitors to the lake.

From welcoming visitors to helping them stay

My grandparents, Sis and Jim Railey, returned to Deep Creek Lake and took over the family’s rental business. As more visitors dreamed of owning a place here, helping people find property became a natural next chapter. They earned their real estate licenses, worked with Heavner Realty, and founded Railey Realty in 1974.

Sis Railey working at her desk — Sis Railey at work in the early office.

The company began in their living room. In 1984, they opened an office on Route 219; in 1997, Railey Realty moved to its current home at 2 Vacation Way. What started as a family business grew alongside the community it served.

Earlier Railey Realty office building — An earlier Railey Realty office, before the move to 2 Vacation Way.

The next generation

My father, Jimmy Railey, and the Railey Realty partners helped lead and grow the company while keeping its roots firmly in Garrett County. Their work built on the trust Sis and Jim established and the family’s long connection to the lake.

Jimmy Railey working in the Railey Realty office — Jimmy Railey in the office, carrying the family business into its next generation.

I grew up here, spending summers on the water and winters at Wisp. Today my husband and I are raising our children in the same community. Before returning to real estate full-time, I spent more than 15 years building Railey Design, helping people see what a home could become. That experience still shapes the way I prepare and present properties for my clients.

The names and buildings have changed over the years, but the heart of the story remains the same: helping people make a lasting connection with Deep Creek Lake.

As a third-generation agent, I’m grateful to share both my family’s history and the local knowledge that comes from living it. Whether you’re discovering the lake for the first time or have loved it for years, I’d be honored to help you find your place here.

Meet Jessie Railey