By Ronda Wertman
tribune correspondent

BLOOMINGTON — The 24 white crosses that line the retaining wall at the base of Backbone Mountain near Bloomington are a memorial to those who have lost their lives and a warning to motorists of how deadly the 90-degree turn can be.
The weathered wall lies at the base of what is known as “Cemetery Hill.”  Each cross marks a life lost accompanied by tragic stories that have been handed down through generations.
The wall was constructed in 1956 and by 1965 there were five fatalities at the base of Maryland’s highest mountain.
Over the years, the fatalities continued, prompting citizens to take action. Since that time there have been continued improvements in reducing the speed, adding signage, and the construction of an escape ramp to help protect the over 3,500 motorists that travel the stretch of Route 135 daily.
Members of the Westernport Heritage Society have taken on the project of keeping up the memorial.
Every other Memorial Day members refresh the paint on the crosses and hope that no more are added. Members say they would much rather have memories stored in their Maryland Avenue Museum in Westernport than as a cross on the wall.