The state highway was designated when MD 36 moved to a new alignment between the two communities in the early 1970s.

The state highway passes through the small communities of Ocean, Klondike, Woodland, and Borden Shaft, where the railway reaches its northern terminus.

The state highway veers back north as it ascends a hill through a densely populated residential area to its northern terminus at US 40 Alternate and MD 36 (Main Street).

A new highway was constructed for MD 36 from Vale Summit to the eastern end of Frostburg, including the interchange with I-68.

[6] MD 936 originally included Broadway Street west from its current southern terminus in Midland.