Finding clues from the past that give us a glimpse into the places and lives of Marylanders who came before us
The former Saltz Furniture Store building in Crisfield (Somerset County) not only had the distinction of featuring architectural details unique to the area, but the distinction of narrowly escaping ruin in 1928. The faded paint can still easily be read on the side of the building, once identifying the establishment to shoppers. According to the... Continue Reading →
In the spring and summer of 1883, happenings from around the state included two accidents and a “devilish” act of animal cruelty: ‘Not a Suicidal Leap’ The June 2, 1883 Denton Journal reported that Miss Bertha Gebhardt did not commit suicide “by leaping from her bed room window” in Baltimore; instead, she fell out the... Continue Reading →
The Coca-Cola Bottling Plant in Frederick operated in its North Market Street location for more than 60 years before permanently closing in 2008. Built in the late ’40s, the plant moved from another location in town where it had been since the 1920s “on the north bank of Carroll Creek” on East Patrick Street, according... Continue Reading →
My mother has always been afraid of bridges. I’m not sure how or why it started, but, for as long as I can remember, the closer we would get to the William Preston Lane Jr. Memorial Bridge, known simply around here as the Bay Bridge, she'd start to get tense. Of course, my father didn’t... Continue Reading →
The Bay Bridge is one of the most easily recognized landmarks in all of Maryland. Officially known as the William Preston Lane Jr. Memorial Bridge, named after the governor who started the endeavor, the bridge changed the way of life for many Marylanders when it opened in July 1952. Prior to that, the only way... Continue Reading →
Straw Hat Day was an unofficial holiday across the nation each May signaling the start of spring. This was the day when men would switch from wearing their felt hats to straw hats in anticipation of the warmer weather. Though basically unheard of today, Straw Hat Day advertisements and articles could be found in newspapers... Continue Reading →
On Mother's Day, we honor our mothers for all they have done for us. But this is nothing new. More than 100 years ago, an article in a Cumberland newspaper shared poignant thoughts about mothers, reminding readers to remember their mothers, living or deceased: “To recall the memories of the mothers that are gone and... Continue Reading →
It was the second-oldest railroad in the United States. It was one of the coveted railroads featured on the iconic Monopoly game board, and it got its start in Baltimore. Of course it’s the Baltimore & Ohio (B&O) Railroad.
I find it fascinating to look through old newspapers to see what kind of news was important to the communities at that time. Although we’re used to being able to get our news whenever we want it today, for the Marylanders who came before us, newspapers were sometimes the only means of getting widespread news... Continue Reading →
One day in February 1891, a box with a human ear showed up on a street in the village of Unionville (Frederick County). According to a newspaper report, thoughts and fears instantly turned to murder, like a Jack the Ripper-type killer on the loose in the little settlement, located halfway between Westminster and Frederick. Luckily,... Continue Reading →
Bygone Maryland 