Finding clues from the past that give us a glimpse into the places and lives of Marylanders who came before us
In August 1912, Frank O’Rourke was driving a Salvation Army wagon filled with old newspapers on Ostend Street in Baltimore when he heard people shouting “Fire!” He didn’t think much of it. And he didn’t pay much mind when “[s]ome one ran to the corner and turned in the alarm.” Little did he know what... Continue Reading →
In 1850 Baltimore, a clever thief figured out a way to gain entrance to a home. It happened one evening in November when “a lad, of rather respectable appearance, rang for entrance” at Mr. Courtney’s home on Saratoga Street in Baltimore and claimed that a “mischievous person had thrown his cap in the second story,... Continue Reading →
Another Labor Day is upon us, marking the unofficial end to summer. In September 1900, The Baltimore Sun ran a piece on the value of Labor Day. Obviously, times have changed, but much of the sentiment still holds true today: "We are essentially a working people -- every week day in the year, with a... Continue Reading →
In anticipation of the partial solar eclipse in our area tomorrow, here's a look back on the partial eclipse that took place in Baltimore in 1892: “Science has relieved us of the feeling that it is our duty, with the aid of tin pans or human sacrifices, to help the sun out of its trouble.... Continue Reading →
On July 4, 1915, The Baltimore Sun ran a piece from the general committee of the Safe and Sane Celebration of the Fourth. Signed by chairman Bushrod M. Watts and secretary John Daniels, it encouraged folks to “display the American flag and colors as fully and effectively as possible” on Sunday, July 4 and Monday,... Continue Reading →
On Valentine’s Day, 1901, The Baltimore Sun reported a crime involving the theft of a silk dress — Mrs. Baker’s dress, to be precise. The day before, the alleged perpetrator was found in Mrs. Henrietta Trippe’s boarding house at 529 North Charles Street. He was described as “[a] strange man, rather poorly dressed and with... Continue Reading →
The bright sun and mild temperatures offered us a glimpse of spring this past weekend, just as Marylanders observing Washington’s birthday 139 years ago experienced “unseasonably warm” weather. The weather that day, February 22, 1878, was described as “unpropitious for holiday enjoyments,” as the “oppressive” temperature reached a high of 63 degrees with showers, “...... Continue Reading →
A variety of opportunities could be found by women perusing the Baltimore Sun’s Help Wanted ads in September 1912. From feather making to factory work to traveling the world, some of these positions had height requirements, age requirements, even religious requirements: LADY TRAVELING COMPANION, over 25, for foreign countries, by invalid gentleman; some nursing experience... Continue Reading →
In 1865, January 1 fell on a Sunday, as it will for us in a few short days. The following day, The Baltimore Sun reported on the holiday, its evolving traditions and the anticipation of a better year than the one that had just passed. The sentiment below seems as relevant today as it was... Continue Reading →
“A little boy in a spirit of repentance sends this letter to The Sun: ‘Dear Santa Claus: I am very sorry that I ever said I did not believe in you. Forgive me this time and I will never say it again. Yours lovingly, G.K.’” Source: Baltimore Sun, December 23, 1893
Bygone Maryland 