Finding clues from the past that give us a glimpse into the places and lives of Marylanders who came before us
Happy New Year’s Eve! A 1902 editorial in the The News (Frederick County) outlined the promise of a new year—and is still very fitting more than 115 years later: “...Along with evils and misfortunes there will be much good, and many manifestations of the spirit of generosity and humanitarianism which, happily, is growing in strength... Continue Reading →
For me, it’s so interesting to see what presents children wanted from Santa in years past. This time, we go back more than 100 years to 1915 Frederick County to read letters for Santa printed in The News: "Dear Old Santa Claus: I have been a good little boy all summer and I think I... Continue Reading →
With a touch of autumn now in the air—and perhaps our hot and humid days finally behind us—it’s time to look forward to the beautiful fall foliage that graces our area. However, in 1899, Frederick area farmers looked forward to these fall leaves for a slightly different reason. They used it as bedding for their animals.... Continue Reading →
The following incidents reported in the late 1880s and 1890s show us how life can change in an instant: A Fork in the Eye In 1897, Mrs. Hobbs, the wife of farmer Wm. M. Hobbs living near Sykesville (Carroll County), lost an eye after attempting to untie a knot. “She was trying to untie a... Continue Reading →
I had the pleasure of accompanying my daughter on a field trip to Rose Hill Manor in Frederick last week. My husband and I each had fuzzy memories of being served mint tea and some sort of cracker when we had visited Gov. Thomas Johnson's retirement home during our own elementary school field trip days... Continue Reading →
Though time and weather has faded it, the painted advertisement on the side of the building on East Fourth Street in Frederick is mostly still legible, identifying the former establishment: Lewis M. Kintz Groceries & Provisions. Underneath is a bit more difficult to read and has been marred by graffiti, but appears to be an... Continue Reading →
In a piece called “Cupid’s Missives” in The News (Frederick) the day after Valentine’s Day 1887, observations about the growing holiday were made, including the type of valentines that were being purchased: “In consequence of the scope and character of the day, the mails at our postoffice [sic] yesterday were unusually heavy. The stationers report the sales... Continue Reading →
The 1920 U.S. Census marked the 14th one taken since 1790. Every 10 years, folks were asked a variety of questions about their lives. Those questions transformed through the years; some census years recorded where a person’s parents were born, if the individual was a veteran, married or could read or write, and even the... Continue Reading →
In February 1887, someone entered Robert Klotz’s property on East Third Street in Frederick in an attempt to rob the chicken coop in his yard, reported The News. Much to the disappointment of the intruder, the coop was empty. Klotz was the proprietor of the Court Restaurant on the corner of Market and Church streets... Continue Reading →
Of all the ailments I see in old newspapers, tapeworm is one that has creeped me out the most. Just the thought of it slinking around inside the human body gives me goosebumps. Share in my misery: Described as “a delicate operation,” in January 1887, George Gittinger had 60 feet of tapeworm removed by Dr.... Continue Reading →
Bygone Maryland 