Finding clues from the past that give us a glimpse into the places and lives of Marylanders who came before us
I love the detailed newspaper weather reports of yesteryear! Let’s all be glad that our St. Patrick’s Day weather forecast is not like what Baltimoreans experienced on March 17, 1845, as reported by the Baltimore Sun: “First came a regular snow storm, each flake as big as a dollar — then came a disagreeable rain... 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 →
Mrs. Mary Koerner received quite a surprise when she entered her Highlandtown saloon one late March morning in 1911. ‘...[S]he was greeted with a veritable ocean of beer flowing over the floor. Floating on it were cigars, some whole, some stumps and some that were ‘entirely too young to be left to drown,’” reported The... 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 ads were placed in newspapers in the Midwest, enticing those unlucky in love: “Parted friends, sweethearts, husbands, or wives brought together, either sex; everything strictly confidential. Send stamp. F. M. Brown, Smithsburg, Md.” “Friendship or love easily won or regained, 10 cents. F. M. Brown, Smithsburg, Md.” But these promises to the lovelorn were... Continue Reading →
In January 1902, a Washington County judge ordered a unique punishment for a man convicted of carrying concealed weapons. The man, George W. Oroby, was described by The News as “an aged resident of Williamsport.” Judge Stake presided over the sentencing of Oroby. Stake said that he’d known Oroby all his life, “...that he was... Continue Reading →
A century ago, Maryland was going through a severe cold snap. Sound familiar? Because of the weather conditions in Oxford (Talbot County), it only took one afternoon for the Tred Avon River to freeze, a feat that typically takes several nights, according to a 1918 Baltimore Sun article. The frozen river provided many opportunities for... Continue Reading →
In 1898 Baltimore, hotelkeeper J.L. Boswell had a unique way of settling a debt with a man who wouldn’t pay. Boswell caused a scene on the corner of Lexington and Calvert streets, according to The Baltimore Sun, after a conversation with a man who owed him money took a turn. “The men were seen to... Continue Reading →
In January 1903, a pair of police officers in Baltimore drew a morbid crowd of followers as they carried arms and legs through the streets to the police station. Patrolman Kaufman carried two legs under his arm while Patrolman Batzer carried a tin bucket with a hand and arm sticking out of it. “Supposing that... 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 →
Bygone Maryland 