Finding clues from the past that give us a glimpse into the places and lives of Marylanders who came before us
Early this morning, Maryland and most of the nation turned its clocks back one hour as daylight saving time ended. The act of switching from standard time to daylight saving time was formally introduced in 1918, according to the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) website. But some areas in the country — and... Continue Reading →
The folks in the 1800s used the newspaper as one way to communicate about lost belongings, with notices looking for items ranging from lace veils to spectacles to animals. Check out a few below: A Happy Reunion Mrs. Flossy DeGrange lost her canary, “bright with top-knot on head and black tip on wings” and placed a... Continue Reading →
Today, we generally think of flies as more of a nuisance than a health hazard. But in the early 20th century, flies spreading typhoid, cholera, tuberculosis and other diseases was a true public safety concern. In 1912, government officials encouraged farmers to keep stables clean, use screens in doors and windows and fly-catching devices to protect... Continue Reading →
Hot. Humid. Sticky. Miserable. If you’re like me, you’re not a fan of Maryland’s oppressive heat. Ads and information in local papers had remedies and recommendations for dealing with Maryland summers: The Heat Does All This? We're In Trouble The medicine advertised in the August 25, 1880 Herald and Torch Light (Hagerstown) claimed to cure a... Continue Reading →
Summer has been my favorite season for as long as I can remember. Here are five things I love about Maryland summers: The Beach. I’ve been going to Ocean City ever since I can remember. Bayside, oceanside, oceanfront, it doesn’t matter to me. Yes, I’ll admit there were some years that my feet never... Continue Reading →
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 →
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 →
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 →
Bygone Maryland 