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Kevin Earl Dayhoff Art One-half Banana Stems
Kevin Earl Dayhoff Art One-half Banana Stems - www.kevindayhoff.com Address: PO Box 124, Westminster MD 21158 410-259-6403 kevindayhoff@gmail.com Runner, writer, artist, fire & police chaplain Mindless ramblings of a runner, journalist & artist: Travel, art, artists, authors, books, newspapers, media, writers and writing, journalists and journalism, reporters and reporting, technology, music, culture, opera... National & International politics www.kevindayhoff.net For community: www.kevindayhoff.org For art, technology, writing, & travel: www.kevindayhoff.com
Monday, January 30, 2012
Basketball history from 1923, Carroll Regional Airport and recollections of the 1963 March on Washington and more in the Carroll Eagle
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Monday, April 12, 2010
DAYHOFF: Plenty of ways over the years to have a hot time in Westminster
Eagle Archives By Kevin Dayhoff Posted 4/11/10
History, the Westminster recreation problem, log rolling, and burning motorcycles.
http://www.explorecarroll.com/community/4205/plenty-ways-over-years-have-hot-time-westminster/ (Enlarge)
http://kevindayhoff.blogspot.com/2010/04/dayhoff-plenty-of-ways-over-years-to.html
Parades, log rollings, and a motorcycle fire provided entertainment for Carroll County years ago.
On April 11, 1887, the city of Westminster was the scene of parades, poetry, pomp and circumstance as the 50th anniversary of the founding of Carroll County was celebrated.
Thanks to the research of Mary Ann Ashcraft for the Historical Society of Carroll, we are aware of many of the details of that day.
Ashcraft calls to our attention that the April 12, 1887, Baltimore Sun reported, "Probably 25,000 people participated in the celebration, and everything passed off pleasantly and with good order. From all parts of the county large cavalcades of horsemen moved on the town and participated in the parade."
Consider that 25,000 is a lot of people if you consider the population of Westminster was only about 3,000.
Read the entire column here: http://www.explorecarroll.com/community/4205/plenty-ways-over-years-have-hot-time-westminster/
20100411 SCE Plenty of ways to have a hot time in Wster sceked Labels: Dayhoff Media Explore Carroll, History 1880s, History 1920s, History Westminster 1880s, History Westminster 1920s
History of Grace Evangelical Lutheran Church, Carroll Street, of the City of Westminster, MD., from 1868 to 1894: With some account of earlier efforts ... congregations and charges in Carroll Co., Md
Sunday, August 09, 2009
Westminster High School in the 1920s
Westminster High School, Westminster, MD, in the 1920s
http://kevindayhoff.blogspot.com/2009/08/westminster-high-school-in-1920s.html
http://tinyurl.com/kmgez3
Catching with some old friends today, coupled with some recent reader questions, reminded me of a piece I wrote in March 2007 on the Westminster High School building on Longwell Avenue in Westminster.
The image above is from 1908, is the first Westminster High School building, 1898-1936, at Center and Green Street in Westminster, MD. Click here for a larger image: http://twitpic.com/d936f
This image is a 1977 picture of the second Westminster High School building, 1936-1971, at Longwell Avenue in Westminster, MD. Click here for a larger image: http://twitpic.com/d92z2
Westminster High School in the 1920s
March 28th, 2007 by (c) Kevin Dayhoff
East Middle School, located on Longwell Avenues just north of Westminster City Hall, originally opened as a new “Westminster High School” on November 30, 1936. It is one of two buildings in Carroll County built in the Art Deco style. The other is the Carroll Arts Center which opened as the Carroll Theatre on November 25, 1937.
Art Deco was all the rage from 1920 to 1940 but some argue that the style had a significant presence in architecture and art from 1900 to 1950. A highly decorative and elegant style, it was considered ultra-modern in its day.
The 1936 school building was not the “first” Westminster High School. The first was located at the corner of Green and Center Streets in Westminster and was built in 1898. By all accounts it was the first “public” high school built in Carroll County. It is accepted that the first “public” high school in Maryland started in Talbot County in 1871. By 1907 there were still only 35 public high schools in the entire state.
It was not too long after the 1898 structure was built that complaints began about the inadequacy of the physical plant. As with so many infrastructure improvements in Carroll County, getting a new high school built was fraught with a great deal of acrimony and dissent. In 1921, the Westminster High School yearbook, “The Mirror,” editorialized the increase in enrollment since 1898 with alarm. It had increased from “less than fifty” to over 260 students.
In those days the school housed all 11 grades. There were 7 students in the graduating class of May 1900. Compulsory school attendance was not passed into law until 1916; however, Lisa Kronman reported in an account entitled a “History of Public Schools in Westminster,” “the attendance rate was 93.8 percent of school age children.”
The Mirror lamented “we have seen the school out-grow its surroundings. The present building and equipment are entirely inadequate to the needs of the school…” The editorial explained dire consequences would result if the school were not replaced quickly. Of course, “quickly” in Carroll County took another 15 years.
According to historian Jay Graybeal, there were 139 schools in Carroll County in 1920. 107 had only one teacher. There were approximately 7500 students and 208 teachers. 158 of the teachers were female and only 9 were married as marriage was strongly discouraged for the county’s female teachers. As a matter of fact, a resolution, passed by the school board in the 1928 – 1929 school year, barred female teachers from getting married unless a special exception was granted.
Mr. Graybeal explained that high school teachers were paid an average $903.70 and “elementary teachers in white and black schools had average salaries of $537.85 and $431.87 respectively… Teachers who had served twenty-five years, reached the age of sixty, were no longer able to continue their duties in the schoolroom, and had no other means of comfortable support received $200 per annum” from a state financed pension system.
In 1920, the Carroll County public school budget was $204,000 and the school administration was a staff of four; Superintendent Maurice S. H. Unger, Miss L. Jewell Simpson, Supervisor; G. C. Taylor, Attendance Officer and Charles Reed, Clerk. In 1916, the state board of education was run by three individuals.
The Union Bridge Pilot reported on February 18, 1921: “Teachers' pay are being withheld owing in lack of funds and it appears the county has reached the limit of its credit.”
It is in this air, atmosphere, and environment that the county unsuccessfully tried three times, May 15th, 1922, September 26, 1927, and April 3, 1934, to get the voters to approve bond bills for roads and schools – to include a new Westminster High School.
E-mail him at: kevindayhoff AT gmail DOT com r visit him at http://www.westminstermarylandonline.net/
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http://twitpic.com/d936f 1st Westminster High Sch bldg 1898-1936 Full story: http://tinyurl.com/kmgez3
20090808 sdsom
Sunday, July 12, 2009
When city got 'sole' in the 1920s, it was cause for a celebration
(The long – unedited version of the column) Published June 14, 2009 by Carroll Eagle
A Carroll County cause for celebration in the perilous 1920s
A May 29, 1925 Westminster newspaper described in great detail a huge parade and a daylong celebration to mark the occasion of the opening of the Newark Shoe Factory plant on East Green Street, “an enterprise that is running in full blast and employees over 200 men, women and boys…”
Attracting jobs and economic development in 1925 was considered critical to the future of Westminster and Carroll County. Commuting out of the county for meaningful employment was not a viable option.
Carol Lee observed in her book on the history of agriculture in Carroll County, “Legacy of the Land:” “During World War 1, Carroll County had only 69 miles of paved roads, by 1935 it had 240 miles…”
After the First World War ended, agriculture commodity prices plummeted in the county and Lee reports that “Throughout the 1920s, agriculture got into an increasingly perilous condition.”
The economic decline of the business of agriculture had a far-reaching impact on all businesses in the county. Younger citizens simply moved-out of the county to find work. Not only was the local economy in bad shape, but now the exodus of the younger generation caused social and cultural turmoil to add insult to injury.
It was with this context that one may understand that the opening of a shoe factory in Westminster was greeted with celebration. The now out-of-print Democratic Advocate newspaper described that the “crowd resembled a gathering for a circus that came to witness the parade and visit the Shoe factory…
“The celebration closed with a meeting in the Firemen's hall at 8 p.m., when addresses were made by Congressman Millard E. Tydings, Mayor Howard E. Koontz, Senator Daniel J. Hesson, Guy W. Steele and Dwight M. Burroughs, president of the Better Business Bureau of Baltimore and publicity manager of the United Railways of Baltimore...”
Jamie Wehler recently wrote to me that as a result of her research into the opening of the shoe factory, she was proud to see that the Westminster (Municipal) Band took part in the parade.
The newspaper article also noted that other participants in the parade included: “R. O. T. C. Western Maryland College, Mayor Koontz, Common Council, Officials of Chamber Of Commerce, School Children, Boy Scouts, Union Bridge Fire Company, Taneytown Fire Company, Westminster Fire Company…”
Meanwhile at the other end of Westminster, last week’s Carroll Eagle history trivia question was: “What was the name of the shoe factory at the far end of Pennsylvania Avenue near Vetville? Or, who can tell me the name of the car dealership and garage at 56 Pennsylvania Avenue?”
To my surprise many folks knew the answers. Among the readers that responded was this week’s winner of the Carroll Eagle mug, Gertrude Robertson, who wrote that she once worked in the office at the Kessler Shoe Factory.
Wayne Wrightson wrote from WTTR that “My fiancĂ©e’s father Bill Kuhn, a Westminster native of 84+ years seems to remember the shoe factory by Vetville was Kessler's Shoes… This man has an amazing memory for any age.
After a break from the Westminster world of the 1920s, we will go over the many other reader responses about the shoe factories and Wilson’s Garage, the “Willys-Overland” dealership on Pennsylvania Avenue – in a future column.
We will resume the history trivia quiz next Sunday. Meanwhile, please remember that today is Flag Day. It is always heartwarming to see so many flags proudly displayed throughout the county.
------
For other recent columns in Explore Carroll by Kevin Dayhoff:
Bringing Corbit's Charge, and Douglass, back to Westminster
Published July 5, 2009 by Carroll Eagle http://tinyurl.com/mxbkjp
http://explorecarroll.com/community/3099/bringing-corbits-charge-douglass-back-westminster/
DAYHOFF: Margaret Mitchell wrote what she knew; the rest is gone with the wind
Published July 2, 2009 by Westminster Eagle
... And that is all I know for right now. Hope you and your family have a great Fourth of July weekend. Kevin Dayhoff writes from Westminster. …visit him at http://www.westminstermarylandonline.net/....
Westminster was all abuzz for the great fly roundup of 1914
Published June 28, 2009 by Carroll Eagle
... reminds me that it was Groucho Marx who once said, "Time flies like an arrow; fruit flies like a banana." When he is not swatting flies, Kevin Dayhoff may be reached at … or visit him at http://www.westminstermarylandonline.net/....
DAYHOFF: Hoffa Field and the Sheathing of the Sword
Published June 23, 2009 by Carroll Eagle, Westminster Eagle
... . Lightner and the June 1922 American Sentinel newspaper article have left us with an extensive and fascinating account of the “The Sheathing of the Sword.” … visit him at http://www.westminstermarylandonline.net/....
'Year without summer' killed crops ... and created a monster
Published June 21, 2009 by Carroll Eagle, Westminster Eagle
... village folk that it's not a bad idea to keep a torch handy on these cool summer nights. When he is not playing with laboratory-harnessed lightning, Kevin Dayhoff may be reached at … or visit him at www.westminstermarylandonline.net. ...
Historic Blue Ridge College bell dedicated In Union Bridge
Published June 20, 2009 by Westminster Eagle
UNION BRIDGE — Several hundred folks braved threatening weather June 20 to witness the unveiling and dedication of the historic 1900 Blue Ridge College bell in Lehigh Square, the original site of the college which had thrived in Union Bridge from 1898 to ... ...
When city got 'sole' in the 1920s, it was cause for a celebration
Published June 14, 2009 by Carroll Eagle
... be the guest speaker. There will be a retirement ceremony for worn flags. Guests may bring old flags for retirement. When he is not waving the flag, Kevin Dayhoff may be reached at… or visit him at http://www.westminstermarylandonline.net/....
Remember when you could walk to work in Westminster?
Published June 7, 2009 by Carroll Eagle
... . When he's not on a "walk-about" in Westminster, Kevin Dayhoff may be reached …
Company H: from the Frizellburg greenhouses to the sands of Omaha Beach
Published June 3, 2009 by Westminster Eagle
… (have) come a long way from the old parade field in Frizellburg.” Kevin Dayhoff writes from Westminster.
Dayhoff: New councilmember tackles alleged hit and run driver
Published June 1, 2009 by Westminster Eagle, Carroll Eagle
... Westminster city police arrived and took control of the situation The accident is under investigation. All in a day’s work. Kevin Dayhoff writes from Westminster.
20090705 sdosm Recent columns in Explore Carroll by Kevin Dayhoff
20090614 sdosm KED SCE A CC cause for celebration 1920s
History of McDaniel's Hoffa Field - The Raven's summer practice field
Published June 23, 2009 by Carroll Eagle, Westminster Eagle
The dedication of Hoffa Field and the Sheathing of the Sword at McDaniel College in June 1922
On Saturday, June 10, 1922, the formal dedication of the Hoffa athletic field took place on the campus of Western Maryland College - now McDaniel College.
Of course, many know the field as where the Baltimore Ravens hold their summer practices.
Others know the field for the great tradition of tailgating at McDaniel football games. The running track, which circles the field, is always a favorite spot for health conscious walkers and runners.
Today McDaniel College is accepted as presiding prominently in the center, more or less, of Westminster. However, this was not the case until around the 1970s when housing developments began to grow to the west of the campus.
In 1922, the campus was on the outer western edge of Westminster on the brink of a frontier of forest and farmland that stretched for ten miles until one arrived in Taneytown.
According to a definitive history of the college, “Fearless and Bold,” published just recently by Dr. James E. Lightner; the Geiman property, a 65-acre farm contiguously situated to the west of the campus became available to the college, in 1920, upon the death of W. H. Geiman.
As an aside, for anyone who is even remotely interested in the social, economic, political, or academic history of Westminster, McDaniel College, and Carroll County, “Fearless and Bold” is a must addition for your library.
Those of us, who were aware that Dr. Lightner was laboring to write the book, were very eager to lay our hands on a copy after it was printed in 2007.
We were not disappointed. Do not be put off by its sheer volume. At 713 pages, it can easily intimidate. However, it is well segmented. One may open the book to any page and find that Dr. Lightner packs facts together, in an easily read and engaging conversational approach that makes the book quite hard to put down.
It is a spellbinding story of intrigue and success against all odds; that will captivate even the reader who is not easily drawn to tomes of history.
It is chapter six that Dr. Lightner writes that the trustees of the college, “were always alert to possible campus expansion…”
After the death of Mr. Geiman, the property “suddenly came on the market, and the board authorized (college president Thomas Hamilton) Lewis to purchase it for $26,201…
“It was formally deeded on March 31, 1920, using endowment funds. The purchase agreement allowed Charles Geiman to lease back part of the farm, while a portion would be used for new athletic fields.
“At the June meeting (of the board of trustees,) the alumni visitors to the board stressed the urgent need for improving the fields, and the Buildings and Grounds Committee was empowered to act.”
And “act” they did. In the following chapter, Dr. Lightner reports that “on Saturday, June 10, a warm and sunny day, the formal dedication of the Hoffa Field was held before an audience of 5,000.”
The dedication was followed by the “presentation of ‘The Sheathing of the Sword: A Pageant of Peace,’” according to another local historian, Jay Graybeal.
Fortunately, in the late 1990s, Graybeal reprinted a June 16, 1922 front-page article which appeared in the now out-of-print American Sentinel newspaper. According to his introduction: “The community event (which followed the dedication) was written by Miss Dorothy Elderdice of Westminster. Her introduction provides an overview of her production:
“‘In The Sheathing of the Sword, I have endeavored to select from the different ages a few significant historical episodes that lend themselves to pageantry. Peace in panoply has been my quest---Peace heralded by song, attended by art, crowned by humanity.’”
This is where we will pick up the story in a future column. We are fortunate that Dr. Lightner and the June 1922 American Sentinel newspaper article have left us with an extensive and fascinating account of the “The Sheathing of the Sword.”
Kevin Dayhoff may reached at kevindayhoff AT gmail.com or visit him at http://www.westminstermarylandonline.net/
For other recent columns in Explore Carroll by Kevin Dayhoff:
Bringing Corbit's Charge, and Douglass, back to Westminster
Published July 5, 2009 by Carroll Eagle http://tinyurl.com/mxbkjp
http://explorecarroll.com/community/3099/bringing-corbits-charge-douglass-back-westminster/
DAYHOFF: Margaret Mitchell wrote what she knew; the rest is gone with the wind
Published July 2, 2009 by Westminster Eagle
... And that is all I know for right now. Hope you and your family have a great Fourth of July weekend. Kevin Dayhoff writes from Westminster. …visit him at http://www.westminstermarylandonline.net/....
Westminster was all abuzz for the great fly roundup of 1914
Published June 28, 2009 by Carroll Eagle
... reminds me that it was Groucho Marx who once said, "Time flies like an arrow; fruit flies like a banana." When he is not swatting flies, Kevin Dayhoff may be reached at … or visit him at http://www.westminstermarylandonline.net/....
DAYHOFF: Hoffa Field and the Sheathing of the Sword
Published June 23, 2009 by Carroll Eagle, Westminster Eagle
... . Lightner and the June 1922 American Sentinel newspaper article have left us with an extensive and fascinating account of the “The Sheathing of the Sword.” … visit him at http://www.westminstermarylandonline.net/....
'Year without summer' killed crops ... and created a monster
Published June 21, 2009 by Carroll Eagle, Westminster Eagle
... village folk that it's not a bad idea to keep a torch handy on these cool summer nights. When he is not playing with laboratory-harnessed lightning, Kevin Dayhoff may be reached at … or visit him at www.westminstermarylandonline.net. ...
Historic Blue Ridge College bell dedicated In Union Bridge
Published June 20, 2009 by Westminster Eagle
UNION BRIDGE — Several hundred folks braved threatening weather June 20 to witness the unveiling and dedication of the historic 1900 Blue Ridge College bell in Lehigh Square, the original site of the college which had thrived in Union Bridge from 1898 to ... ...
When city got 'sole' in the 1920s, it was cause for a celebration
Published June 14, 2009 by Carroll Eagle
... be the guest speaker. There will be a retirement ceremony for worn flags. Guests may bring old flags for retirement. When he is not waving the flag, Kevin Dayhoff may be reached at… or visit him at http://www.westminstermarylandonline.net/....
Remember when you could walk to work in Westminster?
Published June 7, 2009 by Carroll Eagle
... . When he's not on a "walk-about" in Westminster, Kevin Dayhoff may be reached …
Company H: from the Frizellburg greenhouses to the sands of Omaha Beach
Published June 3, 2009 by Westminster Eagle
… (have) come a long way from the old parade field in Frizellburg.” Kevin Dayhoff writes from Westminster.
Dayhoff: New councilmember tackles alleged hit and run driver
Published June 1, 2009 by Westminster Eagle, Carroll Eagle
... Westminster city police arrived and took control of the situation The accident is under investigation. All in a day’s work. Kevin Dayhoff writes from Westminster.
20090705 sdosm Recent columns in Explore Carroll by Kevin Dayhoff
*****
Saturday, January 24, 2009
Even when Carroll County was dry, it really wasn't
Kevin Dayhoff kdayhoff AT carr.org Posted on http://www.explorecarroll.com/ 1/21/09
The Union Bridge Pilot carried a curious news story on Jan. 21, 1921, under the heading of "Local Items," about a gentleman "who had violated the Anti-Saloon League's ideals ..."
It seems that earlier in that week, this fellow "was found on the railroad tracks near town in the evening perfectly oblivious to the workings of the outside world, and particularly to the workings of a steam locomotive, one of which was due within a short time.
"When found he was lying crosswise of the track and, had not help reached him when it did, he would doubtless have continued to dwell in oblivion."
One can only imagine that he did not freeze to death because of the amount of "anti-freeze" in his system.
I thought of the Union Bridge Pilot article recently when the word "saloon" came up in a conversation with six artist friends. A group of us -- 20 artists in Carroll County -- have formed an art co-op called "Off Track Art."
After an organizational meeting, several of us adjourned to Wine Me Up, on East Main Street for pizza and conversation.
One of the conversations was about how to remember to spell words that are similar in sound; such as "desert" (as in the Sahara Desert) and "dessert" (as in ice cream and cake). I always recall that "dessert" has two s's -- as in "I'll have two desserts."
Another spelling rule that came up in the conversation was how to tell the difference in spelling "salon" and "saloon."
Of course, my mind drifted to the work of the "Anti-Saloon League" in Carroll County.
It was a national organization that existed from 1893 to 1933, and was quite active in Carroll County. As one can easily understand from the name, the Anti-Saloon League opposed the sale of alcohol and, by January 1919, had been successful in getting 75 percent of the states in our country to pass laws that prohibited the "sale or transportation of intoxicating liquors."
Locally, Mary Bostwick Shellman was noted as being determined to banish Westminster's 21 saloons, according to Nancy Warner's book, "Carroll County Maryland, A History 1837-1976."
Bear in mind that during this period, Westminster had approximately 3,000 citizens. That's about 140 persons per saloon.
Carroll County went "dry" in 1914. Six years later, on Jan. 29, 1920, prohibition took affect for the rest of the United States. The passage of the Volstead Act as the 18th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution prohibited alcohol use except for when it was used in religious ceremonies.
No information is available as I write as to how many folks gained a renewed interest in religion as a result of prohibition.
And one wonders how it is -- or where -- the gentleman in the 1921 Union Bridge Pilot article found his religious elixir.
I should mention that according to an account that appeared in the Pilot on July 8, 1921, four stills, a quantity of corn whiskey and 150 gallons of mash were seized by police officers at a local church.
Deacon Willie Brown, in whose room the distilling was being carried on, was arrested. Brown admitted in police court that he had been tempted by the devil.
No mention was made in the article as to how popular Communion services were at the "Church of the Holy Moonshiners."
Kevin Dayhoff writes from Westminster. E-mail him at kdayhoff AT carr.org.
Twitter: My Wed Jan 21, 2008 Westminster Eagle column: “Even when Carroll County was dry, it really wasn't” http://tinyurl.com/apk85k
My Wednesday, January 21, 2008 Westminster Eagle column: “Even when Carroll County was dry, it really wasn't”
http://explorecarroll.com/opinion/2140/even-when-carroll-county-was-dry-it-really-wasnt/
Twitter: Recent Explore Carroll columns by Kevin Dayhoff:
http://explorecarroll.com/search/?s=Dayhoff&action=GO
Recent Explore Carroll columns http://www.explorecarroll.com/ by Kevin Dayhoff: http://tinyurl.com/bvsvyz
Fitzhugh was just what the doctor ordered in Carroll's medical past
Published January 25, 2009 by Sunday Carroll Eagle
On Jan. 25, 1935, Dr. Henry Maynadier Fitzhugh, a well-known local physician, died at the University of Maryland Hospital in Baltimore. Today, the name Fitzhugh is...
Even when Carroll County was dry, it really wasn't
Published January 21, 2009 by Westminster Eagle
The Union Bridge Pilot carried a curious news story on Jan. 21, 1921, under the heading of "Local Items," about a gentleman "who had violated...
60 years ago, Davis opened the first chapter of the library book
Published January 16, 2009 by Sunday Carroll Eagle
Bob Allen's piece in last week's edition of The Sunday Carroll Eagle on the future of the Carroll County Public Library reminded me that it...
Martin Luther King and Marvin Gaye still show us the way
Published January 14, 2009 by Westminster Eagle
For those who remember the push-button, dashboard AM radios in your cars in the 1960s, you may want to sit down before your read another...
A connection of Biblical proportions and a few presidential pet projects
Published January 9, 2009 by Sunday Carroll Eagle
I'm excited about the upcoming inauguration of President-elect Barack Obama. It is quite a testimony to our great country to have overcome the yoke of...
Kevin Dayhoff
His columns appear in The Tentacle, http://www.thetentacle.com/;
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20090121 WE Even when Carroll County was dry it really wasnt weked
Tuesday, August 26, 2008
Sunday Carroll Eagle column for August 24 2008: “Years ago, folks celebrated The Forks in Westminster” by Kevin Dayhoff
Years ago, folks celebrated The Forks in Westminster
EAGLE ARCHIVE By Kevin Dayhoff Posted 8/24/08 (690 words)
The City of Westminster has recently been working to form a group to study the Pennsylvania Avenue of town.
In that context, it's interesting that back on Aug. 8, 1924, the editor of the now-defunct newspaper, The American Sentinel, wrote an article about the renaissance of the area on the west end of Westminster known as "The Forks."
The 1924 article was titled, "The Forks Regaining Its Old Prestige."
According to historian Jay Graybeal, who wrote a column about the article in 1999 for the Historical Society of Carroll County, it was the demolition of an old general store at the forks of Pennsylvania Avenue and West Main Street that so excited the editor.
"The old frame store and dwelling at The Forks ... has been razed by Mr. Roy Shipley, a recent purchaser," the article read. "The old building had quite a history and was one of the landmarks of this city."
An old photo in my collection reveals what must have been a large structure with an elegant fountain in the front. The sign above the front porch identifies the store as "Geo. R. Grumbine Groceries and Provisions."
Growing up in Westminster in the 1950s and '60s, and especially in this area of town, I recall Pennsylvania Avenue as an elegant and thriving mixed-use residential and business section of town. The Forks was generally considered the "center of town."
And it was a memorable, unifying force in the community. As late as the 1950s directions were still given that cited the location of store, such as "just up the street from where Grumbine's used to be ..."
[…]
The west end of Westminster is rich with history and tradition. It was annexed by Westminster way back in 1825. At that time, that section was known as "Logsdon's Tavern" -- last of the original five towns that were ultimately consolidated into what we now know as Westminster.
Many who follow the happenings of Carroll County government may find it of interest that the Carroll County public information administrator, Vivian Laxton, is a descendent of the Logsdon family that helped form the foundation of what we now know as Westminster -- and whose roots pre-date before Carroll County was a county.
In 1825, what we know from history as Logsdon's Tavern was actually a part of Frederick County…
[…]
The 1924 Sentinel article gives us a great deal of additional insight into the history of this area of Westminster, and the fact that parts of town were then still considered their own enclaves:
"For quite a number of years before the Civil War," the article notes, "Westminster was divided into three distinct settlements known as Dead End, The Forks, and Irishtown."
To read the rest of the column go here: Years ago, folks celebrated sticking The Forks in Westminster