If you were a resident or worked in old Ellicott City during the years 1960 - 1980, there is a Facebook group for you.
Ellicott City 1960 - 1980
Tuesday, June 23, 2009
A Visit to Ellicott City
I took a short trip to old Ellicott City today, and enjoyed it immensely. The sun was out, and a good day to walk, so I grabbed a cup of coffee at the Riverside Cafe, and wandered around. It was interesting to be there and not know anyone, or be recognized by anyone. If I still painted pictures for a living, it would be fun to rent a second floor somewhere for a studio. The granite that the town is built on, and of was giving off so much radiation today, that my mind was really buzzing by the time I left.
I discovered a really nice gallery, the Still Life Gallery, and really enjoyed the ambiance there. From the old style Edison exposed-bulb lighting in the showroom window, to the bottle of Absinthe sitting next to some antique prints, well thought out design was apparent. It was inspiring, it almost made me want to paint again.
I discovered a really nice gallery, the Still Life Gallery, and really enjoyed the ambiance there. From the old style Edison exposed-bulb lighting in the showroom window, to the bottle of Absinthe sitting next to some antique prints, well thought out design was apparent. It was inspiring, it almost made me want to paint again.
Sunday, June 21, 2009
Indian Trails
As children, we always walked on well worn trails along the river, and through the wooded areas. Partial trails also existed along the hills between the streets. I remember you could enter one such trail along the railroad track behind the Patapsco Hotel, and follow a path all the way to the Emory Methodist church.
Back then, you could still walk through newly plowed fields and pick up arrowheads. Many of us had small arrowhead collections.
The Patapsco River valley was a popular hunting area for nearby Indian tribes before the English arrived. Fish and shellfish were abundant in the river, while the valley area was full of large and small game.
Back then, you could still walk through newly plowed fields and pick up arrowheads. Many of us had small arrowhead collections.
The Patapsco River valley was a popular hunting area for nearby Indian tribes before the English arrived. Fish and shellfish were abundant in the river, while the valley area was full of large and small game.
Recycling circa 1960
Soda used to be sold in glass bottles. Most places that sold soda would give you a penny for the returned bottle, which they would then return to the bottler to be refilled. Those of us that understood the value of this idea would go around looking for discarded bottles to return to the stores for money for "penny candy" Those that had wagons would even go door to door asking for empties which would often turn up enough cash for candy, a soda and maybe even a comic book.
The bottles were returned and refilled. Even the cases that the sodas were delivered in were used until they wore out, which was a long time because they were actually made of wood, from an actual tree, before the days of plastic.
The bottles were returned and refilled. Even the cases that the sodas were delivered in were used until they wore out, which was a long time because they were actually made of wood, from an actual tree, before the days of plastic.
Racing Down Mulligan's Hill
Mulligan's Hill is off Main Street, beyond Maryland Avenue. It is steep, and the perfect place to drive a home-made "set of wheels". When Summer came, we were always on the lookout for some wheels. preferably in pairs, wood of any kind, rope, nuts and bolts, nails, and the like. We built gravity powered cars out of anything that we could find, and they were a strange looking lot.
You would build a car, and pull it by the rope to the top of the hill, jump on and go rolling away, just for a few seconds. And if the car did not break apart, or the wheels fly off, do it all over and over again.
This was all part of the local "wheels scene" hand-made cars, 2-wheeled scooters, bikes, large 3-wheeled bikes, small tri-cycles, little red wagons, roller skates, anything that would get you up and down the seven hills of the old town.
You would build a car, and pull it by the rope to the top of the hill, jump on and go rolling away, just for a few seconds. And if the car did not break apart, or the wheels fly off, do it all over and over again.
This was all part of the local "wheels scene" hand-made cars, 2-wheeled scooters, bikes, large 3-wheeled bikes, small tri-cycles, little red wagons, roller skates, anything that would get you up and down the seven hills of the old town.
Thursday, June 18, 2009
The Kindness of Strangers
During the early, formative years of my life, I was witness to many examples of the kindness of strangers.
Many times, my family was given some form of assistance by the Salvation Army, sometimes food, sometimes shelter.
Every Christmas, the local Kiwanis Club of Ellicott City would bus poor children to their facility to visit with Santa Claus, who always had enough gifts for all attendees.
The local Lion's Club provided eye care and free eyeglass for those that could not pay for such luxuries. Dr. Silvert A. Spritz was not only a Lion's Club member, but also an optometrist. I suspect that he also quietly looked the other way when It came time to pay, if the local children needed eye care, but could not pay.
Finally, I remember the "Grimm" family that for several years provided Christmas gifts for my sister, brothers and me during the 1960's, something I will never forget.
Many times, my family was given some form of assistance by the Salvation Army, sometimes food, sometimes shelter.
Every Christmas, the local Kiwanis Club of Ellicott City would bus poor children to their facility to visit with Santa Claus, who always had enough gifts for all attendees.
The local Lion's Club provided eye care and free eyeglass for those that could not pay for such luxuries. Dr. Silvert A. Spritz was not only a Lion's Club member, but also an optometrist. I suspect that he also quietly looked the other way when It came time to pay, if the local children needed eye care, but could not pay.
Finally, I remember the "Grimm" family that for several years provided Christmas gifts for my sister, brothers and me during the 1960's, something I will never forget.
The Humiliation of Poverty
Poverty is humiliating, almost nothing good can be said of it, except, perhaps that it builds character and an appreciation of the value of hard work. Being poor can be a temporary state. Because of the fact that my father died before I turned 3 years old, I grew up on welfare. It embarrassed me, I was always ashamed of being on welfare. That is why, as soon as I was old enough, I swept floors, and shined shoes to make some money. and have always been industrious.
When I was in elementary school, I received a free lunch every day, courtesy of some program that I don't remember the name of. I had a friend, Donald Hnat, that would sometimes have an extra 5 cents that he would give me to purchase an ice cream. On one such occasion, a cafeteria worker informed me that if I had money for ice cream that I could afford lunch, so I either had to give up the ice cream or the free lunch. Possibly this was when I first began to dislike "authority" figures.
Another, such occasion was as I was let off of the school bus at the end of every day during the middle school years. I would get off of the bus and actually wait for the bus to leave, so that my peers would not see which building that I would enter as my home. As if it made any difference, because all the homes in the slums of Ellicott City were all impoverished looking.
The limited perception of a child could only see that old Ellicott City was a slum, not Historic and interesting, as I would see it later in life.
When I was in elementary school, I received a free lunch every day, courtesy of some program that I don't remember the name of. I had a friend, Donald Hnat, that would sometimes have an extra 5 cents that he would give me to purchase an ice cream. On one such occasion, a cafeteria worker informed me that if I had money for ice cream that I could afford lunch, so I either had to give up the ice cream or the free lunch. Possibly this was when I first began to dislike "authority" figures.
Another, such occasion was as I was let off of the school bus at the end of every day during the middle school years. I would get off of the bus and actually wait for the bus to leave, so that my peers would not see which building that I would enter as my home. As if it made any difference, because all the homes in the slums of Ellicott City were all impoverished looking.
The limited perception of a child could only see that old Ellicott City was a slum, not Historic and interesting, as I would see it later in life.
Wednesday, June 17, 2009
Leidig's Bakery
Leidigs was an institution in 1960's Ellicott City, Especially on Sundays. You had to just go there and get in line and wait for your number to be called. . This was the first place I ever saw a "Take a Number" machine.
If your were getting married, and didn't order your wedding cake from Leidigs, you must have been born out of state. The display windows were full of mock wedding cakes from Spring to Autumn. In Winter, the display would change to gingerbread houses, and they were made in the old European style, with candies and gumdrops glued on with frosting. They were wymsical, magical and smelled fantastic.
Of course, being a bakery, they also had an immense variety of cakes, pies, breads & donuts. Bavarian creme, yellow custard, honey dipped, chocolate , jelly filled and so many others.
If your were getting married, and didn't order your wedding cake from Leidigs, you must have been born out of state. The display windows were full of mock wedding cakes from Spring to Autumn. In Winter, the display would change to gingerbread houses, and they were made in the old European style, with candies and gumdrops glued on with frosting. They were wymsical, magical and smelled fantastic.
Of course, being a bakery, they also had an immense variety of cakes, pies, breads & donuts. Bavarian creme, yellow custard, honey dipped, chocolate , jelly filled and so many others.
Monday, June 15, 2009
The Patapsco Pharmacy
From the colored glass jars in the front window, to the floor to ceiling black drawers in the back room, the Patapsco Pharmacy was about as close to a old-world Apothecary that you can find. There was a long soda fountain counter with stools along the right side. Post cards of the town, comic books, medicines, and just about anything that a pharmacy of that period would carry was there.
But the real fun was in the rear of the store. Dr. Fitzsimmons was the pharmacist. and a character in every sense of the word. From his wild white hair and moustache, to being hard of hearing to his hard German accent, he was quite different. He maintained the pills and powders and everything medicinal in the floor to ceiling drawers and doors. All was painted black with white porcelain knobs. The only children ever allowed into that delightful world were the occasional waifs that were paid a quarter to sweep the floor.
But the real fun was in the rear of the store. Dr. Fitzsimmons was the pharmacist. and a character in every sense of the word. From his wild white hair and moustache, to being hard of hearing to his hard German accent, he was quite different. He maintained the pills and powders and everything medicinal in the floor to ceiling drawers and doors. All was painted black with white porcelain knobs. The only children ever allowed into that delightful world were the occasional waifs that were paid a quarter to sweep the floor.
Eddie's Luncheonette
Eddie's was an Art Deco masterpiece, from the curved glass on either side of the entrance door, to the black counter, with it's chrome and red counter stools. It was in what once was the food concession for the old Ellicott Theater. Eddie's served classic grilled burgers, fries and fountain sodas. Interestingly, Eddie's was also a toy store, with comic books, model cars and tropical fish.
Sunday, June 14, 2009
Bob's Five & Dime
Bob's Five & Dime was an old-fashioned toy store. Every child for miles around in every direction was familar with the store. Children called the owners "Mr. & Mrs. Bob". Along with all the classic toys of the era, there was penny candy in large glass jars, comic books, cold soda, and just about anything else that would thrill a small child.
There was always something fascinating going on there. Before Easter, they would fill a large glass jar with jelly beans and have a contest to guess how many jelly beans were inside. The child with the closest guess would get a nice prize. Another thing they would do is fill hundreds of different sized paper bags with overstocked toys and seal them shut, and have a "Grab Bag" sale. All bags were priced from 25 cents to a dollar. The contents were always worth much more.
The sodas were kept in a large red ice chest about 3 feet tall by 5 feet wide. It was filled with refrigerated water, which kept the drinks ice cold. It was a treat during hot days to reach into the cold water to fetch a soda. Among the brands were "Mr. Frostie, Suburban Club, and of course, Coke & Pepsi
There was always something fascinating going on there. Before Easter, they would fill a large glass jar with jelly beans and have a contest to guess how many jelly beans were inside. The child with the closest guess would get a nice prize. Another thing they would do is fill hundreds of different sized paper bags with overstocked toys and seal them shut, and have a "Grab Bag" sale. All bags were priced from 25 cents to a dollar. The contents were always worth much more.
The sodas were kept in a large red ice chest about 3 feet tall by 5 feet wide. It was filled with refrigerated water, which kept the drinks ice cold. It was a treat during hot days to reach into the cold water to fetch a soda. Among the brands were "Mr. Frostie, Suburban Club, and of course, Coke & Pepsi
Watermelons in Summertime
Among the best things that happen in the Summer, is the availability of ripe watermelon. Each Summer, Billy Summers and I would pool our coins, go to Paul's Market, and purchase a watermelon, $1.25. Now carrying the watermelon, a salt shaker & butcher knife, we began our trek to an area known as "Green Hill". We would enter the "Howard House" because then you could enter on Main Street, climb several flights of stairs, and exit on Church Road. Then following Church Road, then Courthouse Lane, we would climb the granite steps to sit under the large tree on Green Hill. Sometimes we were able to finish the entire watermelon, but with great stomach discomfort. We would lay on the hill, under the tree until we felt well enough to move.
During the mid-1960's the Fire Department Museum between Main Street & Church Road, was an annex of the Howard County Library. One day, carrying our watermelon, we decided to show it off to the Librarian there, and after placing it on her desk, and turning away for a moment, there was a loud "thunk" and watermelon was everywhere. Needless to say we did not eat our watermelon under the large tree on Green Hill that year.
During the mid-1960's the Fire Department Museum between Main Street & Church Road, was an annex of the Howard County Library. One day, carrying our watermelon, we decided to show it off to the Librarian there, and after placing it on her desk, and turning away for a moment, there was a loud "thunk" and watermelon was everywhere. Needless to say we did not eat our watermelon under the large tree on Green Hill that year.
Saturday, June 13, 2009
The Gift of Old Ellicott City
How could anyone have known the rich lessons that would come from a "deprived" existence growing up in the slum of old Ellicott City? It was the best possible preparation for living in the real world that must come for all of us. What can anyone that grows up in a suburban existence write about later in life, void of the learned wisdom that small town life can give? Growing up in the shadows of so much history permeates itself in your psyche to such a degree that the memory of events stay with you all your life. So many individuals, events, and the passage of time contributed to the historic fabric of the town, and it seems that attempts to record them are futile. I have made many attempts to start the process, but usually give up. Here I am in the summer of 2007 making what I think will be my final and successful attempt. (And as it turns out, here I am again in the Spring of 2009 attempting to do the same thing again)
Friday, June 12, 2009
A Chronology of Ellicott Mills History
1771 - John, Andrew, and Joseph establish a settlement at Ellicott's Mills.
1774 - The Ellicotts are milling wheat at their new mill on the east side of the Patapsco river
1780 - Flood.
1790s - Ellicotts built the road west to Fredericktown.
1830 - B & O build Train Station on land given to them by the Ellicotts.
1830 - Rock Hill College founded by the Christian Brothers.
1831 - Angelo Castle built by Samuel Vaughn, an artist.
1831 - The Ellicotts sell a half-block parcel on the north side of the river to Andrew McLaughlin for $16,000.
1833 - Andrew Jackson became the first President to ride on a train. He makes the trip to Ellicott's Mills by stagecoach, and boards the train for a trip to Baltimore.
1834 - McLaughlin has to sell his property and establishes a lottery to do so. The poster describes Ellicott's Mills: "One of the most romantic, healthy, and prosperous villages in the United States, admired by every passing traveller and celebrated for it's great manufacturing advantages. The clink of the hammer is heard from every quarter, splitting the gray granite, which abounds in inexhaustible quantities; the dull noise of the forges and rapic motion of Saw Mills; the hum of ten thousand spindles in the Cotton Factories, the whirl of the many mill stones, and the white spray of the pure water which is constantly tumbling over the dam, mingling with the cheerful bustle of the industrious and enterprising villagers, give the whole scene a most animating character and make it the happy resort of thousands of admiring visitors."
1834 - 1837 - Patapsco Institute built.
1837 - Emory Methodist Church built.
1840 - Howard County Courthouse built
1851 - Howard County officially established out of part of Anne Arundel County.
1861 - "Winan's Steam Gun" recaptured by Union troops when Southern sympathizers attempt to take it through Ellicott's Mills to Harper's Ferry.
1867 - After being granted a city charter, Ellicott's Mills name is changed to Ellicott City.
1868 - Flood destroys much of the Town on both sides of the river.
1885 - Freight station built in 1885.
1914 - Wooden covered bridge spanning the Patapsco river burns.
1962 - Town celebrates the Centennial of the "Raid on Ellicott's Mills" Civil War event.
1972 - Hurricane Agnes sweeps through the town causing massive damage and destroying George Ellicott's house.
1972 - The old town's Bicentennial is celebrated with many special events and publications.
1974 - Ellicott City declared a Historic District by the Howard County Government.
1774 - The Ellicotts are milling wheat at their new mill on the east side of the Patapsco river
1780 - Flood.
1790s - Ellicotts built the road west to Fredericktown.
1830 - B & O build Train Station on land given to them by the Ellicotts.
1830 - Rock Hill College founded by the Christian Brothers.
1831 - Angelo Castle built by Samuel Vaughn, an artist.
1831 - The Ellicotts sell a half-block parcel on the north side of the river to Andrew McLaughlin for $16,000.
1833 - Andrew Jackson became the first President to ride on a train. He makes the trip to Ellicott's Mills by stagecoach, and boards the train for a trip to Baltimore.
1834 - McLaughlin has to sell his property and establishes a lottery to do so. The poster describes Ellicott's Mills: "One of the most romantic, healthy, and prosperous villages in the United States, admired by every passing traveller and celebrated for it's great manufacturing advantages. The clink of the hammer is heard from every quarter, splitting the gray granite, which abounds in inexhaustible quantities; the dull noise of the forges and rapic motion of Saw Mills; the hum of ten thousand spindles in the Cotton Factories, the whirl of the many mill stones, and the white spray of the pure water which is constantly tumbling over the dam, mingling with the cheerful bustle of the industrious and enterprising villagers, give the whole scene a most animating character and make it the happy resort of thousands of admiring visitors."
1834 - 1837 - Patapsco Institute built.
1837 - Emory Methodist Church built.
1840 - Howard County Courthouse built
1851 - Howard County officially established out of part of Anne Arundel County.
1861 - "Winan's Steam Gun" recaptured by Union troops when Southern sympathizers attempt to take it through Ellicott's Mills to Harper's Ferry.
1867 - After being granted a city charter, Ellicott's Mills name is changed to Ellicott City.
1868 - Flood destroys much of the Town on both sides of the river.
1885 - Freight station built in 1885.
1914 - Wooden covered bridge spanning the Patapsco river burns.
1962 - Town celebrates the Centennial of the "Raid on Ellicott's Mills" Civil War event.
1972 - Hurricane Agnes sweeps through the town causing massive damage and destroying George Ellicott's house.
1972 - The old town's Bicentennial is celebrated with many special events and publications.
1974 - Ellicott City declared a Historic District by the Howard County Government.
The 7 Hills of Ellicott Mills
Ellicott Mills is built on seven hills in the tradition of ancient Rome. They are named Capitoline, Rock , Strawberry, Patapsco, Mulligan, Dutch, and Quaker Hill.
Ellicott City Elementary School
If anyone reading this attended school there, please use the "comment" button below to add your recollections.
1830 - The Railroad Arrives
In 1830, The B & O Railroad built the "Old Main Line" to the town from Baltimore. Originally, transportation on the rails consisted of horse drawn cars. The initial trip to Ellicott's Mills aboard horse drawn cars was May 24, 1830. There was much interest in steam power and how it could be harnessed for the railroad. Then, a remarkable event occurred, an impromptu race between a horse drawn car and Peter Cooper's invention, The Tom Thumb. The Tom Thumb was in the vicinity of Relay and on it's way back to Baltimore with a load of dignitaries. The horse drawn car was a Stotton & Stocks Company car. After initially gaining a lead over the horse, a band blew off the boiler and by the time it was replaced the other car was too far ahead to be overtaken. It is belived that Peter Cooper suffered damage to his hands trying to replace the band. The Tom Thumb lost the race, but was a hint of things to come in the way of steam power. The initial trip to Ellicott's Mills by steam engine was made on August 30, 1830.
Ellicott Mills was founded in 1772
Ellicott Mills was founded as a Quaker community by three brothers who had moved here from Buck's County, Pennsylvania. John, Joseph, and Andrew Ellicott established Ellicott's Mills in 1772 paying three dollars per acre. The Ellicotts were looking for a place to build a grist mill. The brothers selected the area because of the swiftly flowing Patapsco river. At first, unbelievable today, they had to ford the river. The first building was of log construction, then a sawmill to prepare lumber for building. The Jonathan Ellicott house & store was built 1772 and traded as Ellicott & Company. Eventually they built a wooden bridge spanning the Patapsco. They established several mills for milling flour and manufacturing iron products.
The Ellicotts were instrumental in convincing the local farmers, including Charles Carroll of Carrollton, to convert their tobacco fields to the growth of wheat. Tobacco had depleted the soil of it's nutrients and they had discovered that common plaster was a good fertilizer.
After being granted a city charter, Ellicott's Mills name is changed to Ellicott City in 1867.
The Ellicotts were instrumental in convincing the local farmers, including Charles Carroll of Carrollton, to convert their tobacco fields to the growth of wheat. Tobacco had depleted the soil of it's nutrients and they had discovered that common plaster was a good fertilizer.
After being granted a city charter, Ellicott's Mills name is changed to Ellicott City in 1867.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)