August 16, 1998
25 Years Ago
Tractor Pull Claims Fair’s Biggest Draw—Of all the events at the 4-H and FFA Fair, the biggest crowd drawer was the tractor pulling contest. Some of the most powerful tractors and best
drivers in the county competed in the event that lasted for several hours on Saturday and drew an estimated 1500 spectators. All size tractors from lawn and garden tractors weighing 750 pounds to 15,000 pound stock farm tractors were on hand to complete in the various weight divisions. Along with the standard or stock tractors, there was a division of “hot-rod” tractors, usually built with a V-8 automobile engine and restricted in physical appearance only by the builder’s imagination. A 300 yard long track with yardage indicators spaced every 25 years was used as a proving ground for the machines and drivers and the Westminster Fire Company and an ambulance were on hand for safety measures and to wet down the track to keep dust at a minimum. The Carroll Record, August 16, 1973.
50 Years Ago
Consolidation Planned By Three Westminster Banks—The proposed consolidation of three of Westminster’s banks, The Westminister Savings Bank, The Farmers and Mechanic National Bank of Westminster, and The First National Bank of Westminster, was announced yesterday. The three institutions would become a national banking association under the amended charter of The First National Bank of Westminster. Assets of the merged institution, to be known as Carroll County National Bank of Westminster, would be in excess of $41,000,000. According to the joint statement issued by the Presidents of the three banks, conversations among the institutions have been going on for several months. A joint consolidation committee, consisting of three Directors from each bank, has worked out the details of the consolidation and with officials have drawn up an agreement which was approved by the Board of Directors of all three institutions without dissent on July 29th last. Democratic Advocate, August 20, 1948.
75 Years Ago
Move Back Sam’s Bridge Washed by Storm—Hauling the Sam’s Creek bridge, which was washed several hundred yards down stream by the high water which prevailed in Frederick and Carroll counties last week back to its original site, began last Monday. The Sam’s creek bridge was washed entirely away from its foundations. Some of the other bridges were damaged by the flood, but the bridge over Sam’s creek at the village of the same name was carried entirely away from its supports. It is thought that the damage to this bridge will soon be repaired and it will be safe for traffic. Work on the other bridges in the county which were damaged by the high water has also been begun. The roads are being repaired, too, although the damage to the latter is not now considered as bad as was at first feared. It is said that only the roads which lie parallel with the creek beds were damaged to any serious extent. Democratic Advocate, August 17, 1923.
100 Years Ago
Parade and Picnic—The largest crowd that ever invaded Taneytown was that on Wednesday, on the occasion of the firemen’s parade and picnic. It is probable that the visitors
numbered fifteen hundred, and of these there were about one hundred and fifty from Westminster. The parade of the firemen took place in the morning, and was quite imposing. George A. Koutz, chief marshal, and Charles Elliott and Franklin Boxersox, assistants, headed the procession. They were followed by burgess and commissioners of the town in carriages. The Carroll County Band, followed by the Westminster Fire Department, with reel, were next in line. These were followed in order by the Littlestown (Pa.) Drum Corps and the Littlestown Fire department, with reel; the Taneytown Band and the Taneytown Fire Company, with apparatus. The procession paraded the whole town and then went out to the picnic ground, in Mr. Harry M. Clabaugh’s grove. Here were various amusements and refreshments and good dinners and suppers were served. Notwithstanding the weather was hot, the occasion was an enjoyable one. Democratic Advocate, August 20, 1898.