Historical Society of Carroll County

Baltimore Sun Article for July 15, 2001

25 Years Ago 

Patapsco Park Plans to be Presented to Public—the Department of Natural Resources is currently preparing a revised master plan for Patapsco Valley State Park.  Proposed for the southern area of Carroll County are day use, overnight and recreational facilities.  Additional land acquisition is also proposed to increase the size of the park.  Patapsco Valley State Park currently consists of 8,642 acres, located on both sides of the Patapsco River from Sykesville to Baltimore City.  Proposed land acquisition would increase the size of the park to its current authorized acreage of 11,171 acres.  Plans for the expansion have angered and upset some landowners in the Marriottville area who have discovered that their homes lie within the proposed ‘take lines.’   The Herald, July 14, 1976.

50 Years Ago

Parkway Advisory Committee Named–$900,000 Appropriated to Acquire Land for First Stage of Patapsco Park Project—Governor McKeldin has appointed a fifteen-member advisory group to work with the Department of Forests and Parks in acquiring land for the Patapsco River Valley Park.  The group has been designated as the Patapsco Land Advisory Committee.  The creation of the Committee follows the action of the 1951 Session of the General Assembly in appropriating $900,000 for the acquisition of land and first stage development of the Patapsco Park. The Development Plan for the Patapsco River Valley Park was completed by the Maryland State Planning Commission.  The estimated cost of purchasing approximately 7,000 acres to complete the proposed park is about $800,000.  In now seems possible to obtain all of the land for the new Park.  The Commission’s report considered this land acquisition “the first, and most urgent step” in developing the area.   Democratic Advocate, July 20, 1951.

75 Years Ago

U. R. To Hold Field Day – On Wednesday, July 28, during the afternoon and evening at Meadow View Grove, Union Mills, the Uniform Rank, will start this year an annual Field Day, for the entertainment of the children and wives of the members, and the public is invited.  Arrangements are being made to have something going on every minute from 1 o’clock to 11.  The field contest will consist of a Horse Shoe tournament, tugs of war, 3-leg races, potato races, etc., for men and women; money, candy and peanut scrambles for the children.  The water contest will consist of diving contest and 25-yard dash for men, women and children.  The music will be furnished by the Westminster Band, with two concerts at the swimming pool.  In the evening there will be dancing from 8 until 11 with music by a 7-piece orchestra and fireworks at 8 o’clock.  Souvenirs will be given to the children and soft drinks, sandwiches, ice cream and hot dogs will be on sale.   American Sentinel, July 16, 1926.

100 Years Ago          

Mr. James Stoner, undertaker, of this city, tells an interesting fish story.  He says that he and his son Clarence, and Mr. John Stem, manager of the Hotel Albion of this city, went fishing at Union Bridge, on Thursday, 11th inst. and “caught an eel weighing 7 ½ lbs. And a carp weighing eight lbs.”  They also caught other carp and a lot of catfish, making, in all, 112 fish.  The eel and carp, he says, “were the largest caught around Carroll county,” and adds:  “Mr. Stem invites his friends to come and help him finish up the fish and eel.”   American Sentinel, July 20, 1901.