Historical Society of Carroll County
Baltimore Sun article for October 29, 2000
25 Years Ago
Planners Add Lot Reduction Requirements – the Mt. Airy Planning and Zoning Commission voted unanimously Monday to add specifications to subdivision reduced lot sizes. Subdivision builders are permitted under Mt. Airy zoning regulations to reduce the minimum lot size by 30 percent if 20 percent is devoted to open space or recreation areas. No reference is made in the regulations, however, to its dimensions. With the added specifications builders may reduce lot width and yard requirements by no more than 30 percent. Current minimum requirements are 35 feet for the front yard, 40 feet in the rear and 12 feet on each side. The action came in response to a request by Harold Skidmore of S & Y Contractors for a clarification of the ordinances. Without reference to dimensions, Skidmore said, a lot reduced by 30 percent could “leave one foot to build on.” S & Y Contractors, builders of the Friendly Acres townhouses on Waterville road have applied for a 198 unit development in town. Commission members agreed to meet with company representatives before the next regular meeting to review preliminary plans for the development. Community Reporter, October 31, 1975.
50 Years Ago
Mummies’ Parade Promenade and Dance to be Held in Armory — Prizes 1:15 p.m. — Open to Features – Westminster’s annual Hallowe’en celebration is set for Tuesday evening, October 31, with the formation taking place at the State Armory, and moving at 7:30 o’clock, going to Main street and Pennsylvania avenue, returning east on Main to Court street, thence on Main to Municipal playground in rear of Armory, where the prizes will be awarded. Starting at 9 o’clock there will be a promenade and dance in the Armory. There will be a charge of fifty cents to defray the expenses. Prizes will be awarded those who enter the promenade in the Armory. Children will have proper protection in line of parade, and all who participate are expected to be in line from start to finish. The streets will be blocked off and city officers and Legionnaires will assist in giving proper protection. Prizes will be in cash and there will be more to offer this year. It is requested that parents encourage their children to take part and the adults as well. Organizations and groups, on foot or floats, are also asked to join in the celebration. Captain John Magin will marshall the parade. The Democratic Advocate, October 27, 1950.
75 Years Ago
Mr. Erb Asks $1,100 Damage – Suit has been instituted in the Adams County court at Gettysburg by Charles R. Erb, Hagerstown, to recover $1,100 from Steinman Hardware Company, Lancaster, as the result of a collision between the car driven by Erb and a machine operated by George L. Austin, a salesman for the Lancaster firm, at Cross Keys, one mile east of New Oxford, on the evening of March 9, 1924. Summons in the action have been issued by Prothonotary C. B. Yohe on the Steinman Company, returnable November 2. Mr. Erb alleges that Austin’s machine hit his machine full in the left side, causing alleged damages to the extent of $600. Besides the damage to his car, Erb claims personal injuries to the extent of $500. Mr. Erb is an engineer on the Western Maryland Railroad and formerly of Union Bridge. The Democratic Advocate, October 30, 1925.
100 Years Ago
The visit of Mr. Wm. J. Bryan to this city on Tuesday last was in some respects a disappointment. The number of persons who came to see the Democratic Dictator was much less than was anticipated. Everybody who saw the crowd knows that an estimate of ten or twelve thousand, such as was reported to the Baltimore papers, was a palpable and gross exaggeration. Persons experienced in estimating numbers of gatherings of this character say that three thousand would be a liberal estimate of the number who greeted Mr. Bryan in this city by their presence. Most of the Democrats and Republicans alike were disappointed in failing to hear his brief speech on account of the rain which came on briskly a short time before his arrival. Persons who stood near the platform say, however, that it was verbatim, a short part of the speech made by Mr. Bryan, the same evening, at Music Hall in Baltimore. The Democratic Advocate, October 27, 1900.