David Bule
(1/2023) January can be a valuable time to pause, take stock, and reflect on the events and occurrences that have shaped and defined us as individuals and, more broadly, as a collective. Over the past year, this column has explored the people and places representing who we are as citizens of Taneytown. The upcoming year will welcome change to our community and how we view our town's past. With that in mind, I would like to introduce everyone to the Traipse App. Traipse can be downloaded from the Apple App Store or Google Play Store.
The user can tour historic Taneytown's Main St. using the Traipse App. Once the app is fully integrated, users can enjoy a detailed self-guided tour and find fascinating facts, riddles, brain-teasers, and puzzles about their surroundings. Readers of this column will get a brief overview of what will be presented in the January and February columns.
For this month's column, the tour will start in front of City Hall/Taneytown Volunteer Fire Company at 15-17 East Baltimore St. and end at The Opera House Building/Record Office at 109 East Baltimore St..
City Hall/Taneytown Volunteer Fire Company Building - 15-17 East Baltimore St. -This public building is an eclectic mix of informal and formal design. The first floor served as the City's first firehouse, while the second floor held the City's meeting rooms and offices. The central double doors allowed the two-wheel wagons and, later, the firetruck to exit the building. The large three-part window in the center bay of the second floor is the location of the Council meeting room.
In 1972, Taneytown bought the building on the west, formerly Burk's Barber Shop, to use as office space. An advertisement for Zile's Ice Cream is on the exterior wall, served at the Central Hotel, previously located at 1 York St. in the early 1900s.
Kane's Hotel (formerly Buffington House), ca. 1875 - 25 East Baltimore St. - Around 1875, this building was constructed. It was acquired by William H. Starr (1831-1901), one of Carroll County's wealthiest and most influential men, and was run by James Buffington (1861-1930) until 1903. In 1903, John D. Kane (1856-1907) bought Buffington House and the adjacent property (27 East Baltimore St.).
Kane had been engaged in the hotel business in Emmitsburg before buying the property in Taneytown. Guests have described Kane as a courteous and accommodating person who runs the Hotel in the best way to ensure first-class service.
Like its adjacent building, it is a local example of vernacular Gothic Revival (pointed arch, used for windows, doors, and decorative elements like porches, dormers, or roof gables).
J. S Bower Hardware, ca. 1875 - 27 East Baltimore St. Like 25 East Baltimore St., 27 East Baltimore St. was owned by William Starr and later John Kane. Kane rented the building to John S. Bowers, who had been running his hardware on the second floor over the Taneytown Bakery as J.S. Bowers Hardware. When the hardware business and Bower's reputation grew, Bowers agreed with Kane to move his business. Again, Bowers' reputation as a fair and skilled businessperson grew the business into one of the largest in the county.
In addition to his hardware line, Bowers enjoyed a large trade in paints, oils, wagon-making supplies, leather, woodworking, and mechanical supplies. Bowers developed his mechanical skills and a reputation for repairing guns, locks, and bicycles, which he fixed for enjoyment and rarely charged a fee.
Bowers was active in the community, serving on the Board of Town Commissioners, Director of Taneytown Savings bank, and the Carroll Record.
Like 25 East Baltimore St., 27 East Baltimore St. was built in the vernacular English Gothic Revival style (pointed arches as part of windows, doors, and decorative elements like porches, dormers, or roof eaves).
The Birnie Trust Company Building, 1899 - 103-105 East Baltimore St.. Originally a tiny brick building owned by James Reindollar (1872-1938). The Birnie Bank Trust Company was begun by Dr. George Motter (1842-1903), Edward Reindollar (1853-1921), and George Birnie (1845-1923). In 1884, when the three men discussed opening a bank at the site, the town hooted in opposition as they had during the railroad construction through Taneytown. According to popular opinion, the town could not support a bank at the time.
After Dr. George Motter stepped down and Henry Swope (1817-1897) and his brother Dr. Samuel Swope (1806-1897) took his place, the bank flourished. As the bank's business increased, it began to outgrow the small brick building in which it had begun. By the late 1890s, Birnie approached prominent architect J. A. Dempwolf to design the current structure. On July 4, 1899, the ribbon-cutting ceremony took place.
The left side of the building was Birnie's residence, while the right side of the building was the bank. The bank's more formal classical style, with its fluted Ionic columns, third-story dormer windows, and corner blocks, called "quoins," contrasts with the two-bay tower and balcony of the house. The building has been remodeled several times, including replacing the original residential entrance with a window in the 1960s to accommodate a new lobby.
The bank closed in 1966 when it merged with First National Bank of Taneytown to become the Taneytown Bank and Trust Company.
The Opera House Building/Record Office, the 1890s - 109 East Baltimore St. The opera house served as the offices and plant of The Carroll Record. A large hall and stage on the second floor were used as a venue for plays and minstrel shows; the ground floor of the Opera House had the shop saddle and harness maker S.C. Reaver, the cigar shop of F.S. Staley, and The Carroll Record.
The Opera House Building is a classic Queen Anne Revival commercial structure. A typical Revival building always has a steep roof with cross gables or large dormers, an asymmetrical front façade, and an expansive porch with decorative wood trim. A round or polygonal front corner tower with a conical roof is a distinctive Queen Anne feature on many buildings of this style.
The second double-hung sash window's original windows have 16 panes at the top and two at the bottom. Only the windows on the third floor keep the original panes.
In February, we will cross East Baltimore St. to Antrim. You can view the house and the grounds from the sign. Then continue up this side of the St. to the next house, the Hesson House at 202 East Baltimore St. and conclude at St. Joseph’s Roman Church, located at 48 Frederick St.
The Ludwick Rudisel Tannery House, 1807 - 65 Frederick Street
In 1807, Ludwick Rudisel purchased 16 acres of "The Resurvey on Brother's Agreement," a part of a patent granted to Edward Diggs and Raphael Taney in 1754, containing 7,900 acres. This parcel of land, which adjoined his father's farm, was situated along one of the southeastern boundaries of Taneytown, Maryland, on "Monocacy Road," a well-traveled road leading from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, through Frederick, Maryland, onward to Virginia. He established a successful tannery on this site, an industry in great demand, and built his spacious brick home.
During 1841, this property was $170 per acre, while most surrounding properties were valued at $12-30. In 1842, Ludwick was indebted to his creditors, a sum larger than his cash inventory at his death. They held the public sale of his land to settle his creditors' claims. A May 1843 edition of the "Carrolltonian" newspaper carried the bill of sale.
One of his sons, Thomas, purchased the property. Thomas was Ludwick's successor in the business and had taken charge when his father bought and moved to a house in town circa 1838. Probably to accommodate the tannery's servants or hired hands, a second floor was added to the kitchen wing around 1850. However, as with most things, the tanning business soon reached its zenith and began to decline to the point that it had become obsolete. The 16 acres and their improvements were incorporated into the other adjacent holdings of its owner, and their way of life became focused on farming and local business investments. The land was bequeathed by will to Thomas' only son, William. William died young and, without issue, bequeathed it to his only sister, Mary Louise Motter, wife of Dr. George Motter, in 1882.
Since the Motters were established in another home in Taneytown and later in Washington, D.C., the house was rented first. In time, the property passed to their two daughters and finally to their only grandchild, George Motter Cunningham. The property, consisting of 147 acres or more, was sold to a developer, Taneytown Associates, in 1977. In 1978, the Tannery House and its 9.7950 acres were the first part of the property to be conveyed to Donald L. and Virginia D. Stanley.
Fortunately, because of its long years as a rental property belonging to out-of-town landlords, the interior and exterior aspects of the house remained the same. The original nine over-six window sashes, door graining, fireplace mantel marbelizing, and stove-plate fire backs dating 1726, 1754, and 1762 are among some of its unique features that still can be found. Unfortunately, the exterior part of the bake oven needs exterior shutters and most of the original door hardware. It is, however, possible to reconstruct or replace most of this. The most extensive alteration on the exterior is a back porch which has grown from an open porch to an enclosed porch to its final incorporation with the interior living area.
The house and several lesser outbuildings remain of the original buildings on the 16 acres. Fire destroyed the original barn around the turn of the 20th century. The speculated site of the tannery is now involved in an electric power line and sewerage line rights-of-way and a floodplain area. The original wagon shed/corncrib had to be removed because of the developer's new placement of property lines.
Local historians have long ignored the western end of Taneytown, possibly since its later owners failed to promote an interest in the property. Nevertheless, it is significant that this house was once home to successful businesspeople who were essential to the community's financial, religious, and social aspects. It provided the local citizens with a service much needed in the early days of our country's development.
St. Joseph's Roman Church, 1872 - 48 Frederick Street
Before the Revolutionary War, the first Catholics settled around Taneytown from the Jesuit community at Conewango, Pennsylvania, and the Jesuits also provided the first services. However, before the Masons Dixon's line survey, Maryland proprietaries claimed the country to some distance beyond Hanover, Pa. The survey settled the dispute, placing Taneytown in Maryland and Conewango in Pennsylvania, but the Catholics in Taneytown mainly were still in charge of the Conewango community.
Prominent among the early Catholics were the Taney, Coskreys, Brookes, Hughes, Spaldings, Boyles, Elders, Adelspergers, Diffendals, Gougers, Riffles, and others. As far back as 1790, records of Mass celebrated in private houses by Fathers Frambaugh, Pellentz, Brosius, and Cerfoumont, S. J., from Conewango.
Although a Sulpician, Prince Gallitzin was a resident of the Catholic community at Conewango and attended this mission, Hagerstown and Cumberland in Maryland, and Chambersburg other places in other places in Pennsylvania. He was the first pastor of this church. Demetrius Augustine Gallitzin was born at The Hague in 1770. His father was a Prince of the Russian Empire. As the eldest son, he inherited the estate and title. Still, he forfeited them, becoming an American citizen and Missionary priest, the functions he exercised in this section from 1795 to 1799.
About 1796, Mr. Brookes built the first church here at his own expense. It was built of brick made in the neighborhood and stood until 1876, when the present church was erected. Rev. Nicholas Zocchi, born in Rome, was the next pastor. He Was appointed priest in 1804. In addition to his local labors, he visited Westminster, Martinsburg, W. Va., and other places equally far distant, the same territory now being served by twelve priests. He died in Taneytown on December 17, 1845, after a pastorate of 41 years, and was buried here on December 20.
A famous record of this church is the following: "January 7, 1806, Roger Taney married Ann Key. Witness, Michael Taney." This is the record of the marriage of Chief Justice Roger Brooke Taney to the sister of Francis Scott Key, author of the "Star-Spangled Banner." Rev. John D. Parsons was pastor of the church for three months in 1847, but for the balance of the time from the death of Father Zocchi to 1851, the congregation was served by priests from Mt. St. Mary's College.
In 1851, Rev. Thomas O'Neill became pastor, and the present Rectory was built during his charge. He also served Westminster and New Windsor, leaving in 1862. In 1862 Rev. John Gloyd took the pastorate over in 1869, and he moved to Westminster. In 1871, Rev. R. W. Hazel was appointed as his assistant. Rev. Caspar Schmitt followed the latter in by Rev. John T. Delaney, the Taneytown charge being served by them and several others in the county until 1879, when the charge was divided, Father Delaney serving Taneytown and also New Windsor.
Fathers Gloyd and Delaney built the church in 1876, raising the money before the work was finished. It is an example of the vernacular Gothic Revival and was designed by Joseph Wolf, a local builder from Union Bridge.
Subsequently, the interior and exterior have been renovated and improved several times. The pipe organ in the church was made in England in 1801 and later rebuilt. The congregation felt the need for a school, working hard to raise the necessary funds during Father Delaney's pastorate. As a result, the two-story brick schoolhouse adjoining the parsonage was built in 1890.
