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The History of The Blue Ridge Summit Free Library

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Celebrating Its 100th Anniversary

Joan Bittner Fry

Statement Concerning the Monterey Library: From private undated papers. Previous to a library being housed at the Episcopal Church property, a library was located at Dunbrack Inn. The Dunbrack Library was originated by the leaders of the summer community around Monterey and Blue Ridge Summit in 1894.  Located behind the library was the Dunbrack Inn. This and other Dunbrack properties were set back almost in the forest along Charmian Road.

The library building and the lot on which it stood belonged to a corporation chartered by the State of Pennsylvania, called the Monterey Library Building Company. This property was originally subject to a mortgage held by a Mrs. Cropper of Washington, D.C., and the mortgage money went into the construction of the library building. This mortgage was finally reduced to $1,800. Mrs. Moore, who at that time owned Mr. Knapp’s cottage; Mrs. Cowman of the Clermont Hotel; Miss Rolando; James Carey; and Thomas Hughes contributed $300 toward the mortgage.

The contents of the library consisted of donations made to The Monterey Improvement Association, which existed for many years from the time of the construction of the library. 

There was a similar association at Blue Ridge Summit, called “The Blue Ridge and Monterey Improvement Association.” It was found that The Blue Ridge and Monterey Protective Association was ample to look after the interest of both sections in consequence of the extensive area growth.

The contents of the library, composed of donations exclusively or purchases made with library funds, belong to this community and are supervised and guarded by the committee of the library, the successors of the committee of the former Monterey Improvement Association, and is this for the benefit of the community.

The Monterey Library was reorganized in 1922, and for the next 26 years, was located in the upstairs of the parish house of the Episcopal Church of the Transfiguration (see photo right), near the Western Maryland Railroad Station in Blue Ridge Summit. Miss Elizabeth Willard was the librarian at that time.

The Church of the Transfiguration began as a house church in the late 1800s when summer visitors to Blue Ridge Summit felt a need for worship in the Episcopal tradition. The church grew, and a parish house was built that became the center of much activity in the Blue Ridge Summit area. It eventually housed a library, a basketball court, a bowling alley, a large kitchen for suppers, a stage for plays, and an apartment for the rector. Later, with the advent of air conditioning and each family owning an automobile, the summer population dwindled, and in the early 1960s, the parish house was converted into the present church building. The library was moved to the upstairs of the church.

Western Maryland Railroad Company Donates Blue Ridge Summit Train Station, 1957  

Located in the scenic Blue Ridge Mountains, the Blue Ridge Summit Railway Station was deeded July 8, 1957, to the community by the Western Maryland Railroad Company to be used as a public library. The building was a former passenger station for the many thousands of vacationers who came to this resort for the summer. A unique feature of this library is that it serves residents from four counties (Franklin and Adams and Washington and Frederick) and two states (Pennsylvania and Maryland).

The rambling gray railroad station, which dominates this verdantly cool Franklin County town of Blue Ridge Summit, Pennsylvania, in Franklin County, in the center of one of the east’s most famous summer resorts a half century ago, was presented to the people of the community by the Western Maryland Railway Company. The site includes the large frame building, plus 1.5 acres of land.

The wooden building, with its conical metal-covered tower that has been a landmark here for years, wooden platforms, benches, tiny telegraph room and concourse, occupying in all an acre and a half of land, will be used as a public library.

Presentation of the deed for the property marked a brief afternoon ceremony.  J. B. Ferguson, a member of the board of directors of the Western Maryland Railroad and a long-time cultural and business leader of Hagerstown, C. R. Zarfoss, vice president of traffic for the Western Maryland Railroad, and a group of town leaders participated.

Mrs. Robert W. Hearne, president of the board of the Blue Ridge Summit Free Library, accepted the deed on behalf of the library and the people of this area. She declared: “The entire community owes a debt of gratitude to the Western Maryland Railway Company for the gift of this station. It is to be a real community center. It is to be preserved, insofar as possible, in its present form. We shall have to change the interior, of course, but we want to retain its outer physical characteristics so that people will always know that it was once a railroad station. We of the board want especially to thank Mr. Ferguson for his efforts on our behalf. When the idea was broached of making this building a library, Mr. Ferguson went to work to help make this dream a possibility.”

Mr. Ferguson then paid tribute to Mrs. Hearne and the library board, Harvey Gearhart, vice president; Miss Marea Harris, treasurer, and Earl Bohn, Miss Blanche Eyler, Mrs. James Annis, Mrs. Jack Kramer, Miss Ethel Wedge, and Miss Martha Connor.

The gay days of the swift Blue Mountain Express that carried Baltimore’s top society the 70 miles to this great mountaintop resort at the turn of the century were recalled nostalgically by those present.

Mr. Zarfoss noted that the train used to carry as many as 2 million riders a year—most of them between Baltimore and the Pen Mar area. In the 1920s, the automobile sounded the death knell of the railroad’s thriving passenger trade and signaled the end of the area’s role as a great summer resort. Mr. Zarfoss presented the library two copies of Harold A. Williams’ The Western Maryland Story.

Miss E. Willard, Summit Librarian, Honored at Dinner

Note: Miss Elizabeth (Betty) Willard was the former librarian. This undated article pertains to her retirement.

In October, Miss Elizabeth Willard, for 35 years the librarian at the Blue Ridge Summit Free Library, has stepped down. Mrs. Robert Hearne, president of the library board, said Mrs. James Annis will take over as librarian. Miss Willard will continue as assistant librarian.

The announcements were made at a dinner meeting at Greystone Inn.  The affair honored Miss Willard. Edward Cooey spoke for the group in appreciation of Miss Willard’s service. In addition to Miss Willard, Mrs. Hearne, and Mrs. Annis, the party included J. Harvey Gearhart, vice president; Mrs. Joseph Dailey, secretary; Miss Marea Harris, treasurer; and E. E. Bohn; Miss Blanche Eyler; Mrs. Jack Kramer; Mrs. J. M. Dutrow; and Miss Ethel Wedge. Representing the Washington County Library Association were Edward W. Cooey, president, Mrs. Mary Louise Holzaphel, and Mrs. Madeline S. Startzman.

Western Maryland Railway Station at Blue Ridge Summit became the Blue Ridge Summit Free Library (1957).

New History in the Making at Pen Mar Park

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Eileen Dwyer

Located on the border of Maryland and Pennsylvania on South Mountain, Pen Mar Park became a prominent resort in the late 19th century. The owner of the Western Maryland Railroad felt the scenic location in the cooler Blue Ridge Mountains would entice Baltimore-area residents out of their city dwellings during hot summer months. And, utilizing his railroad, the city dwellers did just that.  Back in its heyday, Pen Mar Park boasted many first-class hotels, a dance pavilion, dining hall, playground, scenic overlook, roller coaster, Ferris wheel, carousel, penny arcade, shooting gallery, movie theater, beer garden and a miniature train.

The park was by far one of the most popular resorts in the eastern United States, with close to 20,000 visitors taking the 71-mile trip from Baltimore to Pen Mar each summer weekend. President Grover Cleveland, Dr. Walter Reed, and even actress Joan Crawford counted among the Pen Mar’s early visitors.

Unfortunately, by the end of the 1920s, the once-glorious Pen Mar Park began to lose its luster, as tourist numbers declined. Over the next few decades, the park fell into rapid decline.

In 1977, Washington County purchased the park, and it was re-opened in 1980. Currently, Pen Mar Park holds live music concerts during the summer in the multi-use pavilion (located at the site of the original dance pavilion). Visitors also enjoy the playground, rent the pavilions for gatherings, hike the Appalachian Trail, and take in the picturesque view from High Rock Summit.

It is like stepping back in time to visit the Pen Mar dance pavilion on Sundays between 2:00 and 5:00 p.m., where various musicians provide entertainment as part of the Jim and Fay Powers Music Series. Visitors of all ages dance or simply watch and soak it all in. Whether a seasoned professional of swing or ballroom dance or a complete uncoordinated amateur simply wiggling to the tune, this place and activity replicates the spirit of the Pen Mar Park of yesteryear. Twenty-five to fifty percent of those who attend are considered regulars, with dance groups from Pennyslvania, Viriginia, and Maryland.

On an afternoon at the dance pavilion at the end of June, where folks gathered to watch, listen, or dance to fifties music and easy listening provided by “Détente,” David Jacoby of Gettysburg was visiting. He took relatives on a tour of the area and included stopping at Pen Mar Park, Thurmont, Emmitsburg, and Gettysburg along the way. He said, “I just like this place. I’ll stop when I’m close by and have some fun.”

Doris Flax was raised in Emmitsburg, but currently lives in Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania. She started visiting Pen Mar Park when she was just two years old and visits every chance she gets today. “My mother would bring us up here every Sunday, back then, to dance. Just like it is now.”

Shirley Rienks of Waynesboro, Pennsylvania, especially remembers “Everybody’s Day” when she was a youngster. She said, “They had babies. I have a picture of that.” Everybody’s Day will be held on August 26 this season. It will feature the Ray Birely Orchestra. The Rocky Birely Combo is also one of the featured bands at Pen Mar Park. Rocky’s father, Ray Birely, was the original band leader at Pen Mar back in the day.

Joe Etter of Carlisle, Pennsylvania, has been dancing at Pen Mar “off and on for about twenty years.” A seasoned dancer, he’s known to be the local expert about everything Pen Mar Park. He recalled his favorites from childhood: the penny arcade and the carousel.

Vicky Anderson from Montgomery County, Maryland, grew up in the area. She returns when she can and makes a day of it by stopping for a meal in Thurmont, bringing a book to read, and then dancing, “It’s really nice. The view from High Rock is just breathtaking.”

The Pen Mar Park Music Series will continue through September 30 this season. Pavilion reservations and park information may be obtained by contacting the Washington County Buildings, Grounds & Parks Department at 240-313-2807.

 

Pictured are Doris Flax (left) and Shirley Rienks (right) at the Pen Mar Dance Pavilion.

Dancers enjoy swing and ballroom dancing at the Pen Mar Dance Pavilion on Sundays.

The Lake View Hotel

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Joan Bittner Fry

The Lake View Hotel, C. J. Remsburg, Proprietor, Lewistown, Maryland, Long Distance Phone 840-2

While looking through my postcard collection, I came upon a small brochure about Lake View Hotel, and I quote the brochure:

“Lake View Hotel is located midway between Frederick and Thurmont, Maryland on the Western Maryland and the Baltimore and Ohio Railroads, within two hours’ ride of Baltimore and Washington.

The hotel is high above sea level, overlooking the highest range of the Blue Ridge Mountains. One could hardly wish for a more ideal spot to spend a vacation than Lewistown, Maryland, located in picturesque Frederick County.

The Lake View is a large six-story (some places say 4-story) concrete building, with roof garden and sun parlor, commanding an excellent view of the Blue Ridge Mountains, far famed for their beautiful scenery.  The hotel contains 50 rooms, baths and toilet rooms, also 25 private baths, making it the largest and one of the most modern houses in this section of the country. The bed rooms are all large and airy, newly furnished in the most up-to-date manner. We can accommodate 125 guests. The dining room is spacious, light and well ventilated. Cuisine under the personal attention of the proprietor. Piazza is large and shady and the hotel is lighted throughout with acetylene gas.

In connection with the house is a 200-acre farm, producing all varieties of fruits and vegetables, with which the table is abundantly supplied; plenty of fresh milk, eggs, poultry, etc., the best the country affords.

Aside from the lobby may be found smoking room for gentlemen, private parlor and writing room for ladies. For health, comfort and beauty of natural scenery, this place is second to none in the mountains of Western Maryland.”

The hotel is located 6 miles north of Frederick; rail transportation could bring pleasure seekers to a peaceful setting that featured a casino, hotel, and lake. Charles Remsburg was a native of nearby Lewistown, having grown up on a farm originally laid out by his grandfather, Jacob. In addition to the family trade of farming, Charles found success in the late 1800s goldfish boom and was one of the county’s largest exporters.  He was also an investor in the Westminster, Frederick, and Gettysburg Railroad, which would traverse property owned by his family. He obtained this land and created a scheme to cash in on the new trolley line that would connect Frederick and Thurmont.

In 1908, Charles merged his many fishponds and formed a lake in the shadow of the picturesque Catoctin Mountain to the west. He looked to capitalize on the rail transportation line’s ability to deliver visitors in the same manner as neighboring mountain retreats, such as Braddock Heights and Pen Mar Park.

The brochure also boasts an up-to-date livery where saddle and driving horses could be had at a moment’s notice; ladies riding suits to hire; croquet, tennis, dancing; rambles over the mountains; and a large shady lake for fishing. Those fond of motoring could find one of the best automobile roads in the country, leading from Washington and Baltimore to Pen Mar and Gettysburg, passing the door of the Lake View Hotel. Persons afflicted with tuberculosis were requested to not apply for accommodations. (The State Sanatorium at Sabillasville for TB patients opened in 1908.)

From an article in Frederick Daily News, September 10, 1908:

“The hotel featured an elaborate amusement center in the form of a casino (a 2-story building with a first-class skating rink and a beautiful dance hall. On the first floor were 4 bowling alleys, a pool room, and cloak and toilet rooms). Guests were invited to use the lake for bathing, swimming, and boating, as row boats were made readily available.

The Lake View Casino opened in early September 1908. The crowd was estimated to have been at least a thousand persons, over 300 from Frederick alone.  Many went in carriages and other vehicles from surrounding towns.

Not all persons who desired to skate could be accommodated, as only a portion of the number of skates ordered arrived.  They are expected shortly.”

Sadly, the full potential of the site was never realized, suffering a devastating fire two years later, just prior to the opening of the hotel in May 1910. Mr. Remsburg had grossly under-insured his building, and with the outlay for the hotel, he was not in the position to rebuild the casino.

Over the next four years, the Lake View Hotel hosted pleasure seekers, but would suffer the same fate as the casino on June 16, 1914. Just days before opening for the summer season, the hotel burned to the ground. This time, a faulty heating apparatus was to blame.

Mr. Remsburg gave up his endeavors in the hospitality resort business and went back to an enterprise that was decidedly “fireproof.” He returned to putting his full attention to the business of raising goldfish.

In 1916, the Maryland Conservation Commission assessed the state for future fish hatcheries, especially trout. The following year, Lewistown was selected for the commission’s first hatchery. The state also stocked Remsberg’s Lake View with a supply of small-mouth bass, crappie, and catfish.

Plans for the proposed Lewistown hatchery were drawn up during the fall of 1917, and by January 1918, a 22 x 44-foot temporary hatchery had been completed at the site, and 400,000 trout eggs had been placed into the new hatchery.

Lewistown Hatchery Today

Little remains today that would suggest the size of the hatchery operation that once existed until the early 1950s. A sign on Fish Hatchery Road, off U.S. 15 south, states: “Lewistown Trout Hatchery and Bass Ponds Frederick County – Purchased by State 1917” (shown right).

Mr. Remsburg’s influence would have a profound effect on the son of his next door neighbors, Milton and Rosanna Powell. Their son, Albert M. Powell, developed a love of fish, as well, and served as the longtime Superintendent of Maryland State Fish Hatcheries. The Albert Powell Hatchery is located in Hagerstown, Maryland. Construction of this facility began in 1946 and was completed in 1949.

From Powell’s obituary: “Albert M. Powell, Fisheries Expert of Lewistown, Maryland, died in February 1991 at Homewood Retirement Center at age 93. He was retired superintendent of inland fisheries, retiring in 1967, after working in the state’s freshwater fish program for more than 40 years and briefly for the U.S. Bureau of Fisheries. He had been a member of the American Fisheries Society, The Potomac Valley Fly Fishing Association, and the Frederick County Fish and Game Protective Association. He wrote a history of the state programs and became an expert on shipping live freshwater fish, sending one shipment of small mouth bass to South Africa.”

The next time you travel to or from Frederick on Route 15, you will understand the meaning of Powell Road and Fish Hatchery Road, and possibly remember the ill-fated Lake View Hotel and Casino.

The Lake View Hotel — 1908.