by James Rada, Jr.

March 1921, 100 Years Ago

Will Institute Lodge

To-night, March 31, a Rebekah Lodge, an organization growing out of the I. O. O. F., will be instituted in Thurmont. This organization is composed principally of ladies–wives, sisters and mothers of Odd Fellows. Girls over 18 years of age and not of Odd Fellow parentage are also admitted. Samaritan Rebekah Lodge of Frederick will come to Thurmont by special car to confer the degrees. The work will be given in Town Hall. The President and Secretary of the Rebekah Assembly of Baltimore will be present and perhaps several Grand Lodge officers of the I. O. O. F.

                                          – Catoctin Clarion, March 31, 1921

March 1946, 75 Years Ago

Break Ground For New Shoe Factory Today

Construction of a new $65,000 shoe plant in Emmitsburg is scheduled to start within the next few weeks, L. E. Beaudin, owner of the establishment, announced today.

The plant, which was brought to Emmitsburg through the efforts of the Emmitsburg Lions Club, will be the third Beaudin branch to be constructed, with other plants previously located at Hanover and Fairfield. The Emmitsburg branch will employ “between 225 and 250 people,” the Hanover manufacturer said.

                                          – Gettysburg Times, March 21, 1946

March 1971, 50 Years Ago

County Commissioners Okay School Addition Here

The Frederick County Commissioners revealed this week that the $4.5 million bonding authority they have requested for school construction in fiscal 1972 will be used to finance at least five school construction projects, including full funding of the Emmitsburg addition and renovation.

Funds for construction of this project were not included in the school superintendent’s construction request presented to the school board last week, and Dr. John L. Carnochan told the commissioners that funding of the Middletown Elementary School is considered a higher priority item than the Emmitsburg School in his opinion.

                                          – Emmitsburg Chronicle, March 12, 1971

March 1996, 25 Years Ago

Water Talks Between Mount Saint Mary’s and Emmitsburg

The supply and distribution of water in the town has been a nagging problem for the past several years. The limited number of available water taps has curtailed growth and development in some parts of the town.

In order to clarify the situation, the town council commissioned Smith Engineering Technologies to study the water problems and recommend plans of action. The study was based on estimated water demand over the next 20 years for both the town and Mount Saint Mary’s.

                          – The Emmitsburg Regional Dispatch, March 1996