Aloha to Ellicott City (part 2) - Antiques Roadshow

Ellicott City is known for its antique shopping ... an innovative collector transformed a paint shop into "vintage chic". 

Royal Doulton is known for its "Toby" jugs ... above is Tom Pearce from the Widecombe Fair:

Tom Pearce, Tom Pearce, lend me your grey mare.
All along, down along, out along lea.
For I want for to go to Widecombe Fair,
With Bill Brewer, Jan Stewer, Peter Gurney,
Peter Davy, Dan'l Whiddon, Harry Hawke,
Old Uncle Tom Cobley and all,
Old Uncle Tom Cobley and all.

Widecombe-in-the-Moor is a quaint village nestled in Dartmoor National Park, Devon, England.  My grandmother hails from Devon and often treated me to picnics on Dartmoor.  We would walk down to Widecombe for an ice cream treat, singing the song.   Funny how a piece of pottery brings back a flood of childhood memories.

Another memory - Victorian "balloon back" chairs.   I have two from my grandmother's house that are currently in storage. Once our stuff in storage is delivered, my house will be eclectic mix with European furniture, Asian art, and Hawaiian lei.

This purple "holder" had a tag with the following suggestion:

For candles, cupcakes, and Ravens bobbleheads.

The Baltimore Ravens' primary color is purple, thus proving that football has even permeated antique shopping!

One shop occupies a four story historic home on Main Street.

I loved how the proprietor transformed the small rooms into creative showcases.   Do you like antique shopping/browsing?

Mahalo,

Kim in Baltimore
Aloha Spirit in Charm City

Perfect for a picnic in the Highlands ....

Aloha to Ellicott City (part 1) - Historic Town

Ellicott City is the seat of Howard County.   From Wikipedia,

In 1772, three Quaker brothers from Bucks County, Pennsylvania, chose the picturesque wilderness, upriver from Elk Ridge Landing to establish a flour mill. John, Andrew, and Joseph Ellicott founded Ellicott's Mills, which became one of the largest milling and manufacturing towns in the East.

In 1830, Ellicott's Mills became the first terminus of the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad outside Baltimore. The station, built of huge blocks of locally quarried granite, stands today as a living history museum, and has been designated a National Historic Landmark by the U.S. Department of the Interior. It bears the designation as the "Oldest surviving railroad station in America".

My adventure began at the Thomas Isaac Cabin, built in 1780. 

Volunteers offer commentary to the small room depicting early Colonial life.

Behind the cabin, a local band celebrated the end of a charity run. 

Walking towards town, I discovered a book shop ...

... in the former Disney Tavern! 

Modern amenities, such as electric power lines, detract from the vintage look of this Colonial town.

The Colonial homes have been converted into small businesses, such as silver shop ...

... a hair salon ...

... tea room ...

... and family restaurant.  

The Catholic church stands guard over the city.   It is noteworthy that Charles Carroll contributed to Maryland's development in Colonial America - Carroll is the only Catholic signer of the Declaration of Independence.

Back to Wikipedia,

Like Rome, Ellicott City is claimed to be built on seven hills. These hills lie southeast of the Historic District, which is on the banks of the Patapsco River. Continuing the Rome analogy, the small tributary of the Patapsco that forms the narrow valley followed by Main Street is named the Tiber River. Several deep stream valleys converge at this location, which increases the risk of flooding but at the same time creates the town's dramatic heights. Historic Ellicott City sits on Ordovician granite whose outcrops can be seen lining Main Street.

 The Firehouse Museum sits atop of one hill ...

... offering a glimpse of a time gone by.  

One resident created her own garden among the town's granite buildings. 

What is the history of your town/county/state?   

Mahalo,

Kim in Baltimore
Aloha Spirit in Charm City 

  

Next post:  Antique shopping in Ellicott City

Aloha to Savage, Maryland

I walked into "town" ... 

 ... to mail last week's prizes.  I introduced myself to the postmaster as the "book lady" who will become a regular fixture at the post office! 

Although the town lies in the shadows of the former mill - turned - boutique shopping, Savage has its own unique charm.

The town park offers a glimpse of a time gone by where folks gathered on the common green.

The Carroll Baldwin Hall once served as a library .... 

... and it is just around the corner from Ma's Kettle.  The postmaster noted its BBQ earned its reputation.

The town boasts numerous historic homes ... 

... with the above home now serving as Solomon's Lodge.

On my way back to my neighborhood, I passed the Weiss supermarket ... I was intrigued by the Jewish Apple Cake.

Berger cookies are a Baltimore favorite that pack on the creme and calories!   Do you like BBQ?  Have you tried Jewish Apple Cake?  Can a cookie have too much chocolate?

Mahalo,

Kim in Baltimore
Aloha Spirit in Charm City

Aloha to Savage Mill

We found a townhouse in Howard County, Maryland.  Above is a historic house in my neighborhood.  From the county's website (link),

Howard County is located between Baltimore and Washington in the “heart” of Maryland and was named after John Eager Howard, a Revolutionary War hero and the fifth Governor of Maryland. There is a sense of pride in Howard County in our rich and diverse history. Originally a farming community with the thriving mill town of Ellicott City and the busy shipping port in Elkridge Landing, today’s Howard County is a successful blend of old and new, urban and rural.

The urban can be seen from the I-95 overpass.

We live near Savage Mill.  From its website (link),

In 1820, Amos Williams and his three brothers borrowed $20,000.00 from their friend John Savage to start a textile weaving business on the banks of the Little Patuxent River. The water from the river flowed over a huge 30 foot water wheel which powered the machines that wove the cloth. They named the business Savage Mill after their generous friend. It functioned as a working textile Mill from 1822 to 1947.

Between 1947 and 1950, the entire Mill was turned into a Christmas Display Village. Christmas tree ornaments were manufactured and a miniature B&O Railroad train transported visitors to and from the Route 1 parking area. There was also a one ring circus in the huge New Weave Room.

The Winer family bought the mill in 1950. It was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1974.

The historic complex of buildings with over 175,000 square feet is now home to major collector quality antique centers, home furnishing stores, craft galleries, artist studios, specialty shops, destination restaurants and banquet facilities.

I enjoyed the metal sculpture greeting the parking lot.

I recall from our previous assignment to Fort Meade that Savage Mill hosted a Polish Pottery Mart (link) ...

... and it is still selling unique pottery from Boleslawiec, Poland (military spouses in Europe drive by the bus loads to purchase this high quality dinnerware).

I was curious about the Terrapin Adventures ....

... it offers rope climbing and zip lining.   The terrapin is a turtle that serves as the UM mascot.

Look what I found back inside the mill ...

... and the antique store was equally entertaining.  For $8000, you can own this skeleton rocking chair!

I followed the smell of fresh bread to Bonaparte Bakery (link). I'll keep these extra large croissants in mind for my next coffee date.  

I was curious about the clock store ... 

 

... which reminded me of the time in my belowed Hawaii.

Do you have a historic area near you?

Mahalo,

Kim in Baltimore
Aloha Spirit in Charm City