Tag Archives: POLITICS

Saving History, One Piece at a Time

16 Friday Jun 2017

Posted by in Baltimore, HISTORY, water history

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Anyone that has been following my blog will remember my writing about a few construction projects that are water related. Such as the new buildings at Loch Raven, the contractor busting a hole in the ten foot conduit that supplies water to Baltimore, another contractor digging up the foundation to an old pumping station, the attempts to save the Clifton Gate House, the Roland Tower, the residence at Montebello, etc.

When I first wrote about the work along Loch Raven, I wrote about the house and buildings they were tearing down. After being notified of this project, I went to investigate and saw a bunch of metal signs. Not necessarily ultra historic, but a part of Baltimore’s Water Supply History nonetheless. I was able to retrieve from the contractor, 2 of the 8 that were there. The other six were taken by a company the reuses old building materials.

Here is one of the eight signs. This all happened a few months ago. The other day I received an email. One of those courtesy type ones from the big bosses downtown, trying to keep me in the history loop. Well, I was dumbfounded when I read the email. It just said FYI and had the attached photo along with two other attachments.

I couldn’t believe what I was seeing! This photo is of the marble plaque that was in the original 1881 gate house to the first Loch Raven Dam!!! i always wondered what happened to this thing.

The third attachment is a quote, only partially shown to protect the parties involved. Two marble plaques? The quote went on to say that the other one was dated 1887!! Holy crap! Only one water works related to Loch Raven was built at that time and that was the Clifton Gate House!! My eyes were playing tricks on me!! This couldn’t be!

But wait! How did this company get these things and were they really trying to sell them back to the City? City property??!! I don’t think I ever cussed in an email to one of the bosses downtown but I just couldn’t contain myself “What the hell! This is City property. How can they charge us for something that is ours?!” I suggested he gets the Environmental Police involved to check this out. If not, tell them I will give them $500 and we won’t press charges. He said he turned it over to the EP. And he did. Today I received a copy of the investigative report stating that these items were picked up by accident and would be returned to the City. And they were this afternoon!!

More on this later so stay tuned! (I want to go into a lengthy bit of comment on what we should learn from this…)

When they were giving out brains, you thought they said trains…

30 Tuesday May 2017

Posted by in Baltimore, engineering, water history

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Contractor on site called me over once again because they hit something unknown.

Turned out to be a set of train tracks from original construction 1913-1915.

As can be seen here, there were a lot of tracks laid for construction. These veer off to the right to hook up with the ones below.

In this photo, lower right is about where the tracks are that the contractor dug up. I told them they would have to suspend their work until I talk with the historical people – these may be the tracks that President Woodrow Wilson’s train was on during his visit when the plant opened in 1915. Not. Montebello Lake is in the background.

Random Archives

04 Thursday May 2017

Posted by in Baltimore, HISTORY, Sewage History

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Sorting and documenting more archives from the DPW Museum.

January 24, 1884 Letter from the office of J.E. Clark & Co., Wholesale Liquor Dealers, No. 48 S. Howard St. Baltimore to Hon (Honorable) (Mayor) F.E. Latrobe: Dr. (Dear) Sir, We take pleasure in recommending hon (honorable) Jas. McFarland for the position of Inspector of Weights and Measures! From our long acquaintance with him, we can endorse him as a man of strict honor & integrity and should you appoint him, we feel satisfied he will give general satisfaction to the trade. Respectfully Yours J. E. Clark & Co.

May 15, 1923 Letter from Stehley Plumbing to the Mayor and the sewerage engineer Ruark asking for a sanitary sewer in the alley, houses along Hamilton Ave. and ? (Where Remmell Ave. is now)(Not sure if initials in upper right are Mayor Broening’s? Note says to notify plumber when plans are completed).

I looked on a few maps and still cannot find the name of the intersection that 3815 Hamilton Ave. was at back then. Someone once asked me when did Northeast Baltimore get a sewer system? It was about this time.

A photo I posted on Facebook a couple years ago, showing Sewerage Maintenance trucks and workers back in 1928, parked in front of the Baltimore Stadium.

Democrats doing the Hip-Hop back in 1900! I looked up the 21st District to see where the China Hall was located. Found China Alley but no Hall.

Clifton Gate House – Update

19 Wednesday Apr 2017

Posted by in Baltimore, Gate House, water history

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Back in July 2016 I wrote about the renewed interest in doing something with the Lake Clifton Gate House. A farmers market, a cafe, a historical showcase for the water department, etc. The other day I received an email to attend a meeting on another proposal, submitted by Civic Works and their vision for the Valve House (Note: Valve House and Gate House are interchangeable when talking about this structure – Pump House is not – it never had pumps in it). Attached to the proposal was this photograph:

I thought to myself, how the heck did I miss this driving back and forth to City Lights?? Well, this didn’t happen. It is a piece of art. “This is an animation of a specific artist’s winning proposal to mount this public art installation. BOPA is hoping that the installation will be able to move forward under the watchful eye of Civic Works.”

Here is an excerpt from John, at Civic Works, on their proposal for the Gate House:

When the Valve House is renovated and attractively landscaped, it will attract people who pause for pastry, coffee, ultra-local freshly harvested foods and flowers, art and stories of Baltimore. Stories from our past, presented here, will be outshined by news of the structured opportunities, offered “next door” for careers in the expanding green business sectors.

As the renovations to the Valve House are fully realized, the adjacent Lake Clifton campus will become the operational base for Baltimore Center for Green Careers, Civic Works Food and Farm programs and other pathways to prosperity. In the coming decades, these two work in harmony – the information packed social hub and the sustainable-jobs work preparation center.

I personally think this is a great idea! And I really hope it happens.

Here is a 1927 aerial of Lake Clifton and its relation to Lake Montebello. Clifton being the one at the bottom. Water flowed from the dam at the Gunpowder Falls, via a 7 mile tunnel to Montebello, then by conduit to Clifton, at which point it was dispersed to the city.

From the 1970s showing the interior of the Gate House with the water chambers covered over with wood.

The reverse of the above photo, from the Sunpaper files showing that back in 1970 there was an interest in restoring the Gate House.

Another 1970s Sunpaper photo showing the stained glass windows nearly intact. Most have since been broken out. (Note:Photos from my personal collection)

Lewis M Keizer Farm

24 Friday Feb 2017

Posted by in HISTORY, water history

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I was called up to Loch Raven today because the contractor punched a hole through the ten foot water supply conduit, but that is a another story for another time. A lot of finger pointing going on so I should stay quiet for now…

Anyway, while up there one of the laborers approached me and asked if I was the history guy and did I want to see something? Ok. He showed me the below stone:

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This is a nice sized marker (I hope it’s not part of a grave marker!) I recognized the name from some research I had done. So I did a quick look to see what I could find. I asked two of the workers there to load it onto my truck for me. Below are 2 photos of the old farm in 1921.

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This was when the city was buying up all the property around the Gunpowder Falls for the watershed, to raise the dam.

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It was a nice farm and the city didn’t tear it down, instead they used it as can be seen in the below excerpts:

1880 record of land acquisition and plat.
October 19, 1922 letter from assistant engineer Browne to Loch Raven resident engineer Allen, “…Megraw here today…you were to appoint a watchman for the Keiser property…a man who is now employed by Keiser known as Arc [Tracry]. Please permit me to tell you that this man has a (?) rep in this vicinity…he is a common thief. He has also deserted his wife and is living openly here in a city house with another woman…” October 23, 1922 letter, marked at top “Confidential Department Business” from assistant engineer Browne to Loch Raven Resident Engineer Allen, “I wish to advise you that [darkey] on Keiser property is about to move some property from such place during next day or so.”
November 6, 1922 memo from assistant Engineer Brown to Resident Engineer Allen, “The negro Henderson, former farm hand for Mr. Keiser, has visited this property and endeavored to start a row here. All due to his not moving his things…he comes and takes what he wants…need some direction from you as to what to do.”
January 23, 1928 letter to Armstrong from Rost, “Kindly permit Doctor Stuart Cassard to inspect the Keiser property (Near Phoenix, Loch Raven watershed). April 21, 1928 request from Girls Vocational School for tours of both Loch Raven and Montebello. July 3, 1928 letter, “To Whom It May Concern, This letter gives authority to bearer, Mr. G.S. Koller…and party to use the grounds of the Keiser property…for an outing. The request for this permission was endorsed by Mr. McKeldin, secretary to Mayor Broening.” October 10, 1928 another letter giving permission to inspect Keiser property, including the mansion house.
A different Keizer farm but a head scratcher never the less: May 17, 1948 letter from Fenwick Keyser to Small: Becoming involved with such people is a profitless occupation. They would only retaliate by harming my cattle, my dogs, or setting fire to farm buildings. All of the neighbors who own their homes around me are sober, industrious people. We are all on the best of terms. We do not shoot each other’s dogs or heap abuse on each other. I have tried to get along with your tenants. A few months ago I rounded up the escaped goats owned by the renter in the old Kiser place. He replied by killing our pet cat a few weeks later.

Nice history! But as can be seen in the 1928 note, the property was at Phoenix so what was this marker doing where the laborer found it? Eight miles away as the crow flies? A Google search also shows that Lewis Keizer had 3 patents for engine carburetors.

Major Payne (Not Damon Wayans)

23 Monday Jan 2017

Posted by in Baltimore, Health, HISTORY

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Folded letter of 1832 found in the archives. Benjamin was the son of John Eager Howard. Major Payne commanding the fort during the cholera epidemic?

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Front of folded letter:

Postmark, Jun 14 City of Washington
Free (postage)
Benj. C. Howard
To: William Steuart, Esq.
Mayor of Baltimore

“Letter from B.C. Howard Esq., on the subject of Quarantine Laws
June 14th, 1832”

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The letter:

House of Representatives
June 14, 1832

Dr. Sir,
I received this morning your letter of yesterday enclosing a correspondence between the Health officer and Major Payne which I laid before the proper Department; and am informed that an order will be transmitted immediately to produce the result which you desire, of obtaining the aid of troops in Fort McHenry –

I am Respectfully Yours,
Benj. C. Howard (Benjamin Chew Howard)

William Steuart Esq.
Mayor

Scrap Booking DPW

20 Friday Jan 2017

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Scanned some scrap books from the Museum Archives. Most of the good stuff is usually on the reverse side of what the person glued, taped, stapled, into the book. On occasion, I do find some interesting and/or noteworthy articles. These two were from a DPW scrapbook that looks like the director put together. Mostly, the book documents snow storms and traffic.

In light of today’s events, I found this one interesting. While Baltimore was being covered by a snowstorm, the Mayor and his staff were in Washington DC for what is referred to as the “Kennedy Festivities”. The VP of the City Council tried to reach the acting mayor, who also left the city for DC. The Director and other higher ups in the political food chain were sleeping. So Willie D (William Donald Schaefer) took matters into his own hands. Schaefer later became the City Council President, followed by becoming Mayor and then Governor of Maryland.

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On the same page as this was an interesting article from the News Post. The title is a little confusing – if I take these pills, will I like my boss or ‘be’ like my boss?? In any event, Nation of Librium, enjoy your day and your new boss.

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Snow, Street Sweepers, Storm Water and Sewage

06 Friday Jan 2017

Posted by in Baltimore, HISTORY, Sewage History

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The snows are upon us and as I drive to work and notice the gutters and storm drains, I think of what it was like years past…

1881 A great defect is observable in the streets of our city, namely: the surface drainage. House sweepings, kitchen slops, etc., find their way into the open gutters; pools of water collect at various depressed points, giving rise to miasms and odors that are anything but conducive to health during the hot weather, and in winter time invade the adjoining pavements by extension of layers, forming broad sheets of ice, dangerous to life and limb. All of this nuisance can be obviated, and the streets kept dry and free from offensive and pestilential odors, and sidewalks free from ice, by a proper system of sewerage. The present sewers of our city are not self-cleansing, and in consequence thereof there is imposed upon this department an immense amount of work, for which there should be given a sufficient sum to thoroughly clean and disinfect them.
1885 It occurs to me to say, that I think the emptying, during the winter season, of snow and ice out from the streets into the lower Falls, is a vicious practice, and should be henceforth prohibited. It creates bars of the filthiest street mud and refuse, which fill up the Falls and disfigure the walls until late in the Spring.
1908 Investigations show that large deposits (trash) are being formed in numbers of the existing drains, caused by street sweepings.
1911 A considerable portion of the dirt which finds its way into the sewers goes in through the un-trapped inlets, and it is a matter of common knowledge that the street cleaners, in order to lighten somewhat their labors, are accustomed to pushing the street sweepings into the inlets, thus allowing large quantities of dirt to be washed into the sewers. It must be borne in mind, however, that it is much more expensive to remove deposits of dirt from the sewers by hand than it is to remove them from the surfaces of the streets by carts.

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Baltimore’s White Wing street sweepers.

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Newer version, Hokey Cart street sweeper (Does he really look to be the type to just push his sweepings into the storm drains?)

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That’s a lot of salt which will eventually head into the Chesapeake Bay.

1908 Baltimore

30 Friday Dec 2016

Posted by in Baltimore, HISTORY

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More scanning of Museum stuff – came across this photo on pressed cardboard. Looking north on Guilford Street (Ave.)

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Looking close you can see the elevated trolley tracks just past City Hall.

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I use to be good at figuring out what the writing on the back of old photos said, but this I am unsure of? “View from ? Bank after ?” No idea of what it says in the circle? Bottom word looks like ‘subway’??

The Gunpowder Falls and Battle Monument

21 Wednesday Dec 2016

Posted by in Baltimore, water history

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When the permanent water supply from the Gunpowder Falls was built, it included a dam at Loch Raven, a 12′ tunnel approximately 7 miles long, an impounding reservoir at Montebello, another conduit from there to Lake Clifton and then it was distributed to the public as unfiltered, yet wholesome drinking water.

Photo from the 1920s showing the original 1881 gate house at Loch Raven

How the gate house area looked in 2011.

When they eventually removed the gate house, they kept some of the original stone and built this somewhat mini-monument to the Permanent Supply, across the street.

The supply is finished and the valves are opened. This is downtown Baltimore at the Battle Monument. Caption reads: Fountain and Cataract – Monument Square – The Introduction of the Gunpowder Water Supply – Oct. 10th 1881