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Here's something a little different for this week's PHOTO FRIDAY post. From the image collection of the Historical Society of Harford County comes this unknown artist's rendering of the 1858 fire of the Bel Air Courthouse. The building in the background was the original Masonic lodge. The Courthouse and Masonic Lodge were both rebuilt. The Lodge was eventually demolished when the Courthouse was expanded.
Do you have a photo to share for an upcoming Photo Friday? Email us at photos@harfordhistory.org!
That's when a lot of Harford County records were lost to the fire.
Was the cause of the fire identified?
On November 7th at 2pm, Author and Historian Doug Washburn will tell the fascinating story of this unique community once known as the Land of Nodd. Enjoy the many photographs and tales from this village and the village’s bygone days
www.harfordhistory.org/product/archer-lecture-douglas-washburn-shares-the-story-of-jarrettsville/
www.harfordhistory.org
November 7th at 2pm, Author and Historian Doug Washburn tells the fascinating story of this unique community once known as the Land of Nodd. Enjoy the many photographs and tales from this village and ...Ghost in the Machine!
Well, it's not surprising that in this Halloween month we experienced a "ghost in the machine" during our Divided Union Q & A webinar.
Thanks to that unknown mischievous spirit, and despite our best intentions, Jeff Smart's October 13th session was not recorded.
So, that glitch coupled with new questions that have arrived, has prompted us to schedule Divided Union Q & A Part II!
Please join us on Thursday, October 22nd at 10:00 AM for more discussion of Harford in the Civil War.
If you have already paid, no action is required on your part. The Society will send you an invitation to join the webinar.
If you missed it, here is your chance to logon and ask Mr. Smart your questions.
You still have time to register for the Divided Union Q & A Part II. The link is active in the shopping cart.
Or
Simply click this link to register.
www.harfordhistory.org/product/divided-union-qa-part-2/
Divided Union: Q&A Part II - The Historical Society of Harford County
www.harfordhistory.org
This is your opportunity to be part of the discussion on Harford’s role in the Civil War. Questions for Mr. Smart may also be submitted to Virtual@HarfordHistory.org prior to the Q&A session.IT'S PHOTO FRIDAY! Today's photo showcases the Ma & Pa Railroad station that stood on North Main St across from what is now the Mill at Bel Air. This photo was taken around 1911. The railway served the postal service, canneries, dairy farmers and passengers traveling to the Teachers College (aka Towson University), shopping district on Howard Street in Baltimore and travelers for day trips in the country.
We want to see your photos! If you have a Harford County photo to share, email us at photos@harfordhistory.org!
Alas, when our house burned in 1961 we lost ALL of our historic photos and most of our family’s, as well. So I enjoy seeing these online and I can remember some images we lost long ago. Much appreciated!
Which window leads to Walter H’s bedroom? 🚂
Love it
Cool
Reminder! Tomorrow, join Jeff Smart as he answers your questions about Harford County in the Civil War on Tuesday, October 13 at 2:00 PM. This will be a Live event.
Visit the link below to register for this fascinating event and you'll have the chance to ask Jeff your own questions. Registration will close tomorrow morning at 10 AM.
www.harfordhistory.org/.../qa-webinar-divided-union/
You can view Jeff’s Divided Union presentations anytime on the Historical Society of Harford County's YouTube channel. The link can be found in the upper right corner of the website. Or the YouTube link below.
www.youtube.com/channel/UCKlyZ8mFfxaEE2dVY0byWkg
Q&A Webinar: Divided Union - The Historical Society of Harford County
www.harfordhistory.org
This is your opportunity to be part of the discussion on Harford’s role in the Civil War. Questions for Mr. Smart may also be submitted to Virtual@HarfordHistory.org prior to the Q&A session.Reminder: If you haven't registered yet, join us for a live online Genealogy Workshop: Family History Month Presentation on Saturday, October 10, 2020. Click the link below to register.
October 10th, 2020 - Genealogy Workshop - The Historical Society of Harford County
www.harfordhistory.org
Join us for an online Genealogy Workshop: Family History Month Presentation on Saturday, October 10, 2020. This complimentary workshop will include presentations by Mike Dixon, Owen Laurie, Mary Schwe...IT'S PHOTO FRIDAY! In support of the Historical Society's Oct. 10th online genealogy event, we present this image of the John Gross family.
John Gross owned two farms, the first of which was located at Sharon. That farm was the site of the famous Sharon Trestle of the Ma & Pa rail line.
It was known as the tallest and most curved trestle, and the excursion trains would drop visitors off there so that they could photograph the train as it crossed the trestle.
Gross later relocated to Jarrettsville where this photo was taken. He is standing closest to the porch. His wife is to his right. Others in the photo are unidentified.
Do you have a photo to share for an upcoming photo Friday? E-mail us at photos@harfordhistory.org!
John Gross
I think you are referring to the famous "Gross Trestle" (often mislabeled as the Sharon Trestle...which was a much smaller trestle a little north of Gross).
Would this photo been taken around 1885? I’m trying to date it, using clothing as a guide.
You are teasing us. Is this home still standing? Year of photo?
Do you have a picture of the Sharon trestle? Please post if so
Susan Stevenson is this your grparents side
Reminder! Tomorrow, join Jeff Smart as he answers your questions about Harford County in the Civil War on Tuesday, October 13 at 2:00 PM. This will be a Live event.
Visit the link below to register for this fascinating event and you'll have the chance to ask Jeff your own questions. Registration will close tomorrow morning at 10 AM.
www.harfordhistory.org/.../qa-webinar-divided-union/
You can view Jeff’s Divided Union presentations anytime on the Historical Society of Harford County's YouTube channel. The link can be found in the upper right corner of the website. Or the YouTube link below.
www.youtube.com/channel/UCKlyZ8mFfxaEE2dVY0byWkg
Q&A Webinar: Divided Union - The Historical Society of Harford County
www.harfordhistory.org
This is your opportunity to be part of the discussion on Harford’s role in the Civil War. Questions for Mr. Smart may also be submitted to Virtual@HarfordHistory.org prior to the Q&A session.The Society's annual "yard sale" is one of our most popular fundraisers and we know that many of you were disappointed that we were not able host the event this year.
As a result, we are trying something new! Our "yard sale" is going virtual. We've chosen some of the "finer finds" from the many generous donated items and have created a virtual sale.
You'll find housewares, children's items, collectibles, Longaberger baskets, china, glassware, furniture and more, all reasonably priced and ready to be purchased.
So, start your Christmas shopping or treat yourself!
All proceeds from the sales, as always, go to support the work of the Society.
All items in the Virtual Yard Sale are sold as-is, local pick-up only, we will not ship purchased goods. All sales are final.
Virtual Yardsale - The Historical Society of Harford County
www.harfordhistory.org
The COVID-19 situation caused the cancellation of our popular annual summer “yard sale” however, with so many donated items ready and waiting for eager shoppers, we’ve created a virtual store wh...Catherine Roberts Thorsten-Thomas Courtney Hastings Julie Shenton Peters Pam Gregory
IT'S PHOTO FRIDAY!
In Honor of tomorrow's running of the Preakness Stakes we feature the late Adolphe Pons, founder of Bel Air's Country Life Farm.
Located on Route 1, Country Life Farm is the oldest thoroughbred breeding farm in the State of Maryland. Other prominent thoroughbred farms located here in Harford County include Bonita Farm, Elberton Hill Farm, and Murmur Farm. Harford County was once home to two thoroughbred race tracks- Havre de Grace aka "The Graw", and the Bel Air Race Track which is now the site of the Harford Mall. Some of the sport's most prominent horses ran at Havre de Grace including Citation and Man o' War. In 1983 Bonita Farm's Deputed Testamony (sic) won the Preakness Stakes for the Boniface family.
Do you have a photo to share for an upcoming PHOTO FRIDAY? Email us at photos@harfordhistory.org!
that tex was from my mother in law
I wish I could remember my grandfather, he died on Christmas Day when I was a year old. He was quite an incredible man!
Wow! What a great family legacy. Thanks for sharing!
A great heritage for Josh and Andy
My grandfather was an awesome man I spent quite a few times at the track with him. Bobbie Pons
Love these local histories.
Mu ked a few stalls at CLF.
I had a descendant of Saggy.
