Historic Photos of North Chesapeake City, part 19

Historic Photos of North Chesapeake City, part 19

Inside the old American Store, once located in what is now Pell Gardens, on the corner across from Hole-in-the-Wall. Note cost of items in 1926. Pictured here: Mark Alcorn & Lewis Collins, Sr. Photo was taken in 1926, courtesy of Lewis Collins, Jr.

The Trinity Methodist Church, at its present site – built in 1889. Raymond Whiteoak, Sr. told me this anecdote about the construction of the Methodist Church: “My grandfather hauled building materials with a team of horses and a wagon. He hauled all of the materials used for building the Methodist Church in Chesapeake City, the one on Bohemia Avenue and Third Street. Well, he would drop off the materials to the workers. Then he’d go get liquor and get them all drunk. Not many people know that their church was built by workers drinking my grandfather’s whiskey.” The members I recognize in the photo are Thomas Foard, Roy Foard, and Lewis Collins, Sr. Let me know if you recognize any others?

 

Ralph Oil Company truck with Bobby Vaught, driver. Bobby was always very friendly and helpful. Photo is from his daughter, Betty.

Historic Photos of North Chesapeake City, part 18

Historic Photos of North Chesapeake City, part 18

George “Reds” Gorman outside of his general store and service station, on Biddle Street, across from Collins’ store, circa 1951.

Another view of Gorman’s store and station. He sold wonderful hand-dipped ice cream. Eleanor Benson Northrup told me her husband, Ralph, helped Mr. Gorman in his store the day the Chesapeake City lift bridge was hit by the freighter, Franz Klassen. She said that he came home that night with sore wrists from dipping so much ice cream for the many visitors who came to see the bridge destruction.

Collins’ Market at the 400 Block of Biddle Street in circa 1970 – Miriam Carlton Ohrel worked for Mr. Lewis Collins, Sr. for years. Note town’s first ambulance. Photo courtesy of Lewis Collins, Jr.

Historic Photos of North Chesapeake City, part 17

Historic Photos of North Chesapeake City, part 17

The ladies auxiliary parading down Lock Street during a firemen’s carnival. Do you know any of these ladies? The first girl with the flag could be Janet Krastel Collins, circa 1954.

A poster for the firemen’s carnival, circa 1950. I used to walk across our overhead bridge to attend these terrific carnivals.

Harold Reynolds on the merry-go-round he made. Mr. Reynolds made all of the many carnival rides in those days.

Historic Photos of North Chesapeake City, part 16

Historic Photos of North Chesapeake City, part 16

  

The catch of the day, with Wilson Reynolds, Frank Bristow, and John Schaefer. These rock fish would make great dinners in the old Schaefer’s Restaurant, circa 1959.

Hatties Inn, now the site of Harold Reynolds’ property – Biddle Street Extension. Hatties Inn had one of the first TV sets on the North Side. My girlfriend, Dolores Carlton, still talks about watching Arthur Godfrey while eating lunch there with her mom and dad. Note members of the Van den Heuvel family posing in the foreground, circa 1948.

Nola’s Bar, north of the firehouse on the east side of Lock Street, with Nola Knotts posing. Nola’s husband, George Knotts, worked for the Corps of Engineers and operated the lift bridges on the canal in the 1930s. I think the building still stands. I’ve never tasted Arrow beer; have you? The bar was very popular in the 1940s, photo circa 1941.