An original artwork of the preamble to the Constitution, created for the We Are America march by artist Lucy Larkin, displayed at Laurel Presbyterian Church on September 17. Marchers and supporters were invited to sign the canvas artwork. (Photo: Diane Mezzanotte) The nationwide protests that made headlines throughout 2025 might have brought back memories from the 1960s and 70s for many Laurel residents—some of whom brushed off their sign-making skills from 60 years ago and t

These short bits of history tend to pile up as I do more research on various topics. Unless otherwise credited, all quotes are from the Laurel Leader . 1907 In June, the Leader  ran the photo of Laurel’s military band shown above. 1918 In March, “Rev. and Mrs. H.C. Bird recently entertained 85 soldiers from Camp Laurel. Later Mr. and Mrs. E.L. Pettit entertained 75 soldiers. At both homes, coffee, cake, and sandwiches were served. There is no scarcity of musical talent in the

The Washington Branch of the Baltimore and Ohio (B&O) Railroad, which opened in 1835, was routed to pass near the Savage Factory and its nearby granite quarries. This proximity was an opportunity for Amos A. Williams, who was a director of both the B&O and the Savage Manufacturing Company, to promote his business interests. He saw the railroad as a reliable and efficient way to transport the company’s products. Amos had already fabricated thousands of rail chairs, used to sec

In May 1942 a group of young U.S. Army Rangers on a field in Fort Meade stood at rapt attention as their 5'5'-tall, 136-pound instructor ordered a trainee to charge at him with his rifle and bayonet. “Come on, boy, like you mean business!” shouted the bald instructor, who held a short length of rope between his hands. The soldier did as ordered and lunged at the instructor. But in just a few seconds, the soldier lay flat on his back, tied up with the rope. Even though the ins

Charlie Nickell Shares Photos and Memories From the Beloved Restaurant That His Family Owned for 32 Years When the popular Big T closed...

The idea of townspeople forming a posse conjures up images of cowboys in the old west on horseback going after desperadoes who robbed a...

If you’ve ever navigated a paddleboat on Laurel Lake, played at Discovery Park, or struck a yoga pose at the Armory, you’re one of...

These short bits of history tend to pile up as I do more research on various topics. Unless otherwise credited, all quotes are from the...

(Photos courtesy of Barry Walters) The following remarks were given by Barry Walters on January 10, 2025, at the Maryland State Police...

Clippings from the Laurel Leader  tell the story of the Laurel Jewish Congregation’s struggle to establish a synogogue in Montpelier in...

Mark Opsasnick’s incredibly researched book, Rock the Potomac , is chock-full of stories and biographies of the people and groups who...

No matter the decade, Terps found refuges and ‘Rendezvous’ points on College Park’s Main Street Photos courtesy of University of Maryland...

These short bits of history tend to pile up as I do more research on various topics. Unless otherwise credited, all quotes are from the...

Mark Opsasnick’s incredibly researched book, Rock the Potomac , is chock-full of stories and biographies of the people and groups who...

(Photo: Courtesy of Merriweather Post Pavilion) PART 2 — SEEING RED Violence and vandalism at rock concerts were not the only issues the...

Early Baltimore and Ohio Railroad passenger equipment of the 1830s, displayed at the B&O Railroad Museum in Baltimore. (Photo: JG Howes)...

These short bits of history tend to pile up as I do more research on various topics. Unless otherwise credited, all quotes are from the...

Mark Opsasnick’s incredibly researched book, Rock the Potomac , is chock-full of stories and biographies of the people and groups who...

Many long-time Laurelites remember 1994 as the year that Jack Kent Cooke sought to bring a Redskins stadium to Laurel adjacent to the...

The year 1970 was a tumultuous one for area fans of rock concerts. Merriweather Post Pavilion, the outdoor music venue in Columbia, was...