History Crumbs

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 different companies, and the soldiers have proved themselves most able entertainers by their singing and playing.”

In May, a notice was published “To All Tutons” stating that “All Females Over 14 years Old Must Register.” In the hyper-patriotic times of World War I, “All natives, citizens, denizens or subjects of the German Empire or of the Imperial German Government, being females of the age of 14 years and upwards, who are within the United States, and not actually naturalized as American citizens, are required to register as alien enemies at the Post Office from which they receive mail.”

1919

In July, the town celebrated the first Fourth of July since the end of World War I with a “Grand Victory Celebration” at the Laurel Racetrack. Residents were invited to “Come Greet Our Returned Soldiers and Sailors,” and enjoy a “Military and Civic Parade to be Led by Military Band.” The celebration also featured “Racing, Aeroplanes, Tanks, Music, Dancing, and Other Amusements.” All residents who owned an automobile were encouraged to join the parade.

Also in July, millions of hand grenades made by the War Department for use during World War I “to bomb the Huns to destruction” were emptied of explosives and made into banks for children. “The grenade banks are of considerable value and will be splendid souvenirs of the Great War,” claimed the Leader.

In August, mention was made in the Leader about Laurel’s first library, which occupied “two rooms on the floor above the Postoffice [sic].”

1926

In May, Rev. L.E.S. Nash, “pastor of the local colored church,” passed away in his home on Eighth Street. His funeral was “attended by many white persons of the town,” according to the Leader. “Under his leadership a very pretty church was erected, societies were formed, and the colored population of Laurel and vicinity became law abiding and more respectable citizens.” His death was viewed as a loss for Laurel. “He had the respect and confidence of the white people of the community.”

1930

In November, the Laurel Elementary School PTA sponsored a play titled Aunt Lucia that featured a cast of 150 local residents. The play, described as “a burlesque comedy of American college life,” featured numerous prominent Laurel businessmen in roles as women. The Leader claimed the play “has numerous hilarious comedy spots.”

1947

In March, the Laurel Chamber of Commerce was founded, with George Barkman as President. The first meeting, with 41 members, was held at the Laurel Diner. In addition to adopting community projects such as improving street lighting and the water works, the chamber went on record as unanimously opposing the parking meters in town.

1955

In November, the Baltimore Harbor Tunnel opened for traffic. The $130 million project was, at the time, the longest double tunnel in the world. It took 1,350 laborers, engineers, and technicians to complete the tunnel, with two workers killed in the process.

1968

In August, the Mayor’s Civic Center Committee presented their recommendations to the City Council. Mayor Merrill Harrison appointed members to the committee five months earlier to explore the feasibility of building a municipal civic center in Laurel. The committee recommended that the 18-acre site where the Avondale Mill was located be used to build such a facility, which would allow the municipal offices to move from Montgomery Street, with the remainder of the proposed civic center to house a convention hall with multiple meeting rooms and kitchens. There was no mention in the Leader if the Avondale Mill was to be torn down or left as is. Obviously, the plans never came to fruition.

1991

In July, the Grand Re-opening Celebration of Laurel Centre Mall featured appearances by Fabian and Annette Funicello (shown below).

---

Kevin Leonard is a founding member of the Laurel History Boys and a two-time winner of the Maryland Delaware District of Columbia Press Association Journalism Award.