20-40-100 Years Ago -- Jan. 21

Susan Guynn, The Frederick News-Post, Md.
·5 min read

Jan. 21—100 Years Ago

Jan. 21, 1923

This date was a Sunday. The Frederick News-Post did not publish a Sunday edition at this time.

40 Years Ago

Jan. 21, 1983

The Concerned Hood Neighbors filed an appeal Thursday to a recent circuit court decision that upheld rezoning of the Hood College farm by Frederick City government. After lengthy discussion on Dec. 10, 1981, the mayor and board of aldermen rezoned the Hood property at West Seventh Street and Fairview Avenue from a single-family classification to one that permits multi-family residential, general business and limited business area use. Townhouses, a grocery store and a fast-food restaurant have been proposed for the area.

First-time Frederick County homebuyers are actively taking advantage of a special low-interest mortgage program, the director of the county's Economic and Community Development office said Thursday. In November, three county lenders received $1.55 million from the state for a mortgage program offering first-time homebuyers the opportunity to get 30-year loans at 11.22 percent — well below the current market rates.

(Editor's Note: The News-Post does not have access to archives from 50 years ago for August 1972 through March 1973. The "50 Years Ago" summary will return April 1, 2023.)

20 Years Ago

Jan. 21, 2003

One of the most prime pieces of real estate in the Carroll Creek revitalization effort appears to be finally heading toward development after its sale last week to a local group committed to building on the property, referred to as Site A. Creekside Plaza purchased the land for $360,000 from Marc Silverman, a Rockville developer, who was ordered by the Frederick Board of Aldermen in September to sell the land or have it reclaimed by the city. Mr. Silverman bought the land at South Court Street and Citizens Way from the city several years ago for $183,000, but the city said he missed every deadline to being construction on the property. A stipulation in the sales contract allowed the city to retake the land from Mr. Silverman for $100,000 if he did not meet designated deadlines.

Frederick County Commissioner Mike Cady is exploring the possibility of privatizing school bus operations, as well as consolidating several administrative departments in the county and the Board of Education. Mr. Cady said his ideas would streamline bureaucracy and save taxpayers between $10 million and $20 million a year.

100 Years Ago

Jan. 22, 1923

None but a Maryland architect will be permitted to draw designs for the six Maryland National Guard armories to be erected in six towns. The armories are to be built in Hagerstown, Centreville, Cumberland, Silver Spring, Easton and Crisfield. They will be be built on the same plans as the armories now in use in Frederick, Annapolis and Salisbury.

Russell S. Grams, about 30 years old, Buckeystown, was arrested Saturday evening by Policeman Roy Hiltner, charged with operating an automobile while under the influence of liquor. He was taken to police headquarters and turned over to Sheriff James A. Jones who lodged him in jail for a hearing this afternoon. Grams was arrested on East Patrick street after he had run into two automobiles and also run into the Wachter Brothers building. He stated the impact with the first machine bent the steering rod of his car and that he was unable to control it. According to the officers, however, he was "considerably" under the influence of liquor and unable to drive his car.

40 Years Ago

Jan. 22, 1983

The gasoline tax bill, highly touted as a boon for state and local governments, is a bust for the national trucking industry. It's especially a bust for independent truckers, the ones who own their rigs. They're talking of striking Jan. 31, of hitting the country where it hurts — in the belly. Grocery stores depend on trucks for food Other merchandise that's transported by independent truckers also will have a hard time reaching the public.

Frederick City has received approval for a $630,000 grant from the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), to be used for housing rehabilitation, slum and blight clearance, and community-owned economic development. The funding will pay for rehabilitation of four homes on the 100 block of West All Saints Street, rehabilitation of 11 owner-occupied homes, clearing blight and slum areas on West All Saints and South Market Streets, a laundromat for South Frederick, an economic development project involving the sale of orange juice and other homemade foods, and administration costs.

(Editor's Note: The News-Post does not have access to archives from 50 years ago for August 1972 through March 1973. The "50 Years Ago" summary will return April 1, 2023.)

20 Years Ago

Jan. 22, 2003

Frederick Mayor Jennifer Dougherty is trying to schedule at least one mediation session for herself and the board of aldermen, she said Tuesday during her weekly press conference at City Hall. The mediation session, or sessions, would be hosted by Community Alternative Mediation, or Calm, with offices on North Market Street and a nonprofit agency funded by the state. Ms. Dougherty and Alderman Bill Hall have repeatedly clashed during city meetings.

As Frederick has grown through the years, its cab services haven't. Overseen by the city's Taxicab Commission, which meets sporadically at best, the industry is governed by an ordinance dating from 1961 and a commission that hasn't met since the summer of 2000.

On his visit to Mount St. Mary's campus last week, incoming president Tom Powell told the college's communication director to take a note: In the future the president's house should be referred to as the president's home. Once in office, Dr. Powell predicts one of his first projects will be creating more dorm space to attract more students.