Havre de Grace

Images of America: Maryland

by Bill Bates

Situated where the Susquehanna River and Chesapeake Bay meet, the city of Havre de Grace in Harford County, Maryland, has seen Revolutionary fervor, a rich maritime tradition, a flamboyant gambling industry, prosperous farms, and thoughtful public servants. Over 200 photographs in this volume depict a century of change in Havre de Grace, from a time when Washington Street was unpaved and covered with oyster shells, to the beginnings of today’s tourist industry and efforts to beautify the cityscape. Striking photographs from over the decades show everyday life: the vegetable truck that took local produce street to street, the butchers at Seibert’s Market standing proudly with their prize-winning hog, and the exciting Fourth of July parades. Over the years, kids swam in the Susquehanna, played around the oil tanks at Gilbert Oil, danced ‘round the maypole, sang in the church choir, and had their photographs taken on Velvet the Pony. At Christmastime, youngsters whispered their wishes to Santa for a Howdy Doody or Betsy Wetsy doll or a set of Lionel Trains. Grown ups bought hardware at Hecht’s, car supplies at Western Auto, prescriptions at Lyons Pharmacy, clothes at Levy’s, and shoes at Frank’s. And every family and business toted the trash to the dump that never stopped smoldering.

128 pages, Paperback

First published July 17, 2006

Reviews

[George Kasnic]

This book is five stars if you live in Havre de Grace or have a connection to the town. If you do not know the town it will land flat. A history in photos which while it does not go deep into the ugly side - segregation and poverty- does not totally ignore it. Full of great tidbits about the town, photos of place long gone, as well as places still there. Mainly a trip through the memories of a small town where the Susquehanna River enters the Chesapeake Bay.

[Wendy]

It was a nice book, but didn’t give me a true feeling for the history of Havre de Grace.