Presentation by Mary Bahr, 6/11/24 at 5782 Main St.

To start thinking about Elkridge history, think about the ebb and flow of cultural differences that communities adopt over the years. Humans have changed their minds, their laws, their values because changes are inevitable, although thinking about such specifics doesn’t always register in our minds because when one lives in a place for a long period of time, one can get stuck in holding on to the past without noticing community progress. Noting historical pasts and changes that come out of them are important sign-posts of the evolution of our minds, outlooks, and the community itself.

What are some differences since the 1900’s? For instance, during WW2, this building, a renovated German restaurant called Rathskeller, would probably not have been patronized, and immigrant Germans would have been ostracized. In another era, the sidewalks rolled up at 10 p.m. Prohibition took it’s toll. Elkridge was deemed “dry” and one had to go to Balto. Co. for alcohol.* That’s another reason why bootlegging was popular, profitable and a necessary scourge to the poorer in Elkridge. Another difference is most people did not travel out of Elkridge or from other small villages, except to take the train to Baltimore for shopping or to answer calls to fight foreign wars, which is a probable other reason why people married their neighbors and everyone seems related. The Elkridge genealogical tree is as hodge-podge as the housing. It is the people who make changes or don’t make changes that keep Elkridge in a flux. Regarding this building in particular, it looks vastly different from the original and it even is in a different location. And so regarding this building – I will point out some ownerships by some people, who kept Elkridge what it is, one way or another – from early years to current time. Research was taken from Ken Short of the HoCoDept. of Planning & Zoning as well as from oral histories.

5782 Main St. Chain of Titles / Ownerships:

John L. Moore By a Bond of Conveyance in 1847 house & lot located betw. John McCrone & Patrick Kyne, transferred property to Jonathon Connor for $1,500 in 1848. In Oct. 1849, judgment against Connor, who was fined $80 for keeping a disorderly house & selling liquor on Sunday.

For Connor not paying Moore, the property was sold at public auction Oct. 13, 1849 to Clemens Warns Nov.6, 1849 Deed-Indenture $520. The house became fire damaged. Clemens Warns left the house in his will to Margaret Warns, widow

Frank Warns, nephew sold to James Rowles, carpenter and landlord. March 18, 1868 Deed-Assignment $700 located on north side of Turnpike Rd. betw. land of Anthony Martin on west & Mrs. Patrick Kynes on east, and running back to land of John H.B. Latrobe. House likely rebuilt or fixed by J. Rowles.

William W. Plummer + wife Harriet L, were most likely tenants leasing to buy from James Rowles Sept.17, 1868 through Deed – for $166.67. But it reverted back to James Rowles + Ann R. sold to Marshall McCauley,* grocer & dealer in general merchandise, + wife Ann Eliza Mewshaw,

Sept. 24, 1874 Deed $3,500. Between 1876 and 1896 Marshall was assessed $1,200 for improvements in
the expansion of the west side.

Marshall was living on Furnace Ave in 1860 and 1860 census lists him as nailer – in some working capacity, presumably at the Elkridge Furnace. In 1870, census lists Marshall as grocer operating out of Furnace Ave. before he had acquired this property on Main St. Thomas McCauley, a next-door neighbor and relative, sold his own adjoining property to Marshall in 1871. Marshall was business listed as a dealer in 1871, 1878 & 1887 and as a grocer in 1880 census. In 1875 Marshall sold his Furnace Ave. property and moved to 5782 Main St. He was still in business in 1894 when burglars broke into his store – but were scared off by neighbor with a pistol. Marshall died in 1896 at age 62. His son Charles was already running the store.

Public auction May 5, 1896 sold to Marshall’s son Charles A. McCauley Aug. 6, 1900 by Deed for $2,950

The history during the 4 year gap has to be researched.

Charles A. McCauley + wife Hannah J. sold to Francis M. Miller + wife Emma C. on April 5, 1907 by Deed. Miller was president of Park Bldg. & Loan Assoc. in Balto. Francis M. Miller + wife Emma C. sold to Frank Petrlik**, shoemaker & grocer + wife Theresa March 24,1908 by Deed

** Frank + Theresa according to records and oral history, immigrated from Bohemia in 1902. He made hand-crafted shoes, presumably having an exclusive clientele of wealthier residents. He also became a seller of meats to residents of Lawyers Hill until grocery store chains with cheaper prices were available. According to his daughter, Mary, he later sold vegetables out of his truck. In 1915, the State Roads Commission purchased the southwestern part of Petrlik’s property for $900 in order to put in Railroad Ave extended from Route 1. Petrlik’s next door neighbor – the Seilings – were against it, but Petrlik agreed with the Commission for them to move his dwelling in 1915 to a new foundation on the other side of the new road.

In July of 1916, Petrlik advertised his renovated 6-room house to possible renters upstairs, keeping his business downstairs. The Petrlik family still owned the property by Sept. 2001.

Frank Petrlik + wife Theresa vested to Petrlik daughters (Mary & Ann Petrlik & Agnes de la Force)

Mary & Ann Petrlik, et al sold to David P. Maier Sr. + Denise, Oct. 12, 2001 Deed – for $100,000

David P. Maier Sr + Denise sold to John O’Connor[sp?] as a 5782 Main St. LLC by Deed for $260,000.

Now as for the building on the same property behind the store in Petrlik’s time, and which the 2-storey building is no longer there, according to the witness of Mary Petrlik, Mike Norris the one policeman, just lived in it as a tenant. There was no jail. He didn’t arrest anyone, nor would he ever keep them in his house. Anyone, who needed a policeman had to go to a neighbor who owned a telephone. One house with a telephone was the Petrlik’s. Later it was used as a polling place. Norris was unlike Chuck (Norris) ! He was tall w/a moustache. According to oral testimony, he didn’t carry a gun & just maybe carried a nightstick. A good cook, Mrs. Petrlik or the children, brought him free dinners to his little house in the back. And according to other oral history, he turned a blind eye to bootleggers or maybe was paid off by them w/profits they made from sales to organized bootlegging big guns in D.C. Anyone, like husbands causing domestic violence, were taken to court and jailed in Ellicott City.

It should be noted that John O’Malley at that time, ran the town politically. He was a Democrat, meaning he was ultra conservative like republicans are today. He owned * liquor stores in Baltimore Co. According to oral history, everyone seemed to cater to him because he supported Elkridge sports teams, among other things.“