The Washington critic., 1888-03-10
LEAVES OF LAUREL.
One of the Finest and Most Enterpris
ing Towns in Maryland.

One of the Finest and Most Enterpris-
ing Towns in Maryland.
Laurel, Md, is an incorporated town Of
1900 inhabitants, the largest in Prince
Georges County, and the most important
station on the Washington branch of the
Baltimore and Ohio Railroad, on which
it is situated, nearly midway, being l7i
miles from Washington and 22q from Bal
timore. 1t is reached from the two cities
by eleven trains each way daily. A num-
Der ofthese are express trains. On quar-
terly commutation tickets the fare is ten
cents each way TO and from the Capital
The northeast corner of the incorporated
limits forms also the junction of the three
counties-Prinoe Georges, Howard and
Anna Arundel-while the fourth county,
Montgomery, is distant only about two
miles from the southwest corner Of the
town line.
SOCIETY.
The society of Laurel is made UP Of old
Maryland families, business men of the
two adjacent cities who choose the coun-
try in preference to noisy streets; Gov
ernment employees, representing many
States of the Union; Northern families,
who have immigrated to the genial cli-
mate of Maryland TO escape the rigors of
their native winters, and fair represen-
tation of business men who selected the
location for investment
ACADEMY OF MUSIC.
The most prominent public building in
the town is the Academy of Music. 1t
would be a credit to many towns of larger
growth 1t affords a large and well-regu-
lated stage with creditable scenic effects
N rel. III nj N hp MI
dtorium a spacious gallery, and conye-
nient dressing-rooms for patrons.
CHURCHES.
Laurel has seven hurches-Catholic
Episcopal, Presbyterian, United Brethren
in Christ, and three Methodist, Southern
Northern and African.
SECRET SOCIETIES.
Its secret societies are Freemasons, Odd
Fellows, Knights of Pythias, Red Men,
Good Templars and Knights of Labor.
SCHOOLS.
1t is generally conceded that the public
school of Laurel has not q superior in the
State outside of Baltimore. The grades
are higher than the schools of Washing
ton, and in the upper classes academic
and collegiate studies are introduced.
There are also two private schools in the
town.
LIBRARY.
There is a good circulating library To-
Gated in the centre of the town, on Main
street, stocked with over eight hundred
books.
INDUSTRIES.
There is o large cotton mill and APP
purtenances, the value of this enterprise
being estimated at over five bundled
thousand dollars, giving employment to
hundreds of men, women and children,
and distributing large amount of money
in wages. There are also two iron
foundries, employing large number of
men, and capable of turning out any
work in that line entrusted to them.
A large flour mill in the centre of the
town manufactures good brand of flour,
and the farmers in the neighborhood here
find fair market for their gram.
There is also q planning mill with
woodworking machinery. No town in
the country offers better site to the cap
italist who chooses to invest in manu-
featuring. Its proximity to two great
cities creates market at once.
HOTELS AND BoARDING-HoUsEs.
There are two hotels in the town-Mill-
stead and the Herbert House-and any
number of private boarding-houses all
| full during the summer months.
FIRE DEPARTMENT.
The Laurel Fire Association is only one
year old. They have beautiful hook
and ladder truck, well equipped with
Holloway fire eXtinguishers. The truck
was built by Ramsey d Co: of Seneca
Falls, N. Y, and cost 5000. Mr.. Howard
Morrison is the Fire Marshal.
| THE LAUREL MILITARY BAND.
One of the most pleasing features OF the
town is the Lit Irel Military Band, under
the leadership of Professor w. H. Thies,
prominent young musician. All the
members belong to the various industries
| of the town.
| PAPERS.
Two weekly newspapers are published
in Laurel-the Laurel Review and Laurel
Free Quill.
| CLIMATE AND WATER.
The climate is mild and invigorating
in latitude between the extreme ol
heat and cold. The water is absolutely
pure and abundant. In this respect nc
section of the United States can excel
this part of Maryland.
The iron ore underlying this section
gives tonic quality to the water, otter
| uCdNlly lllDuluB ~ WIN oulpnuIi giving
it medicinal properties that make the
springs famous
Summer guests return year after yea
because Of the benefits derived from thes'
springs.
PRICES OF LAND.
Town lots 50x150 feet sell from $3.50 L
$500, according to location. Lots of same
size on side streets sell for less.
There are two strong building associa
tions in Laurel to meet the wants of the
people. +. ]. A.