The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1903-03-21
An Old Landmark And Its Story.


The substantial brick building, southwest corner
of Howard and Saratoga streets, known lattery as
the Saratoga Hotel-for more than Il century
dwelling, business stand and inn-unchanged in
outward appearance in the memory of the Oldest
Inhabitants is being torn down and another land
mark will be missed
1t was one of the reminders of the Howard street
that 1.-The grea test -four market in the world
street of warehouses and inns in the days of
horseback and saddlebag travelling and stage
coaches and Conestoga wagons; when the taverns
were filled with teamsters and drovers and west
wardly, along franklin street and Pennsylvania
avenue, in the busy seasons. alf the highway was
nightly blocked up by the great wagons. many
from beyond the Alleghanies, their superb teams
feeding in troughs fastened to the wagonpoes-
when droves of hogs and fat cattle came in.
QUAINT ODD NAMES
The names of most of the inns have been forgot
ten. There was the White Swan, the Golden Lamb,
the Black Horse before Howard street was reached;
and on Howard the Golden Horse northwest cor
ner of Franklin) the White Horse, the wheatfeld,
the Pineapple, the Globe. the Leopard and the
Western.
Our first knowledge of the old house is in 1875,
when the upper floors were occupied by the owner
Mr.. John Miller, probably as a dwelling. and the
lower floor as q -four store by Mr.. William Moore.
1t seems not unlikely that Mr. Miller had built the
house short time before this In June, 1876, it Is
described as the three-story brick house at the
southwest corner of Howard and Saratoga streets.
Mr.. Miller may have been Miller who had come
from Pennsylvania some years earlier. Mr.. Moore
was perhaps son of the old miller on Jones Falls
of the same name.
About 1902 store and dwelling seem to have been
occupied by Mr.. William Hays. merchant. one OF
the Irish patriots of 1898 of the
late Dr. st. George w. Teacke). Messrs Hays &
Power. merchants, seem to have occupied the store
about 1SO7.1O, when they moved to the corner OF
Franklin and Howard. grocery and -four store
seems to have followed, which was sold out in 1873
From this time we lose sight of 1t until February
25 1885. when the stables in the rear being fire,
one of the walls fell killing four and badly wound
ing several fremen. 1t then the Western Hotel.
THE sUsoUEHANNA HOUSE
We learn from the American of February II, 1882
that Mr.. John NJ. Eberman late of Harrisburg, ofa
long experience as hotel-keeper and we'll known
in Pennsylvania had taken the house long known
as the Western Hotel and that after thorough re-
pairs the Baltimore and Susquehanna House was
then open. Large stables were attached to it. He
remained in charge but few years. and we next
find Mr. james P. Bayless the proprietor and the
old name revived. This the starting point OF
the daily Resterstown stages. Major Jacob San
ders, from Adams county, Pa. became the landlord
about 1852 and was followed, after about seven
years, by Mrs. S. A. Shaw: and She at the end of
the war; by Mr. Jesse NJ. Lowe; and he, about 1868,
by Mr. Charles s. Devilbiss, who gave it up about
1871.
GIBBONS HOTEL.
At this time Col. Stephen NJ Gibbons became pro-
prietor, and changed the name to GibboN' HOTEL
1t was then popular with theatrical people and
baseball players In 1881 William Delphey was in
tt,o ~ Ton
Hotel. In 1875 Mr.. John Manly conducted the
Hotel Western there. In 1886 Colonel Gibbons was
back, and it was again Gibbons Hotel. In 1889 it
became the Saratoga Hotel, and Messrs. William
Dephey and Frank d. Waters were followed, in
1896, by Mr.. Abiah II. Cole under whose charge it
was Coles Hotel. In 1901 it was again the Saratoga
Hotel and has since remained so, under the care of
Mr. John L. Boswell.
About three years ago the property was sold to a
party whose name was withheld for 100000, and a
number of the neighboring dry goods merchants
were each credited with having become the owner
Some believed that Mr.. John Wanamaker had
bought it. But the Provident Savings Bank, need.
ing quarters larger than its present ones, at How
ard and Franklin streets. had secured it, and will
at build there large corner building for its
central office. 1t has sold the part to Messrs
Hutzler Brothers.
NEIGHBoRHooD CENTURY AGO.
Mr.. Miller's neighbors about hundred years ago |
were Mr.. stephen Hubon, -four merchant in the |
house adjoining on the south; on the northwest |
corner of Howard and Saratoga streets, Mr.. Andrew
Ficke, musical instrument maker. from Bremen, |
md in the dwelling part Of the house Mr.. Robert |
Long Gather of the artitec; opposite on the south
east corner Mr.. Geo. Foss' Stoneyard, after |
wards, when improved, the warehouse of Mr. Dins-
more, -four merchant; on the northeast corner, in
wo-story brick house. Mr.. James Waters, grocer,
who late in the century was drowned on his re-
urn voyage from France, just about the time that |
lis young wife died at home, leaving two infants.
AS far back as this time these corners were said |
o be equal to any business stands in the city, par
icularly for the -four and grocery lines.
1t may be mentioned that the Hon. Henry Clay is |
aid to have been of the patrons of the old |
house, and that in the year before the it is said
o have been favorite resort of sporting people, |
from the South. 1t finally closed |
about month ago, and soon afterwards its furni-
lure and fixtures were sold. |