Evening star., 1952-04-12
Hagerstown Showing
Signs Of Growing Up
With Brisk Business
By Jones BirchfieId
Stor Staff Correspondent

dAIEFCO1 1OWN, NO., April ~.
There is an atmosphere of brisk
ness about this Western Maryland
city-a consciousness that an i'm
portant town in an important Sec
ton section is growing up.
From available records, Hagers-
town seems to be Maryland's Sec
Iond fastest growing city. Balti-
more is still ahead, and business
leaders admitted that the unincor-
Iporated areas of Maryland adja-
cent to Washington may still be
in front as far as building is con-
Icerned. But aside from these
areas, Hagerstown will take a back
seat to no one.
According to the Federal Re
serve Bank statistics for Maryland
cities, Hagerstown construction
permits last year totaled $4,900.-
I845, an increase from $4.375, 700
in 1850.
New Projects Scheduled.
While construction permits is
sued in Baltimore last year
amounted to $81 .653, $50, a decline
of more than SIS million from the
previous year, construction in
Hagerstown is constantly increas-
ing and business leaders see little
chance of an immediate let up.
Already scheduled for construc-
tion this year is a 81 million prof.
Iect by the Fairchild Aircraft
Division here, and leaders believe
construction may top the $40
million mark in 1852.
For years now there has been a
spirit of friendly rivalry between
Hagerstown and Cumberland for
the rank as Maryland's second
city. Businessmen here believe
their city is ION the march" and
will top Cumberland in the next
few years.
Population Compared.
II you look at population
figures, HagerStown proper still is
slightly more than 1000 people
short of Cumberland, and her city
zone population now is only sc. .232
as against 5O,772 for Cumberland.
But a new survey has been re-
quested, and leaders here believe
the outcome will be a city zone
for Hagerstown of $4,000. They
now boast a metropolitan trading
area of more than 100000 people.
In addition to the Fairchild
plant, the Hecht Co. may start the
construction this year of a new
shopping center. and Washington
County wants to begin construc-
ton of a new 81 million elemen-
tary school.
Hospital Bonds Authorized.
The recent Maryland General
Assembly authorized SO million
worth of bonds to build a chronic
disease hospital here to serve the
Western part of the State, but no
starting date has been set.
Now in the planning stage is a
new high school that probably will
cost several million dollars.
In the housing field. the city's
first puhlic loW-rent housing prof.
Iect has been opened for inspection
and families will begin moving in
soon. A 4O-unit project for Ne
groes is expected to be ready in
a few weeks.
Former Gov. William Preston
Lane, jr.. an attorney and news
paper publisher here, said Hagers-
town is just finding out she is a
Icity and is beginning to act like
one.
Now served by four railroads,
he said the city is becoming con-
Iscious of other means of trans
Iportation and is looking toward
developing air service and better
access roads.
! Other Signs Of City's Gains.
AS other signs of the city's gains,
it was noted that the number OF
Ipersons drawing jobless pay have
diminished during the last months
Aggregate bank assets have in
creased during the last few years
from approximately SIT million to
more that $50 million, and Post
office receipts in the last 10 years
have increased from about $685.
900 to more than $500,000.
These are indications, leaders
say, of a sound, progressive busi-
ness economy.