Join us for a few history facts from George, and then some very techie investigating to learn more about the store’s less visible inhabitants. Here are two short audio clips from last month’s visit. We had 18 participants plus the investigators.
Don’t Leave…
Here…
Here’s all the details:
Apologies for the glare. But this is an amazing piece of our local history. There are shops and businesses of all kinds on this 1940s advertising card table. You’ll definitely want to stop in at Bahoukas Antiques and take a peek. I’ll bet many locals have their families’ businesses listed here! There are many that were new to us! WOW!
This photo to the left is the label on the underside of the card table that gives the name and address of the advertising company.
Below are a few close up shots of different sections so that you might read a number of the businesses that are printed on it.
This is truly an remarkable piece. It’s most interesting where you might find research for your history project! Stop in and take a peek. If you have a story to share, be sure to chat with George!
The “Steering Wheel Spinner Knob” was invented by Joel R. Thorp of Wisconsin in 1936. The Brodie name is a reference to Steve Brodie and was meant to describe all manner of reckless stunts. The device is often called a “suicide knob” because of being notoriously useless for controlling the wheel during an emergency. Brodie knobs are also known as “necker knobs”, because they allow steering with one hand while necking with the passenger. It is also called a “knuckle buster” because of the disadvantage posed by the knob when letting go of the steering wheel after going around a corner, the wheel spins rapidly and the knob can hit the user’s knuckle, forearm, or elbow. If the driver is wearing a long sleeve shirt, the protruding accessory on the rim of the steering wheel can also become caught in the sleeve’s open cut by the button. Other names include “granny knob” and “wheel spinner.” __from Wikipedia
We won’t ask how you know about the Brodie Knob. I’m sure some of you out there in cyber-space have a few stories you probably don’t want to share. 🙂 Watch for our next WhoZwhatsIt…. next week!
But look at the exquisite work on these lamps. For instance, the two that have oriental figures are wonderful. The photos do not do them justice. (Click on the photo to see a larger view – then click back on your browser to return to the page) Better yet, stop in and see them at Bahoukas!
Next is a most beautiful lamp that features a bride (or beautifully gowned woman). I could also see this piece used in a bridal decor with a little creativity!
Then we have “Truly Unique” lamps – a dog, ships, and a pheasant. (At this time, the electrical component on the pheasant is not available. George is on a search to find them. This pheasant is fairly rare!)
And finally (but never the last of those available), this Madonna – or Mother – and Child is so beautiful. The sculpture of this piece is amazing. The colors are soft and gentle, accenting the very piece.
Here’s a close-up to show how astonishingly beautiful this tv lamp is. It would be beautiful displayed as sculpture.
Significant Responses Were HeardWe had 18 guests join the Paranormal Investigators on March 25th. It was a long night, but we had several interesting interactions. Here’s the first of several audio clips. It’s important to note that some of what you hear is the equipment we use. These are unedited.
These short audio clips give you a feel of what it’s like to join in on our Paranormal Investigations. They’re a lot of fun. But it’s especially exciting when everyone has heard the response. Listen for ‘the boat’…..
You’ll learn a little history of the building and possibly have an opportunity to listen to some of the “residents” who’ve been here a long time!
(Apologies for the blurry photo – no matter what we did, we either got blur or reflection!)
Jimmy told George years ago that his mom was a switchboard operator and the service was located on the 2nd floor of the old Post Office Building (where JoRetro is located) on the corner of Franklin and Union.
Now you knew that Bahoukas Antique Mall would certainly have a unique line of antique and collectible phones to complete this piece of history. Check these out (and they work!):
This is a beautiful phone. It’s a Western Electric “Stowaway” – it’s in a most beautiful wooden case and has a retractable cord on the phone. It’s from the 70s and talk about ‘stylish’! WOW! This piece is beautiful. You have to stop in and see it.
Then check out this unique phone. It’s almost a piece of sculpture. It’s an Ericsson, made in Sweden. The dial pad is on the bottom.
The next phones are a Bell System 1940s dial phone (on the left) and a Princess Style Phone from the 70s on the right. The color of the Princess Phone is rare.
Of course, we can’t ignore the wonderful working reproduction of the Candlestick phone with dial pad. And we encourage you to “Phone Home” just like E.T.
Did you know about the switchboard operator that worked on the 2nd floor of the old Post Office building? Anyone in cyber-land have any stories to add? Stop in one day soon at Bahoukas and share your stories with George.
We had 18 guests join the Paranormal Investigators on March 25th. It was a long night, but we had several interesting interactions. Here’s the first of several audio clips. It’s important to note that some of what you hear is the equipment we use. These are unedited.
It was most certainly an interesting night. We have at least a dozen clips from the evening. Do you hear the name called out in this clip?
And yes, we’ve scheduled another evening. The last event filled up in days after our announcement. So if you’re planning to attend, give us a call ASAP! It should be an awesome night!
CLICK HERE for a brief highlight of canning in Harford County.
EXAMPLE of labels that can be seen in our shop at Bahoukas.
Shortly after 1878, Stephen J. Seneca opened a fruit-packing factory in the S. J. Seneca Warehouse with a tin can factory next to Havre de Grace Waterfront. Seneca made improvements to canning with his patents; 1889 Can-soldering machine[12] 1891 Can-soldering machine[13] By 1899, Seneca had become a canned goods broker. Since the original railroad had run down St. Clair Street (now Pennington Ave.) to the river the location of the factory was advantageous for both water and rail shipping. Up until the Second World War many farmers in Harford County brought their produce to the Seneca Factory later run as Stockhams Cannery. S.J. Seneca lived at 200 North Union Ave. was Mayor of Havre de Grace 1893-1894 and donated the Methodist Church.[14]
The Seneca cannery, which is currently in use as an antique shop, is a very good example of a late 19th century brick industrial building. with its severally classical facade and massive stone buttresses on the rear.
from Wikipedia
Here’s another photo of area labels of the once, very profitable canning industry in Havre de Grace and surrounding areas.
Many patents followed the opening of the S. J. Seneca Cannery. 1901 The Baling-press.[15] 1905 The Cooker[16] 1905 The Tomato-scalder.[17] 1917 Improved Tomato-scalder.[18] 1917 The Can-opener.[19] 1918 The Machine for peeling tomatoes.[20]
from Wikipedia
Spencer-Silver Mansion, now a B&B, located at 200 S. Union Avenue, is an example of the wealth in Havre de Grace in the early 20th century.
The house was built to reflect the wealth and position of its original owner John Spenser, who was in the fish packing business. Along with the Seneca Mansion (HA 815) and the Van Diver Mansion (HA 1124), all on Union Ave., the house represents a small concentration of considerable wealth in the town at the turn of the century. The house was bought at auction in 1917 by Charles B. Silver, a local canning magnate. source: Maryland Historical Trust
You may also want to visit the Steppingstone Museum located within the Susquehanna State Park, at 461 Quaker Bottom Road, Havre de Grace. They have excellent exhibits of our rural history, including a great deal about our canning industry. Be sure to stop in to Bahoukas for more history of Havre de Grace and they’ll eagerly give you directions to other locations in Havre de Grace to learn more.
This bond was signed on January 1, 1879. The following are the signatures of A.P. McCombs, President, and the Secretary, E. Mortimer Bye.
These items can be seen at Bahoukas Antique Mall and Beer MuZeum.
A.P. McCombs built the grand Victorian Home located at 120 S. Union Avenue in Havre de Grace. This beautiful home is well-known in the area as “The Pink House.” You won’t miss it! Click the link below to read the pdf and learn more about this building from the Maryland Historic Trust document with photos.
In addition, A.P. McCombs built the building on the east side of N. Union Ave – corner of Union and Franklin – 467 Franklin, which at one time was used for the U.S. Post Office. JoRetro is now located there! Click the link to the JoRetro site to view photos of the building! (It’s also a wonderful shop to visit while you’re in town!)
From 1868-1881, A.P. McCombs & Son published a weekly newspaper, The Havre Republican. The clip below is from Pettengill’s Newspaper Directory and Advertisers’ Hand-Book for 1878:
Needless to say, A.P. McCombs left a legacy in Havre de Grace. Stop in and chat with George, he’s a wealth of information and the most interesting tidbits about Havre de Grace!
These are some of the guesses we’ve had for this unique item.
WhoZwhatsits # 3 is about 3″ wide and 1″ deep. It has a hole in the top with
about a 5/8th inch opening. Have you figured it out yet?
A tiny dish with a big task…
You see, you just never know what we might find at Bahoukas! Stop in soon and see what treasure you might discover!
We are excited for next Friday’s Paranormal Investigation – March 25th.We thought we’d share an event from November of 2013 for your inquisitive mind. Enjoy and then go to our Facebook page and let us know what you think!
Susquehanna Hose Company Auxiliary Police DepartmentThe photo is the badge of the Fire Police, Havre de Grace.
This photo shows the members of the Susquehanna Hose Company being sworn in as Auxiliary Policemen by Mayor Walter McLhinney. We believe this photo is from around 1947-1949.
Members taking the oath from left to right are:
G. Robert Pennington, Sr., Fred Bernard, Phil Pascuzzi, UNKNOWN, Charles Gamatoria, Frank Perugino, Harold “Jake” Tollenger, Ed McComas, Alvaro Moretti, Dick Walker, Jack Lay and Chief of Police William Bullock.
1st CLUE: Was sold in the mid-1940s
FIRST guess was a sugar shaker from a Hoosier.
NOPE! More photos…
Yeah we have a winner Becky Fitzgerald is correct…..Mothball atomizer to attach to a vacuum cleaner
ANSWER: Mothball atomizer used to treat closets and storage areas for moth damage prevention. Attaches to vacuum exhaust end. Glass canister was filled with moth ball flakes and used to fumigate.
We are always meeting wonderful folks at Bahoukas. But sometimes we are really amazed at the incredible talent that shows up. This guy bought several old, tarnished portholes a while back. One day he came back to the shop to purposely show Betty what he does with them. Astounding.
Meet Oscar Sommer. He is 63, retired, and living here in Havre de Grace enjoying the art he loves – finding the perfect items to re-purpose. He also loves painting and photography.
Here’s the first item he brought in to show us:
The top shows what Oscar purchased. Below is the beautifully
cleaned, wire brushed or buffed piece.
He loves bringing the beautiful back into brass pieces.
But that’s not all. Here’s what he creates with some of them.
Here he creates a wall hanging, the porthole window opens… and there’s a love note to Popeye from Olive Oil!
In this beautifully finished piece to the left, he placed a mirror.
He has dozens of ideas or will make one to suit your needs.
Before talking with us, he hadn’t really thought about selling these. But we think they are too beautiful not to share.
Let us know if you’re interested, and we’ll be sure to put you in touch with Oscar.
Below is another unique piece, where he’s lovingly returned the beauty and utility to this old hand-cranked ice cream maker. which has all the internal parts working.
We know Casper was friendly (and yes, our little doll is for sale). But who knew that one of the dolls that has since been sold just loved to play tricks on Betty.
Listen to Betty’s short tale of a doll that just couldn’t keep his safety-pinned pants on.
What do you think?
(It makes me wonder what happened when the person who bought the doll took it home!)
I saw this and kept wondering how small the cannon must have been to use these cannon balls. hahahahaha Needless to say, one needs to read the entire description. These are Cannon Ball ‘folding-siding Garage Door Set Combinations’ – not cannon balls!!!
Sadler’s Hardware was located on the corner of Warren and Union (opposite from where the 7-Eleven is located). It’s now a parking lot. This box was from Sadler’s. I didn’t measure it, but it was about a foot square. Do you have info you wish to share with us about the Sadler Hardware? Please visit out FB page and share what you know.
First Clue:
approx 3 1/2 inches long and 3/4 inch wide; round also tapered on the ends Guess what it is!!!!!!!!
Next Clue:
All very good guesses but none of them are right – CLUE – North & South
We want to know what it is and what it’s used for!
Final Clue:
It’s magnetic
DID YOU FIGURE IT OUT? Here ya go….
It was a Magnet to put down a cow’s throat to make its way through to pickup any nails or metal the animal may have swallowed!!!!
