Moving on – Oxford to St. Michael’s Maryland

…continuing with our family trip from this past September when we explored part of the Delmarva Peninsula.

As we drove down to the historic Oxford – Bellevue Maryland ferry crossing to continue our drive to St. Michael’s, I took photos of a couple other interesting and/or historic structures.

The Academy House was built ca. 1849.  This Greek revival style structure began its life as housing for officers of the Maryland Military Academy.  The site originally included classrooms and dormitories for the cadets.  A fire destroyed most of the campus in 1850, but the Academy House was spared.  The Military Academy closed due to a lack of funds needed to rebuild the campus. 

A decade later, Henry and Jane Bell of Ireland gave this house to their daughter, Mary Ann, upon her marriage to Samuel Bratt of Baltimore.  The house then became known as the Bratt Mansion.  It remained in the family until 1965.

The grounds and the interior of this home are quite spectacular.  To view numerous photos you can check out this article published in the “Talbot Spy” on 4/12/23.  Design with Jenn Martella: Oxford's Academy House - Talbot Spy.    

This attractive home was almost right next door to the Academy House.  I love the look of this home and their garden was certainly eye-catching!

This Gothic revival church dates back to 1853…or at least part of it does.  Construction of the walls of the Holy Trinity Episcopal Church was mostly completed but then construction stopped due to a lack of funds.  Support for the funding had been tied to the recently destroyed campus of the Maryland Military Academy.  The walls of the church stood as ‘a ruinous shell’ until 1903 when the roof and the interior of the church were completed.  Disaster struck in 1945 when the roof and the interior were destroyed by a fire.  Once again, the walls were salvaged and incorporated into the rebuilt church.

…now onto St. Michael’s Maryland

This handsome building is referred to as the “Captain’s Cabin”.  It was built in 1865 by a real estate agent named James Benson.  I was unable to learn why this structure is called the “Captain’s Cabin”.  These days it is a commercial structure located at 214 South Talbot Street.  It is one of the 50 “Sea Bags” stores located along the east and west coasts as well as on the Great Lakes.  To learn more, go to Retail Locations (seabags.com).

In 1887, Henry Clay Dodson, who was the town’s pharmacist as well as the owner of the local brickyard, constructed this building.  It is said to be the first commercial structure in St. Michael’s.  In addition to drugs, his pharmacy sold a range of items, from fancy soap to perfumes, grass and garden seeds, dies, stationary as well as pure wine and liquors for ‘medicinal purposes’.  Originally, there were 3 floors but it wasn’t replaced after a fire in the 1950s. 

Dodson’s Drug Store was occupied by a bank from 1920 and 1963.  The vault has survived and part of it now serves as a walk-in cooler.  During the same time that the bank occupied the building, the St. Michael’s Telephone Company was based on the second floor.  A local newspaper, “The Comet” was also published in the building.

When the bank relocated and the structure was repaired, the building was converted into a tavern.  “Elsie and Sid’s Suds Shop” served the community for 13 years.  Then name was changed to Carpenter Street Saloon and this business has served the community for more than 50 years now.  In addition to the saloon, this business serves breakfast, lunch and dinner.  See Home - Carpenter Street Saloon to view the menu.

Actually, I thought that this was a separate business.  However this one and a half structure with a paneled store front adjoins the Carpenter Street Saloon and is now part of that businesses' expansion.  Over the years this little building has served as a post office, sundae shop and pool hall.  It was remodeled in 1965.

There are so many historic structures in St. Michael’s Maryland that I’m assuming that a home built as recently as 1879, just isn’t that notable.  This is the Watkins House, aka the “Gingerbread House” at 103 South Talbot Street.  For many years it was the home of “Broken Rudder Sportswear” but whatever retailer that now occupies this attention getting Victorian structure remains a mystery to me.  The home/structure is part of the St. Michael’s Historic District as listed on the National Register of Historic Places.  I did learn that this is one of the few structures built in the 1800s that has a confirmed construction date.

This bright yellow commercial building at 101 North Talbot Street is a ‘new’ structure, having been built in 1900, so it’s only 124 years old.  Again, I don’t know any history about this structure.  Currently it serves as a store for Guilford and Company, an upscale jeweler.  To learn more about this business go to Estate Jewelry | Guilford And Company | Saint Michaels.  Don't you wish that all those cables and wires were buried!

The Saint Michael’s (or St. Michael’s) Historic District includes the center of the town.  The Historic District includes 302 contributing buildings, sites and structures.  The town was first settled in 1677.  In 1672 an Episcopal Parish was established on the banks of the Miles River.  It was named after Saint Michael the Archangel…hence the town’s name.

Interestingly, “Reclaimed”, a retailer focused on “Iron and Wood Redefined” as well as “Architectural Salvage and Antiques”, is located in one of the newer buildings in St. Michael’s.  This particular outlet specializes in live edge tables, reclaimed wood furniture, home décor and custom pieces.  From my viewpoint, I was happy to see that the store definitely isn’t limited to those items and it features a complete and delightful hodge-podge of antique and collectible items.

Need a restored gas pump for your party or game room.  Perhaps for a saloon somewhere?  I don’t know who could use that neon hosiery sign but I’m sure that there is a potential customer somewhere.  As for all of those antique chests, if you like shabby chic décor, this line up is for you! 

Owners Mark and Tracey Miller are passionate when it comes to ‘rebuilding history one piece at a time”.  They started out by founding a demolition salvage company.  The Millers now travel across the USA looking for historic salvage and antiques.  Sources include old homes, barns, outbuildings and businesses…especially those that are in danger or are about to be torn down.

Another refurbished ‘premium’ gas pump…this one complete with a Chevrolet Corvette globe.  Reportedly, gas pump related items are a family passion.  The printing press was manufactured by Chandler and Price in Cleveland Ohio.  The company was founded in 1881 and it was very successful.  One order for 160 presses in 1897 was shipped out via a total of 14 railroad boxcars.  By the 1930s, 90% of all ‘jobbing presses’ used in the USA were built by Chandler and Price.

FYI, a jobbing press is usually operated by a pressman working on small jobs, or jobs using less than a full-sized piece of paper, as opposed to long print runs or newspapers.

‘Reclaimed’ was packed with odds and ends…lots of fun old items for décor or furnishings.  It was fun to peruse through the crowded aisles… My favorite was this terrific model ship.  It is the USS Constitution, aka “Old Ironsides”.  The original is still afloat in Boston Massachusetts and is still manned by US Navy sailors.  Launched in 1797, she is the oldest commissioned naval warship still afloat.

This store by Iron Will Woodworks is the third one for the Millers.  The other 2 locations, The ‘Boathouse’ and ‘Reclaimed Annapolis’ are both in Annapolis Maryland.  Note: The Millers also build custom pieces from wood and metal salvaged from buildings they’ve taken down.  I would advise would be buyers that these attractive, useful and decorative items do not come ‘cheap’.  Bring a fat wallet with you.  To learn more, go to Reclaimed of St. Michaels (ironwillwoodworks.com). 

Christ Episcopal Church in St. Michael’s was completed in 1878.  Three preceding Episcopal churches predated this structure on the same site.  This iteration of the parish church was built with granite from the quarries at Port Deposit Maryland.  The parish itself was established in 1672.  The first church was built ca. 1677, the second ca. 1710 and the third ca. 1810.  This location was chosen due to its site between a cove on the Miles River and the San Domingo Creek.  In the early days when overland transport was challenging to say the least, these waterways provided easy access for worshippers who could come by boat.  To learn more about this church and the services it offers, just go to Christ Church + St. Michael's Parish | Saint Michaels MD | Facebook.

To enlarge any of the photos, just click on them…

Thanks for following us on this family trip from 2023!

Take Care, Big Daddy Dave