N is for Nanticoke



N is for Nanticoke (click here for map). 
The drive to Nanticoke was definitely road trip worthy, and “keeping my eye on the prize” (a small beach that is rumored to be littered with something I collect – no, not shells) was worth the 2 ½ hour drive.  Nanticoke is quite a beautiful, peaceful place with not much civilization in sight. 

Nanticoke is an unincorporated community and census designated place in Wicomico County.  The town has a population of 227, and encompasses a land area of 2.59 square miles and a water area of .01 square miles.  According to the Maryland Historical Trust State Historic Sites Inventory Form, the community dates back to the late 1600s.

The town was named for the Nanticoke Indians.  The first contact with the Nanticoke Tribe was recorded by the British Captain John Smith in 1608.  Four Indians who had been fishing approached Smith's ship in a canoe.  Smith convinced them he came in friendship and they returned with twenty villagers. Food, water, and furs were exchanged for gifts the English brought.  Several Nanticokes agreed to serve as guides for Smith to continue his exploration of the Nanticoke River.  Smith described the Nanticoke as "the best merchants of all."  Incidentally, in Algonquian (the common Indian language of Northeastern tribes), the word Nanticoke is translated from the original Nantaquak meaning, “The Tidewater People” or “People of the Tidewaters.” 

The headquarters for the Nanticoke Indian Association is located in Millsboro, Delaware, which in 1921 was formed and granted non-profit status.  Tribally owned lands include three properties, the Nanticoke Indian Center, the Nanticoke Indian Museum and a 16-acre tract donated by “Hudson and Schell, LLC.”  The Center houses the tribal office - a location for tribal meetings and also serves as a community center. 

The Nanticoke Museum was opened in 1984 so the Association could collect and display items from their Native American heritage.  The tribe holds an annual powwow the weekend after Labor Day.  The two day powwow attracts tribes from up and down the east coast, as well as nearly 30,000 non-Indian friends.  

When I got to Nanticoke, I went straight to Roaring Point Park.  I began my journey early enough in the day so I could be on the beach in time for the Nanticoke River’s low tide.  I was anxious to add a few things to my “summertime obsession” – the “prize” I was talking about earlier.  Sea glass!  I read the beach at Roaring Point Park was popular with sea glass hunters, and I was hopeful getting to the beach first thing in the morning would land me a stash (or at least a few pieces).   

At Tip of Peninsula Looking at Shore

I found I was the only one on the beach the entire time I was visiting.  The beach was only 0.8 miles long and I combed it for over an hour.  Additionally, I had the opportunity to walk out to Roaring Point.  If it had been high tide, I would not have been able to walk out to the very tip of that peninsula. 

Initially, I only found the “Wannabe Sea Glass” – the sea glass that washes ashore too early in its life hoping it could be added to someone’s collection.  Ha!  To the glass:  "Patience, young grasshopper" - 1970s Television Series Kung Fu.  Back into the water you go!  

Sadly, the longer I spent on the beach I came to the realization I was not going to be bringing home any treasure.  Just as I was ready to throw in the towel, I looked down and there it was!!!!  A piece of pale green sea glass (which I was hoping to find as it is my favorite color) was looking up at me in all its glory.  Ah!  Life is good!  With my newly acquired loot in my pocket, I decided to leave the beach and continue with the exploration of Nanticoke.

The Roaring Point Park Waterfront Campground was next on my list to visit and it was right around the corner from the park.  According to the campground's history, the property dates back to the 1700s.  In addition to Soldiers camping on the water's edge during the war, there  was the Nanticoke Steamboat that operated off the wharf area of the camp, which transported people and commerce trade to Baltimore and other places.  The pirate Bluebeard is said to have travelled the waters of the Nanticoke River.  Finally, there were the Nanticoke Indians living along the river protecting and growing their families. 

Unfortunately, I could not enter the campground as it was gated.  I was hoping to tour the campground, and to also get a bite to eat at the campground’s General Store – oh, well.  From the fence, the campground looked nice.  Several RVs and campers were already set-up with the occupants milling about the grounds.  I was able to drive on a road outside the perimeter of the campground, which led me down to the water.  When I got there, I found a few people standing on the beach fishing.  I asked one of the fishermen what he was fishing for and if he caught anything.  He told me, “Rockfish and White Perch” and “nothing was biting”.  I thanked him, wished him luck, and left to find something to eat.  

Wade's Repairs

As I could not access the General Store, I thought I would stop by one of the two businesses in town – “Wade’s Repairs” (auto garage) and the Post Office.  Since the Post Office was out the question for food, I headed over to “Wade’s Repairs.”  As you might have guessed, I was only able to purchase a bag of snacks and a drink for my lunch.  Enough to take the edge off, it was delicious all the same, and I was off to my next point of interest – the Nanticoke Harbor Marina.

On the corner of the street to get to the marina, there was a “Nanticoke Foods” sign complete with two large arrows pointing in the same direction - one for “Nanticoke Foods LLC” and the other for the marina.  Nanticoke Foods LLC was not listed as an eating establishment in Nanticoke when I was conducting my research, so I wondered what it was. 

When I got to the marina, I saw a dilapidated building located next to the docks.  This “could” have been a restaurant – I was not sure as there was not a visible sign on the building. I decided to check out the marina first.  There were well-maintained slips, a small office building, a nice causeway out to the Nanticoke River, and a few people were backing boat trailers down the ramps to put their boats in the water.  There were also some people in the pavilion, a person walking along the jetty, and an elderly gentleman fishing.  

The fisherman was fishing directly across the causeway from the Nanticoke Foods LLC building, so I walked over to him and asked him about the building.  He told me it was once a factory, which closed about 21 years ago.  Once a Wicomico County seafood plant, it closed after more than 70 years in the industry, putting dozens of employees out of work.  The company dates to 1935 as H.B. Kennerly & Son Inc., an oyster production and distribution plant supplying frozen and fresh mollusks nationwide.  

Nanticoke Foods LLC

The fisherman mentioned he would walk along the jetty (when he was quite a bit younger) and smell fish cooking in the building.  I told him we had a place back home, down the street from a marina, that would smoke fish and the smell was heavenly.  The fisherman said the smell coming from the factory was NOT heavenly!  I could not help but laugh at his response.  I

Jetty

then asked him what he was fishing for and if he was having any luck.  He told me he was fishing for White Perch and he already caught two for the day.  He told me he did not come to this fishing spot every day, though – he just went where his fishing pole took him!  We then exchanged some fishing stories; about the ones that got away!  I thanked him for his time, wished him luck for future catches, and got back on the road to go home.  

Driving home, I thought about my day and how pleased I was to have chosen to visit this quiet, unassuming town with its “loud” past.  Just like the town, I was able to be silent and just "be".  I looked at the piece of sea glass and realized not only had “I” found a treasure, Captain John Smith did, too. 

 

 

 

 

M is for Mardela Springs

M is for Mardela Springs (click here for map) - a merge of the names of the two States the town borders (Maryland and Delaware). 

I only had to drive
1 ½ hours to get to this perfectly nestled little gem located on the Eastern Shore of Maryland along Route 50.  I found this town absolutely charming as it transported me back in time.  Surrounded by curious remnants of the past, the relics recalled scenes of days gone by – antique furniture, old photos, and more than a century of the town’s history.
Mardela Springs was incorporated in 1906 and has a population of 352.  The town has a total area of 0.40 square miles - 0.39 square miles is land, and 0.01 square miles is water (a pond).  It is believed this town is the second oldest in Wicomico County. 


Advertisement for Springs

There is some very interesting history about the town.  The town was not always named Mardela Springs.  It is said, “three times a charm”, right?  Well, three town names later and “Mardela Springs” was born (and a fourth name is in the works).  Land grants in the area date from the 1660s when the town was originally a settlement called, “Barren Creek Springs”.  At the time, Indians introduced new settlers to the bubbling medicinal springs located in the town.  The excitement of these springs was widely spread up and down the East Coast, and by the early 1800s, a spa of sorts was formed becoming locally famous by the 1840s.  In fact, a large hotel was built and many notable people came to "take the waters".  At one time, this water was even bottled and sold to a number of large East Coast cities. The springhouse still stands, but unfortunately, the hotel was destroyed by fire in 1914.

The town was called "Barren Creek Springs" until about 1880.  It was then changed to "Russum", for a prominent businessman.   Additionally, the hope was to avoid any association with images of a "barren" place, or “barren” water as it would negate the rumor of any medicinal healings the spring provided.  In 1894, the present name of Mardela Springs became official.  At present, the town is diligently working to change the name one more time to “Village of Barren Creek Springs”. 

Earlier in the month, I called to arrange for a tour of some of the town’s historical structures.  I spoke with David (the lead volunteer/guide), and he scheduled me to meet with Lynette (his wife) who is also a volunteer/guide.  I was instructed to meet her at the Adkins Historical and Museum Complex, Inc.  The complex was created and developed in 1980 by J. Howard and Louise Adkins.  The couple planned the complex to be a teaching museum, which means most of the artifacts you are allowed to actually touch/operate with staff supervision (i.e., carefully spin the wheel on an antique spinning wheel).  The couple also had a wonderful, dedicated motto….”preserving the past”.  Mrs. Adkins derived this motto from a canning jar.  Get it?  Canning preserves?  VERY clever!

The complex housed ten buildings, which I had the privilege of touring.  I met Lynette at the Whitelock Victorian House (built in the 1880s) – the first building on the tour.  It was a house of statement….of grandeur.  

Dining Room - Whitelock Victorian House

All of the rooms were large.  There were lots of windows in each of the rooms, which let in significantly more natural light.  The linens, garments, and furnishings on display indicated the family probably had considerable wealth.  I was quite taken by the large stove in the kitchen.  Lynette told me the stove was actually in one of the smaller buildings in the complex and it was moved into this home because it was a better fit.  She also told me a water pipe burst in the kitchen wall (in February 2015) nearly destroying all of the restoration done to the house. 

Penny Rug

I thought the rugs in the upstairs hallway were fascinating.  I was told they were “penny” rugs, which date back to the Civil War.  However, these particular rugs in the house were not of Civil War era.  They were fashioned by Mrs. Adkins.  The house was absolutely gorgeous and it was a nice way to begin the tour.

As we left the house, we walked over to a small train depot next door.  This is not where the depot originally was situated, though.  It was originally located in a nearby town and saw its demise as a crumbling storage shed.  The individual who owned it contacted Mr. Adkins who was interested in procuring it, had it moved to the complex, and restored it to what was depicted in old photographs.  In the past, a train route passed through Mardela Springs.  After the decline of the rail system, the tracks were finally removed.  When the train depot was relocated in Mardela Springs, Mr. Adkins had it placed in a spot that would have actually been located next to the tracks that were once there.  To complete an Eagle Scout project, a Boy Scout actually added a short amount of railroad track in front of the depot only adding to the beauty of the restoration. 

Train Depot

Brattan-Taylor General Store

From the train depot, we walked over to the Brattan-Taylor General Store (built in the 1830s).  Mr. Joshua Brattan originally owned the store.  A young 8-year old orphan by the name of Thomas Taylor began working in the store.  When Joshua died in 1938, he left the store to his son Joseph.  By then, Thomas was the manager of the store.  Thomas eventually bought the store from Joseph.  The hyphenated name of the store indicates there were two families who operated the store.  

Day Books

Now a museum, the store was everything I imagined it to look like from that era – a potbelly stove next to a table used to play checkers, shelves stocked with flour and sugar waiting to be sold, among other items.  Lynette pointed out the butter molds.  What is a butter mold?  The shape of the mold (flower, animal) tells the buyer of the butter who made and sold the butter.  Lynette also showed me the original Day Books (ledgers) containing store purchases made by the town’s women.  The Day Books for men’s purchases were not on display, yet. 

One Room Schoolhouse

The One Room Schoolhouse was next on the list and it was quite charming.  It holds the honor as being the only one room schoolhouse preserved in the county that remained as a schoolhouse.  This particular schoolhouse remained functional until the late 1920s and only taught grades Kindergarten through 8^th grade.  As you can see, there are not that many desks.  However, at one time there were 20 children attending school at the same time, every day.  Looking around the room, I was amazed by the meticulous effort that went into researching what a schoolhouse would look like from that time period.  And then my eyes locked on something hanging on the wall that was not only of historical significance, but something that has deep meaning to me – a framed copy of the Declaration of Independence.  And not just any framed copy; it is one of the last 400 copies of the original before the original was placed in a special case.  It was a gift of the Lockwood Wright family of Lewes, Delaware.  The experience of seeing this treasure left me awestruck!

Young's Purchase Farmhouse

We left the schoolhouse and walked over to Young’s Purchase Farmhouse (built in 1724).  It still remains a quaint, colonial farmhouse and is Lynette’s favorite building on the complex.  It was actually occupied until the 1960s.  As you look at the house, there are two gravestones to the right of the house.  These stones were found in the barn of Mardela Springs resident and placed in their present location for effect – they are not actual graves.  However, research shows the gravestones belonged to a Revolutionary War patriot and his wife (who were ancestors of the Wright Brothers).  Additionally, the Sons of the American Revolution have a ceremony at this site every year to pay tribute to these two individuals.  Their actual burial location is unknown.  

Doctor's Office

Immediately next to the Farmhouse is the Doctor’s Office.  This was actually a contractor’s shed they converted into a Doctor’s Office from the mid-1800s.  Again, the research conducted for an accurate portrayal of an office of this sort was amazing.  The medicinal bottles, pharmaceutical scale, examination chair, microscope, “potty”, and all of the other intricate details only added to the historical accuracy.  




Memorial Building

Following the Doctor’s Office, we visited the memorial building, which was another renovated contractor’s shed.  This beautiful building stands to honor those from Mardela Springs who served in the military.  The names of service members are listed and framed on the wall, a large American flag is folded and encased, a discharge certificate from a Civil War soldier is on exhibit, and items from WWI and WWII are displayed throughout the room.  Without a doubt, it was obvious the town was very proud of their hometown service members evidenced by how carefully everything was beautifully presented. 

A short walk from the memorial building landed us at the largest building on the complex – the cannery.  What I found very interesting here is Barren Creek Clocks uses the first floor of the cannery as a manufacturing, repair, and sales room of wooden geared clocks.  Barren Creek Clocks also offers their signature line of clocks (Leland Hedgecock Smith clocks), which are custom handcrafted clocks made by national award winning clock maker Leland Smith.   Additionally, you can take a walk down “Main Street” in this building. 

Capper and Carbonator

There are little rooms depicting a Post Office, Barber Shop, a bank, and other Main Street shops.  The water bottler (remember the medicinal springs?) is located here, as well (the capper and the carbonator).  

We left the cannery and headed over to Old Fellow Hall.  This is currently used as a multi-purpose hall for events.  Eventually, they would like to move the items here from the memorial building as there is more room for display.

Shad Barge

Our final stop was the Livery Stable.  Earlier, Lynette told me what was on display in the Livery Stable, and I just could not wait to get to this point in the tour.  So, what was in here?  It was a refurbished Shad Barge (synonymous with Sharptown Barge) over 20 feet in length.  You see, I have always been interested in the history of the Chesapeake Waterman, and I just knew this was going to appeal to me.  The boat was breathtaking and quite impressive, to say the least!

Shad barges were developed for Chesapeake Watermen to fish the Nanticoke River for Shad.  Shad runs were a staple of Chesapeake Springs in the 18^th and 19^th centuries, and their importance to the colonial Chesapeake economy earned them the nickname “The Founding Fish”.  Shad fishing boats like the Sharptown barge were spacious for the large fish catches typical of the springtime shad runs.  I was very happy Lynette ended the tour with such a lovely tribute to the Chesapeake Bay.  

Throughout the tour, Lynette was telling me everyone involved with tours, restorations, and research is a dedicated volunteer.  All of the work to the complex is done out of genuine love for the buildings and heritage of the town.  Mr. and Mrs. Adkins provided a substantial base for the resurrection of the complex and asked the townspeople to continue working the restoration after they passed away.

I thanked Lynette for taking the time out of her day to show me the complex and educate me on the town, which is loved so much by the residents.  As I was leaving, she told me I should visit the Double Mills Restoration Project. 

Gristmill

This is a gristmill that stopped working in the mid-1960s/early 1970s and the volunteers are working hard to get it up and running, again.  I quickly told her I wanted to thank David for setting up the tour for me.  She told me he worked nearby at “The Hardware Store”.  I asked her the name of the hardware store.  She told me that was the name, and that I should ask him why he picked that particular name for the store.  But that would have to wait……

By now you are probably asking, "what did you have for lunch?"  Well, lesson learned.  Call before you plan on eating to see if the place even exists!  Let me explain.  Lynette asked me where I was going to eat since I already mentioned what my criterion is for visiting towns for this blog.  I told her “Shorts Bar and Grill” (a Facebook page).  She looked confused – she and David are from Mardela Springs and had never heard of this place.  The town is small and of course she would know every place there is to eat.  According to her (and David when she got him on the phone), there is not anywhere to eat in Mardela Springs.  We deduced the Facebook page was created by someone advertising an event at their house and they forgot to remove it.  Sadly, I decided to wait until I got home to eat.

So, I found the store…..yes, “The Hardware Store”.  I walked in, found David, and thanked him for providing the tour for me.  In turn, he apologized that the new Visitors Center brochures had not arrived, yet – he was hoping to give one to me.  I then I asked him how he came up with the name of his store.  He told me when he was a little boy, he and his dad would always go to the hardware store (never giving it a name).  So, David selected the name based on that childhood memory.


Trans-Peninsular Line Midpoint Marker

David gave me directions to the gristmill project along with directions to the Trans-Peninsular Line Midpoint Marker – the point on the Mason-Dixon Line where it makes the bend forming the Delaware border.  He told me there was an existing marker that had never been used for the Mason-Dixon Line, and is located in the parking lot of a Mardela Springs church.  Additionally, he told me I needed to visit the infamous Spring House.  I would not be able to get any medicinal water, but at least I could see where the attraction to the town began.  I thanked him again and as I was walking to my car, a UPS truck arrived and started unloading boxes.  Could it be?  Did the brochures arrive?  David cut a box open and……the brochures!  And guess who got the first one?  (smiles) My day was complete!!!!!! 

Stone Not Used for Mason-Dixon Line

Plaque - Stone Not Used for
Mason Dixon Line

I then drove over to the gristmill, which you can only view from the outside.  I also stopped and visited the Mason-Dixon line markers, and then decided to head back home.  Of course, when I got to the Trans-Peninsular Line Midpoint Marker I could not resist doing this - I lined myself up with the center of the marker and hopped left and right saying, "I'm North, I'm South, I'm North, I'm South".  You are probably rolling your eyes, but I "know" you would do same given the chance!

As I drove out of town, I went over the morning’s events in my head and remembered Lynette mentioned the upcoming celebrations in the town.  There is a Victorian Girl’s Camp in June (ages 6 to 12) where girl’s learn about life back in the Victorian era and actually live as such.  There is a 4^th of July celebration with events ranging from live entertainment, games, and BBQ.  Additionally, there is a Christmas Heritage Tour complete with a shuttle around town, crafts, and of course, Santa Clause.

It is evident history is very much alive in Mardela Springs.  The pride the people of Mardela Springs has in their town’s heritage definitely shows. People say “out with the old, in with the new”.  I am happy this is something this town does not embrace.  

Mardela Springs Spring House

 

 

L is for Little Orleans

L is for Little Orleans (click here for map).
I arrived at the town, which would be my next great adventure, after being on the road for a little more than 2 hours. It has been said too many people spend their lives choosing the solace of their comfort zone, and I can honestly say I did not do that today as the temperature in this little town was barely in the double digits (14 degrees). At times there were wind gusts, making the “real feel” a bone-chilling -2 degrees (nope….that hyphen before the number 2 is not a typo). Today’s visit was definitely going to be an adventure!  

Take the road less traveled and you will find Little Orleans. Little Orleans is an unincorporated community and census-designated place in Allegany Country. With only a population of 42 (spread out within the mountainous and wooded terrain) in a town covering 0.7 square miles, this little town has one of the biggest things to offer the east coast (annually) in the summertime. No “spoiler alerts” at this time, though!  

Some history about Little Orleans. The town, which can be found on mile 141 on the C&O canal, is famous for its general store and the campground located on the canal nearby. Little Orleans was once located on the main route from Fort Frederick to Cumberland, but only is accessible now by traveling on winding back roads – about 10 miles off the interstate. 

The original road stretched 80 miles from Fort Frederick to Fort Cumberland and required two crossings of the Potomac River. During high water months, the crossing was extremely difficult. The pioneer Thomas Cresap and others set out to find a shorter route between the two forts in the late 1750s. A route that avoided crossing the Potomac was found and became the primary route west until the National Pike was opened in 1830.

Potomac River

In the 1800s, the town of Orleans Crossroads (across the river) grew rapidly after the arrival of the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad. On the Maryland side, the town was smaller—and thus the name “Little” Orleans. According the local legend, the name (Little Orleans) came from a French fur trader who was reminded of his hometown in Orleans, France.   


When I reached the town, it was too early for lunch, so I set out to find the other things on my list this town had to offer. 

Little Orleans Campground

I quickly found the first of two campgrounds - Little Orleans Campground. Unfortunately, I could not drive very far onto the property to see the camping areas because it was pretty much snowed in. However, as soon as you entered the property, there was a little convenience store that appeared to be open as there were cars parked out front. I assumed it was open so the residents in the town could get provisions. If you access the campground’s website, you will see there are many activities the entire family can participate it in, during the camping season, making the visit an extremely enjoyable experience.

One of the first things I do when I reach a town I am blogging about is take a picture of the “Welcome to…..” sign. I had not come across that sign, yet. So, after the visit to the first campground, I set out to find the sign. I began my hunt and unexpectedly came across the second campground – Fifteen Mile Creek Campground, which is located in the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park.  Some background on this park....




From 1831 to 1924, the C&O Canal was the lifeline for communities and businesses along its route as canal boats floated coal, lumber, grain and other products to market. The boats were towed by ropes harnessed to mules that walked the dirt path that paralleled the canal. Today, although only parts of the canal are still filled with water, the entire towpath still exists as a popular multi-use trail - in some stretches, like a double-track dirt road, in other sections leveled with fine crushed gravel -- that is the centerpiece of the C&O Canal National Historic Park. There are the establishments located on the portion of the C&O canal towpath located in Little Orleans. One of which is the Fifteen Mile Creek Campground. 

The creek flowing through Little Orleans is the Fifteen Mile Creek. Fifteen Mile Creek is one of the Potomac River’s most pristine tributaries, owing in part to the fact that 92% of its watershed is forested land, of which nearly two-thirds is protected state land. The Fifteen Mile Creek Campground lies along both waterways. It is a primitive campground, meaning there are not too many facilities (unlike the earlier Little Orleans Campground). At this primitive campground, you may get a more excellent wilderness experience than you would get at a more civilized campground. Many people select Fifteen Mile Campground so they can go to Cacapon State Park in West Virginia, which is located across the Potomac River from the site. Going camping here in Maryland is something that is a “must” do! 

I was starting to get a little hungry, realized it was lunchtime, turned around to leave the park,

Aqueduct View #1 and Tire Swing

and saw the Fifteen Mile Creek Aqueduct off in the distance, which was another item on my list of "must sees"!

So, now a little history about aqueducts. The C&O Canal used 11 navigable aqueducts to carry the canal over rivers and streams too wide for a culvert to contain. Aqueducts, like locks and other masonry structures, were called “works of art” by the canal board of directors. The aqueducts of the C&O Canal, unlike the Roman aqueducts, were built with inferior materials and cement and did not have a long life expectancy. Usually the trash from the floods did the most harm to the aqueducts. 

Construction on The Fifteen Mile Creek Aqueduct (#9 out of the 11 aqueducts) began in 1838. Contracts were abandoned; work was restarted; and finally was completed in summer of 1850 at a cost of $28,119.51.  This aqueduct is

Aqueduct View #2

located near C&O Canal mile marker 141. It is a beautiful stone, single-arch bridge with the upstream wall missing, which is typical of most of the smaller aqueducts along the C&O Canal. The creek flows through the western end of the Fifteen Mile Creek Campground and has a boat ramp near its mouth on the Potomac River. Because of the fallen snow/ice (and the fact I was by myself), I did not want to risk getting too much closer to the aqueduct even though there were a few paths leading up to it. 

I still needed to find that sign AND I needed lunch. I thought I would take a quick drive down the few main roads that were not snow/ice covered and see if I could come across one. It took about 20 more minutes of driving before I realized there just was not a sign in existence. So, hoping I would come across SOMETHING…..ANYTHING with “Little Orleans” painted on it, I arrived at “Bill’s Place” – my lunch spot. 

Bill's Place

There in all its glory, was “Little Orleans” in huge wooden letters across the face of the store!! Phone out....point, click, and save!!!!

Bill’s Place was charming.  If you have the time, please click on this to read more about Bill and everything he did in his life for his family, friends, the town, and its visitors.  Now, a little bit about the store…….    

Jack

The store, in one form or another, had operated in Little Orleans since 1832. A fire destroyed the store in November 2000. It was rebuilt in 2001 (93 days after the destruction) and renamed "Bill's Place" in honor of its owner, Bill Schoenadel, a printer at the Cumberland Times, who operated the store since his purchase in 1969. Bill passed away in 2013. As luck would have it, his son, Jack, took over the business and I had the fortunate opportunity to meet him and a few members of his family and friends today. Jack is the owner/operator of the place that houses a general store, bar, restaurant, sporting goods outlet, gaming room and just-about-everything-else in one, HUGE room. Jack told me he does not want anyone visiting the town to be inconvenienced during their stay.  

Although the store was rebuilt, it was evident Bill wanted to keep a nostalgic/traditional feel to it.  For instance, there are

Dollars on the Ceiling

more than 4,500 dollar bills attached to the ceiling. The display started many years ago when one customer left a dollar bill on the ceiling "in case he was ever broke and needed a dollar to spend”. Now people sign the dollars and write notes on them and they are attached to the ceiling. I was also told sometimes a group of people will just buy a ceiling panel and write on that.  

When I walked into Bill’s Place, there were a couple of men in camouflage jackets and hats sitting at the bar. I took a look at the menu on the wall and decided to order a fishtail sandwich. I took a seat at one of the tables and a few minutes later one of the men asked if I was cold and that there was a little space heater he could direct at me if I wanted. How sweet was that?!!! And then he asked me something that made me want to laugh. He asked me if I was a real estate agent. I smiled and replied, “No, do I look like a real estate agent?” He politely responded by saying normally he didn’t find many ladies roaming around the area in the bitter cold. I smiled, walked up to the bar, sat down, and explained why I was there.

Pat and Norm

 
The men (Pat and Norm - brothers) and I started to talk about the blog and this-and-that. While we were talking, Jack (owner) came over and I learned about the history of the store and the annual summer event (oops! I almost told you about it!). Melissa (Norm’s wife) and I spoke about the people who hike/bike the length of the C&O Canal’s towpath (184.5 miles) as part of their bucket list. I also met Betty (who works there), Jack’s wife (Annie), and their two sons (Brian and Dee). 

My sandwich arrived and it was truly the best fish sandwich I can ever remember having. As I ate, Jack proceeded to show me one of the store’s Standard Day Books (logbook) that survived the fire. The entries dated back to 1915. And the pages!!! Wow! So brittle with the edges charred and no longer bound together – just laying neatly stacked within the binding. Jack had it wrapped in a newspaper tucked neatly away in a cupboard as a reminder of what was and how far they have come. I felt it a privilege to be shown that book. Overall, it was a wonderful experience at the store. I was only there a few hours talking with everyone, but they quickly made me feel at home and like part of their family. I have been asked to come back and I most certainly will.  

By now, you are probably wondering when I am going to tell you what the annual summertime event is, right? Well, here it is. The event is East Coast Sturgis (otherwise known as, Apple's East Coast Motorcycle Rally).  

East Coast Sturgis (ECS) was started in 2003 by Ken Apple. Ken's goal was to give motorcyclists, on the east coast, a place to go and party for a few days in the “old school Sturgis” way. ECS is located at the Apple Mountain Campground and although it’s not Sturgis, South Dakota, there are some great roads in the area and it has not become commercialized.
Of course, there are the usual vendors you will find at any motorcycle rally, but the main focus is on having fun and enjoying a few days with old friends and making some new ones. It is believed this event is a lot how Big Sturgis used to be back in the day. Entertainment includes: motorcycle demolition derby, motorcycle demonstrations, the crowd itself, and a few other surprises (yes, some things happen at ECS that definitely makes this not a family oriented event). The beer is very affordable and is provided by the local volunteer fire department. And talk about good music! Past performances include: The Outlaws, Citizens Band Radio, The Nighthawks, Kashmir, The Kentucky Headhunters, Ghost Riders, and Grand Funk Railroad will be making an appearance this year (August 2016). So, if you cannot make the trip to South Dakota, this place is definitely worth consideration to visit in the month of August.  

Additionally, if you like history and are able to travel to Little Orleans via Old Route 40 (The National Road), it is an easy ride and it provides numerous historical stops along the way.

It was getting late and I needed to get back on the road. The day was awesome – I cannot say that enough. The only people I saw all day were in the restaurant, and before going there I felt as if I had the beauty of the town and the area all to myself to admire – a very rare occurrence. I wish I had been able to spend a little more time there. However, I am already planning a return trip in the very near future!

C&O Canal Towpath