|
|
|
A Resident's Account of Dublin by Ruby Caulford We are going to take a stroll through Dublin, as I remember it from the early 1920's. Many changes have taken place in the last 76 years. Starting at Route 1 and Route 440, now called Glen Echo, in early days Rabbit Valley, the Gallion's had a farm and tourist home in the "y" of the road. There was a very bad curve there and many accidents occurred. All of the original buildings of the farm have been torn down. On the right side of Route 440 were many large oak trees and during the construction of Conowingo Dam, some of the workers stayed in tents among the mighty oaks. On up Route 440 we cross Peddler's Run to Judge Harry's home on the right, still being lived in. This home is an older large home with an interesting kitchen and handsome woodwork. Next would be the Sturgill farm, the field behind the farm was called "Flat Iron Field" for it's shape. We pass Glen Cove Road to the Snavely Farm, up the road further there are two small log houses on the right side that were moved to the field from Benton Daughtery's. These were houses built in the back for slaves. Benton Daughtery lived on the corner of Deerfield in a long two story building with large shrubbery and a big flower garden. Mr. Daugherty was robbed and killed in his home here. After the intersection was a blacksmith shop that was real close to the road, then a long two story house with big paned glass windows. A Mrs. Haslech lived here for many years. Next to the store house was another long log home, this one is still there. The Adam's lived in the next house, also log, it burnt several years ago. Across the road, back in a field was the Allen farm. Also log, it burnt several years ago from a fire in the fireplace. Back on the right side of Route 440, is the Jones' home for many generations, which is still standing. On the same land is a small building, unused which was a hat stop and at one time, Dublin Post Office. We come to the home that the Gallion family lived in for many years. My mother-in-law, Sallie Shaw Gallion Caulford was born here. The front part is log and this house is where the Caulford girls were mostly raised. The staircase is a short curved one. Right next to it was another log home, which burnt recently. The two houses were connected at the front porch of the Gallion home. Across the road in front of the Gallion property was the center of activity in Dublin, so I have been told. There was a store and a boardwalk on that side. There is a slight knoll there and very rocky area which appears to have been several foundations. On the corner of Castleton and Route 440 is another log house. The large double house toward Route 136 was a McCausland Store. Behind this house is what was once a barn, now all remodeled to a large residence. On the left side was the James Farm and once a thriving dairy selling chocolate milk and an orange drink. Many a local teenager worked there delivering milk, etc. The original house there burnt in 1926. At the intersection of Routes 440 and 136 on the right side, was a small log dwelling also burnt in 1971. The apparently was George McCausland's residence, he is the one that first settled Dublin. On the left side was what was known as Dublin Inn. There is supposedly a picture of this building on display in Masonic Lodge in Bel Air as this was at one time their meeting place. Going north on Route 136 there was a dairy creamery which served the local area and burnt down on a wintry night. The store that used to be on the west corner was built by Nelson McCann who later owned several tracts in Dublin. Later the store was taken over by a member of the family, R.L. McCann. he sold groceries and hardware for many years. Later years this was sold to Walter Moody and in yet later years, was removed by State roads to widen the intersection. On the southwest corner, Mr. McCann built a feed warehouse which has been remodeled into the current grocery store. At the end of the store, in early years there used to be a blacksmith and wheelwright shop and later was made into a home. Going south on Route 136 is another standing log house. Early years belonged to McCann, Knights, and later Bessie Orr. We come to the Dublin United Methodist Church. We believe a log structure was the first house of worship, the land was given by Charles Beavers in 1800. A clapboard structure was erected, serving the community until 1939 when a Port Deposit granite church was built. In 1963, an educations wing was added. Some of the graves are of Dublin's early settlers. Across from the church on the curve, is a home that was the James tenant house. The second house from the school is where at one time there was a store in which Mr. and Mrs. James sold their creamery products and ice cream. In the 1940's this served as a gathering for teenagers. The school has undergone many changes as well. It was originally on the same side as the church, as a one room building, later a second room was added. My husband, Byron Caulford, attended here. In 1915, a wood structure with 7 rooms, 4 rooms for teaching was built on the other side of the road. Later years a brick addition was added. There are no remaining parts of the original wood structure left. Out on Route 136, past Poole Road on the left was a small store that sat in the field. It was moved on the road by log rollers to Deerfield Road by the cemetery by George Gallion. The Southern Cemetery on Deerfield Road was founded because of the slavery situation. After the war between the North and South the church that had been erected was torn down. Many are buried there from the several flu epidemics, especially small children. Behind the grocery store on Route 440 going West was a log home which burnt several years ago, the Botts property, originally a Daugherty property. To date, 1996, I have counted possibly six standing structures that are log. My home place for many years was a farm on Castleton Road, Grassland Hall (village). Later years was called the Pheasant Farm. Dublin was a quite pleasant, little country village and still is. It holds many fond memories for me. The above was written by a local Ruby Halsey Caulford, with family ties that were in Dublin for many years. Some information has been from stories "handed down." |
|
Send mail to
dublincountryfair@yahoo.com with
questions or comments about this web site.
|
