Centennial Committee Sets Event Dates

One hundred years ago a sleepy little agricultural village became our town. When the tracks of the Baltimore and Annapolis Short Line Railroad were laid through the farmland owned by the Linthicum family, an opportunity emerged. Four young men in that family, George Milton, Wade Hampton, Seth Hance and J. Charles were all professional businessmen—doctors, lawyers and business owners, and owned a majority of the property in the area that comprised our town.  In June of 1908 they formed the Linthicum Heights Company to develop a portion of their properties for residential use and the community of Linthicum was born.

The decision, while critical for them, really wasn’t that hard to make. While farming was a steady business for their families, the arrival of the B&A railroad made their properties desirable for residential purposes. It was close to Baltimore and now you could work there but live in the new suburb. They realized they weren’t farmers any longer, they were real estate entrepreneurs.

That was a century ago.  Now, with the Centennial nearly upon us, the community is gearing up to celebrate our town’s birthday.  A committee of interested residents have formed and drawn up an event schedule that we hope will highlight our rich history.  These Centennial plans are truly a combined effort.  The committee has representatives from the Woman’s Club of Linthicum Heights, the Linthicum-Shipley Improvement Association, the North Linthicum Improvement Association, and a wide array of people representing smaller community groups, interested local residents, business leaders and Linthicum elected officials.

Soon the community will start seeing signs and stories that focus on the Centennial Year and our rich history.  Even though a committee has been formed we still need volunteers to help make our Centennial Year a success.  An outline of events follows.  If you see an event that you would like to participate with in some way, please contact Rik Forgo at 443-463-8571.  For up-to-date details on the events, please visit www.linthicum100.org.

Centennial Sock Hop
January 12, Lindale Middle School
Leather jackets and poodle skirts will fill the cafeteria at Lindale Middle School as the yearlong Linthicum Centennial Celebration kicks off with a Centennial Sock Hop. The event runs from 6 to 10 p.m. at the school, 415 Andover Road, Linthicum. Party-goers can dance through the decades and take part in such favorites as the Charleston, Conga, Mashed Potato, Limbo, Chicken Dance, Electric Slide, and more. There will be plenty of dance contests and snacks and beverages will be available. Traditional Sock Hop attire is encouraged.

Tickets to the Sock Hop are $5 each, with a maximum of $20 per family. Tickets are available at Charlene’s Hallmark, 513 S. Camp Meade Road in Linthicum, or by calling 410-850-4058.

‘100 Year of Faith’ – Woman’s Club Prayer Breakfast
March 12, Linthicum United Methodist Church
The Woman’s Club-sponsored annual prayer breakfast, dubbed “100 Years of Faith’ for 2008, will, as it always does, bring together clergy and congregations from across Linthicum.  But the central theme will revolve around how the community’s churches started, evolved and how we have worshiped through the years.  This is a Woman’s Club event and the Centennial Committee will be working jointly with the group.

Historic House Tour
April 27, Various locations throughout Linthicum
Linthicum’s eclectic blend of Colonials, Cape Cods, bungalows, Victorians, ranchers and Craftsman-style homes contributed greatly to the community earning its historic district designation, and the Centennial Committee wants to share some of that rich heritage.  Plans are underway for an historic house tour that will guide visitors through some of the more famous and unique homes in our community.

Historic District Announcement
May 2, Linthicum Rail Station, West Maple Road
Twenty years after it was initially sought, Linthicum will officially recognize its State- and Federal Historic District designation.  A community that emerged principally because of the B&A Railroad, Linthicum’s rich history and traditions are now on record in the National Record of Historic Places.  Linthicum will become the sixth community in Anne Arundel County to receive the designation, and the first-ever in northern Anne Arundel County.

J. Charles Linthicum Memorial Park Dedication
Fourth of July Weekend, West Maple Road
In the planning stages for more than three years now, the official park dedication is set to happen on the historically significant Fourth of July Weekend.  The dedication of Mr. Linthicum’s signature achievement – the law he authored making the Star Spangled Banner our country’s National Anthem – is the first-ever such commemoration.

Linthicum Historic Treasure Hunt
July 12, Benton Avenue Park
Linthicum’s history will require a compass and map during this unique game of hide and seek.  Artifacts of Linthicum history and little-known landmarks will become pin marks on the map as Linthicum plays its own version of “The Amazing Race”.

Linthicum Centennial Fair & Parade
September 28, St, John’s Field
Linthicum Community Fair organizers have worked closely with the Centennial Committee and will focus the fair on Linthicum’s 100th birthday in 2008.  The parade will feature a series of classic cars that will represent a wide array of years across Linthicum’s 100 years in existence, as well as art and photos to commemorate the occasion.

PAAL Tribute to Linthicum Concert
October 12, Chesapeake Arts Center
The Performing Arts Association of Linthicum is sponsoring a concert as a tribute to Linthicum’s Centennial year.  The concert will be held at the Chesapeake Arts Center and features the amazing talents of the Londontown Symphony Orchestra.

Veteran’s Memorial Dedication
November 11, Site TBA
The Linthicum Veterans Memorial Committee is working to secure the approval of property owners to develop the memorial on the site of the Community Garden on the corner of Camp Meade and Maple Roads.  The Linthicum Family has already granted its consent.  The ceremony will take place on Veteran’s Day.

Linthicum Centennial Gala
November 15, Hilton Hotel, West Nursery Road
The Centennial Committee plans to hold a black tie-optional event that will put the finishing touch on Linthicum’s Centennial year.  A cocktail and reception is planned, with a full sit-down dinner and dancing.  Governor Martin O’Malley and Lieutenant Governor Anthony Brown have been invited. This is a once in hundred-year event and you won’t want to miss it.

Comments

[David Cole]

The NLIA has not heard anything on the planning of this event. Can someone please email me with the planning meetings. We would very much like to be a part of the Centennial celebration and I am sure there are resources to take advantage of. Thank you.

David J Cole
President, North Linthicum Improvement Association

410-789-0844

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