Then & Now: Wilson Bridge Hagerstown 105 Years Apart

Looking at old photographs is like peering through an open window back into history. Not only do they give you a sense of wonder from traveling back in time, but also a staggering feeling of awe from seeing just how much things have changed. For this post, I have used one of Lewis Reed’s original photographs for “then” and a Google stock image for “now”.

Wilson Bridge (THEN): Built in 1819, this five arch structure named for nearby village was the first stone bridge built by Washington County. Erected by Silas Harry at cost of $12,000, it was a major improvement to the road system between Baltimore and Cumberland, providing continuous smooth surface from eastern seaboard to western wilderness. Wilson Bridge carried traffic until seriously damaged by storm flood in 1972. It was placed in the National Register of Historic Places in 1982.

Wilson Bridge Hagerstown

Wilson Bridge Hagerstown, Maryland. Photo by Lewis Reed, 1914

Wilson Bridge (NOW): The bridge was beautifully restored in 1984 by LeRoy E. Myers. The bridge is one of numerous still standing stone bridges in central and western Maryland.

Wilson Bridge Hagerstown

Restored Wilson Bridge today

Merry Christmas & Best Wishes for 2019!

Reed Brothers Dodge Showroom, 2007

Reed Brothers Dodge Showroom, 2007

I would like to wish everyone who finds time in their hectic schedule to visit this blog a very happy Christmas and a prosperous New Year in 2019. I appreciate all of you for your continued support and making Reed Brothers Dodge History one of the places you visit during the course of your day.

Wherever your holiday celebration takes you, I wish all of you a safe, relaxing time spent with family and friends.

Merry Christmas & Happy New Year!
~Jeanne Gartner
Blog Author

Meet George Waters, One of Reed Brothers’ Longest Tenured Employees

George Waters

George Raymond Waters holds the distinction of being among one of the longest tenured employees in Reed Brothers Dodge history.

George Raymond Waters worked as a mechanic and auto body repair specialist at Reed Brothers for over 30 years. I do not know the exact dates of his employment, but George’s 30+ years of tenure which started sometime in the early-mid 1940’s, puts him among a handful of employees who worked at both Reed Brothers locations, at the triangle at Veirs Mill Road and Rockville Pike and at the new location at 15955 Frederick Road in Rockville.

George did auto body work and all of the radiator rebuilds (acid dip, pressure wash, repaint and seal). George also drove the Reed Brothers company tow truck. He was on 24-hour call and his personal phone number was listed with the local police departments. Rain or shine, sleet or snow, day or night, George was available 24-7 and always made sure that when people were in need, they were taken care of.

1946 Company party held in Rockville Hungerford Tavern

This personnel picture was taken January 15,1946 when Reed Brothers held its annual dinner at the Hungerford Tavern. George Waters, third row, far left.

George’s three-plus decades at Reed Brothers spanned some major and minor bumps in the road for the business. He was with Reed Brothers through three renovations and expansions, including demolition of the 1953 service station to make room for a new free standing Gulf Service Station and a new car showroom.

1950 Employee Group at annual company party

This 1950 employee group photo was taken inside the new car showroom at its original location in Old Rockville at the triangle at Veirs Mill Road and Rockville Pike. George Waters, second row, 2nd from right

When the state widened the roads in 1970, George relocated with Reed Brothers to its new location at 15955 Frederick Road in Rockville. Turning out to honor the company at their Grand Opening were several hundred dignitaries, officials, businessmen, and friends. The new building marked Reed Brothers 55th year of selling Dodge’s. The gentleman in the hat in the picture below is George Waters.

George Waters

This photo was taken during the 1970 Grand Opening of Reed Brothers new location at 15955 Frederick Road in Rockville. George Waters is third from right in the hat.

Reed Brothers didn’t just slip and fall into success over the course of almost a century of being in business. We were propelled there by the hard work of our employees. For us to be able to say that we’ve had anyone work for our company for more than 30 years is a milestone that is unsurpassed. We should all aspire to do what we love in our work, and I think George’s long history with Reed Brothers is a testament to that.

Lewis Reed Photo Featured on Maryland Public Television

Maryland Farm & Harvest

Lewis Reed’s aerial photograph of entire original Reed Brothers Dodge dealership at the intersection of Veirs Mill Road and Rockville Pike was used in Maryland Farm & Harvest Season 6, Episode 606, which was aired on December 18, 2018 at 7:00 pm on MPT. The photo illustrates what Rockville Pike looked like at the time, during a segment about 97-year-old farmer Charles Koiner who grew up in the Rockville area. At 97, Charles still farms full time, with the help of his 72-year-old daughter, Lynn Koiner.

Reed Brothers Dodge Rockville

Lewis Reed’s photo extracted from the Maryland Farm & Harvest MPT video.

Maryland Farm & Harvest

Screen shot of credits from Maryland Farm & Harvest video on MPT

About the Show

Maryland Public Television (MPT) in partnership with the Maryland Department of Agriculture (MDA) has created Maryland Farm & Harvest, a multimedia series that puts a human face on farming. Hosted by Joanne Clendining, Maryland Farm & Harvest takes viewers around the state to see and experience what it’s like to run a 21st century farm – from technological advances and conservation challenges to age-old complications such as weather hardships. Maryland Farm & Harvest also captures the number one reason why planters and growers dedicate themselves to it all: their simple love of farming.

UPDATE: Lewis Reed Photos to Appear on Science Channel ‘Impossible Engineering’

Series 4 Episode 2 London Array

I just got word from the Production Assistant at Discovery that the new season of Impossible Engineering Series 4 is about to start airing in the US. Lewis Reed’s race car photographs will be a part of the “London Array Wind Farm” episode which is the second episode of the series. The show is scheduled to be broadcast on Thursday, January 10, 2019 on Discovery’s Science Channel.

The following 1923 dirt track race shots taken by Lewis Reed at the Rockville Fair will be used on the program that will feature a segment on the development of the race car.

Rockville Fair. Auto races, Rockville Fair.

Photo by Lewis Reed

Rockville Fair. Auto races, Rockville Fair.

Photo by Lewis Reed

About Impossible Engineering

Behind every seemingly impossible marvel of modern engineering is a cast of historic trailblazers who designed new building techniques, took risks on untested materials and revolutionized their field. Brand new series, ‘Impossible Engineering’, is a tribute to their achievements. Each episode details how giant structures, record-beating buildings, war ships and space crafts are built and work. As the show revels in these modern day creations, it also leaps back in time to recount the stories of the exceptional engineers whose technological advances made it all possible. How would they have ever existed without the historical work of their ancestors? Interviews with their great advocates bring engineering history to life and retell how these incredible accomplishments shaped the modern world.

“Impossible Engineering” is produced for Science Channel by Twofour Broadcast.