Early 1900s Photograph Taken at Stoneyhurst Quarries
Edgar Reed (front) and unidentified companions pose for a photograph at Stoneyhurst Quarries, Bethesda, Maryland. Photo by Lewis Reed, ca. early 1900s
The Stoneyhurst Quarry on River Road in Bethesda Maryland has been supplying stones since the 1920s for some of the great landmarks of Washington, DC, including the National Cathedral. The quarry was first opened in 1924 by the aptly named Lilly Stone. She was a widow in her 60s at the time and her family had owned multiple quarries but were also farmers. When the farm was busy, the quarries lay dormant. However after World War I, the family needed money after their farm had been destroyed in a disastrous fire. She once said that her father had told her, “Lilly, if you are ever in need, open the quarries.” And thus, she decided to open the quarry business on a full-time basis and personally oversaw operations until the mid 1950s.
Lilly didn’t hand the reigns over to her son Dunbar until she was in her mid 90’s! Quite an accomplishment for anyone, but also considering the culture of the times, a strong woman operating a large, notable business was quite unusual. She was the only female quarrier in the country that anyone knew of and quite an interesting character to say the least. Described as a “feisty lady” she once was arrested for speeding in a truck and hitting the officer on the head with a cane when she was ticketed.
During her spare time, Lilly researched Maryland’s historical roots and helped establish the Montgomery County Historical Society. She was also instrumental in organizing the Maryland State Historical Society and even designed Montgomery County’s original flag.
Source of Information: Montgomery History
Happy Valentine’s (and Ferris Wheel) Day!
Ferris Wheel at Rockville Fair, circa 1920s. Photo by Lewis Reed
Did you know that February 14th is not only Valentine’s Day, but also Ferris Wheel Day? This unofficial national holiday is held on this day to honor the birth of the inventor of the Ferris Wheel, George Washington Gale Ferris, Jr. What better way to celebrate Ferris Wheel Day than enjoying this old photograph of the Ferris Wheel taken at the Rockville Fairgrounds, courtesy of Lewis Reed. The fairgrounds were just outside Rockville, about where Richard Montgomery High School is today. The Fair lasted four days, from August 21st to the 24th, and drew visitors from local counties, Washington, and Baltimore.
For the singles and the “enough already with the Valentines”, here is your perfect alternative excuse. Go wish all your friends and family a Happy Ferris Wheel Day!
Then & Now: Point of Rocks Station
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”.
Point of Rocks Station. Photo by Lewis Reed, ca. 1911.
Point of Rocks Station (THEN): Point of Rocks is the location of an important railroad junction and the site of one of the most picturesque and best known of the historic stations of the former Baltimore and Ohio Railroad. At this junction, the ex-B&O Old Main Line from Baltimore, one of the oldest lines in the country, and the ex-B&O Metropolitan Branch from Washington, D.C., opened in 1873, come together and continue west as one line to Cumberland, Pittsburgh, and Ohio. A little known fact is that the station was struck by lightning in the late afternoon of June 27, 1931 and gutted. We can be thankful that the B&O ordered its full restoration.
Point of Rocks Station (NOW):
Point of Rocks Station today.
Pumpkin Picking… in 1920
This is a rare photograph of three men in suits pumpkin picking in Thomas Kelley’s field of pumpkins in Pleasant Hills, circa early 1900s. Tom Kelly farmed much of the land around the Pleasant Hills homestead and was famous for his “Kelly Corn” farm wagon of fresh dairy produce during the summer months, as well as the corn that fed visitors to the Montgomery County Fair each August and, of course, his pumpkin patch in the fall.
Pumpkin picking in Darnestown, Maryland circa. early 1900s. Photo by Lewis Reed
Then & Now: Rockville Fair Harness Racing
The black and white photographs of the Rockville Fair harness races below were taken by Lewis Reed in 1910. The photographs were from the first incarnation of the Fair, held by the Montgomery County Agricultural Society (1846-1932) in Rockville and often known simply as the “Rockville Fair.” For this “Then & Now” feature, I have combined Lewis Reed’s original photographs for “then” and matched it with a corresponding contemporary shot for “now” to see the difference 109 years can make.
Rockville Fair Dirt Track Oval (THEN): Like many fairgrounds, the Rockville Fairgrounds included an oval track. Fairground race tracks, typically one-mile or half-mile dirt racing ovals with wide, sweeping curves and grandstands for spectators, were easily adapted for bicycles, harness racing, and the sport of car racing. Harness racing was one of the main attractions, but after the introduction of the automobile in the early 20th century, car races took over. The fairgrounds were just outside Rockville, where Richard Montgomery High School is today.
Rockville drew huge crowds for harness races. Photo by Lewis Reed, circa 1910
Harness race at the Rockville Fair, circa 1910. All those throngs of people had plenty to see. Photo by Lewis Reed
Harness racers rounding the bend on the racetrack, Rockville Fairground circa 1910. Photo by Lewis Reed
Bend on the harness racetrack, Rockville Fairground circa 1910. Photo by Lewis Reed
Rockville Fair Dirt Track Oval (NOW): In 1946, after the construction of Richard Montgomery High School, the old oval race track became a football field and stadium.
RMHS football field and stadium
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Copyright Notice
Reed Brothers Dodge History (1915-2012) by Jeanne Gartner is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 3.0 Unported License.
Reed Brothers Dodge History 1915 – 2012 
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