It’s apparent that residents of Brunswick, Maryland, take pride in their roots. This isn’t only expressed vocally, though. Rather, it is communicated through Brunswick’s strong association with locomotives. Brunswick High School’s logo depicts a tool-wielding railroad worker, The Brunswick Heritage museum used to be the “railroad museum,” and members of local sport teams are called railroaders—all in reference to the rail-based economy that made Brunswick a boomtown in its early years and has defined it ever since.
This pride in Brunswick’s history is also reflected by the work of the Brunswick History Commission. This organization dedicates itself to preserving and sharing the small town’s history. Their online archive displays thousands of newspaper clippings, photos, maps, and other kinds of relevant media from years past. The dating of these articles ranges from the late 1800’s all the way to the current day, stitching together a timeline of Brunswick’s history.
The majority of the buildings in downtown Brunswick are original structures that have stood unchanged for decades, the only change to them being the new business enterprises cycling through. These old records lay account the different people and places that have existed in Brunswick over the years. Senior Brunswickians, eager to share their first-hand knowledge and experiences of certain Brunswick builds and bring these black and white photos to life.
Jerry’s Liquors
According to commentary under this file, from Robert Foster, the Bowling Alley was destroyed by a Tornado in 1983. As a result, it was torn down. Today, the address 620 Souder Road belong to Penny’s Diner. The buildings are entirely different structures though both take on a rectangular shape.
East Potomac Street
Imperial Theatre
Prior to being burned down, the Imperial Theatre was located at what is now 226-228 West Potomac Street. Movies were still silent when the theater opened. According to editor Mary Margrabe of the Brunswick History Commission book Brunswick: 100 Year of Memories, live music was sometimes added to enhance the viewing experience. Sound was added to Westerns by imitating the sound of gunshots and trotting—a primitive form of foley art. When sound was added to movies in 1928, the first ‘talkie’ movie to be shown was The Jazz Singer.
Margrabe also notes in her writing that though the theatre closed in May of 1962, admission never exceeded 50 cents.
The building was purchased in 1963 for the purpose of turning it into a teen nightclub, though renovations tested it’s structural integrity and the lot it had been on was sold to Fire Company.
Horine’s Drug Store
Simply searching ‘Horine’ on the Brunswick History Commission’s page yields more than 100 results. Arlington Grove Horine, the owner of Horine’s Drug Store and former mayor of Brunswick, was born in August of 1862. He attended two colleges and received his M.D degree in 1890. That same year, Horine put his knowledge into practice and established his first store.
He was posthumously named a ‘distinguished citizen‘ of Brunswick in 1977 for his numerous contributions to the town.
The structure pictured at 1 East Potomac Street was built by Horine in 1910, establishing both his place of work and residence until his death in 1956. While the building may no longer be a pharmacy it may forever be known as Horine’s.
Interestingly, the History of Horine’s Drug store goes back father than 1910. The first store was built ‘between the tracks’ in 1890. 1890 also was a significant year for railroad development in Brunswick. Stores and business were situated right next to the B&O railroad as can be seen. According to A presentation from the Maryland Department of Transportation, this is the year in which the land that had formerly been ‘Berlin’ was renamed Brunswick by B&O executives. This was done because the railroad company purchased 600 acres in Berlin, going both to a new freight yard and to build up the town for those working on the freight yard. Construction of the freight yard was completed by 1893.
This newly developed railroad industry significantly increased the population. Estimated to house only a few hundred people in 1890, Brunswick’s population grew to about 2,500 in 1900. By 1910, this number had doubled. Brunswick was essentially founded by these railroads.
Later, in 1906, the freight yard was expanded further. This is the same year that Arlington Horine’s reign as mayor of Brunswick began. He served three consecutive two-year terms.
Residents look back on their time spent in Horine’s Drug Store fondly—mainly for the sweet treats sold there. Children loved the comic books, penny candy, ice cream and soda.
“They had the best Cherry Cokes!” says Brunswick resident, Nancy Merchant Langley. Langley remembers Horine’s popular ammonia Cokes: “You could get Cokes for nickel. A little extra if you ordered the ammonia Cokes. The ammonia was medical grade and it would give them a little boost of energy.”
After Horine’s closed, ‘Bertha’s Corner’ took over business for a short time, about a year or so from 1970-1971. Nancy alleges that this was a popular spot among teenagers. While it had a good run, Bertha ultimately had to close shop as the low prices Bertha’s offered didn’t produce enough revenue.
A Face Eternal
In 2015, the Brunswick River Mural was commissioned which Intended to honor Dr. Horine’s legacy. A black and white, hyper-realistic Horine stands at a window with arms wide open, and colorful tiles are arranged above his likeness to represent the Potomac River.
Brunswick Citizen
Brunswick Heritage Museum
Arlington Horine’s influence is not limited to the Horine’s Drug Store or his position as Brunswick’s health officer. The building that is now the Brunswick Heritage Museum was commissioned under Horine’s mayorship in 1906. It was originally a fraternal lodge for the Improved Order of Red Men. This building was a wigwam for the Delaware tribe No. 43.
The top two floors were designated for use by the Red Men’s organization, while the bottom floor housed separate businesses.
Ownership changed in 1936 when the Brunswick Aerie No. 1136, Fraternal Order of Eagles (Brunswick Eagle’s Club) purchased the building.
According to an archived newspaper clipping (courtesy of Wayne Allgaier, Chairman of the Brunswick History Commission), the aerie relocated to 401 Central Avenue in May of 1969. This is near the old Brunswick Elementary School, which could be routed at 400 Central Avenue.
What residents most remember is the various businesses that operated on the first level of the building. It seems that one of the earliest documented businesses to occupy this space was a Piggly Wiggly grocery store, which was likely present during the 1910’s-1920’s. The Brunswick Post Office operated here from 1920-1929. An image of the building from sometime during the 1930’s shows that Cauffman’s Cut Rate and Freeman’s Bakery occupied this space.
In 1939, the manager, Harwood “Doc” Watson bought Coffman’s Cut Rate, changing it to Watson’s Cut Rate. Cut Rate was known most notably for their grilled cheeseburgers and soda fountain.
As noted in Brunswick: 100 Years of Memories, a cigarette shortage during the second world war had customers lining up around the block each week when new shipments came in. The cost was 19 cents a pack- compare that to Maryland’s modern pack averaging at $14.17.
In 1962, Robert ‘Bob’ Mohler bought the store and established it as Prescription Arts Pharmacy. Sandwiches were sold alongside pharmacy goods. Mohler relocated to the Medical Center on 9th avenue in 1981.
Formerly the Eagle’s club, 40 W Potomac Street was purchased in January 1974 by the Brunswick Potomac Foundation. This Foundation started the tradition annual Potomac River Festival, which is known today as Railroad Days. This brought together the community and boosted the local economy—revenue from the festival helped the museum founders to make their down payment. Mary Margrabe and Frances New are credited with this. According to this book, published by the Brunswick Potomac Foundation in 1999, notable citizen Donald Darr wanted to preserve knowledge of Brunswick’s history and was among the main people behind the development of the museum- and so the Brunswick Railroad Museum was born. The rest is history.
The museum is still thriving and operating in the same location today, though the name was changed to ‘Heritage Museum’ in 2013, expanding it’s reach to incorporate all of Brunswick’s history.
The Kaplon Building
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It may come as a surprise that Brunswick used to have its very own department store. Though Brunswick’s population is on the rise with the ongoing expansion of Brunswick Crossing, residents must travel to Frederick and beyond to shop at a department store.
In similar nature to Arlington Horine, distinguished citizen Victor Kaplon first established his business, The Kaplon Store of Harpers Ferry ‘between the tracks’ in 1889, right before the freight yard construction by the B&O. The store was popular among men working in the railyard.
In 1908, the Russian refugee moved shop to downtown Brunswick, constructing the three-story corner store that stands today.
Accounts of the store and its merchandise make praise of their merchandise, describing it as ‘high quality’. According to an issue of the Blade Times from March of 1967, the women’s clothing available was fashionable and held to a high standard. Daughter Miss Frances ‘Fanny’ Kaplon made trips to New York where she would pick out fashions, ordering them to the store.
The store was known for it’s unconventional ‘Black Cat’ sales, which took place when Friday coincided with the 13th day of the month.
Kaplon’s had its final sale in 1967, a decade after its founder’s passing. The store closed shortly thereafter.
All information is sourced from the Brunswick History Commission unless otherwise stated. Feel free to continue researching Brunswick History and explore their free site.