HISTORICAL COMMENTS BY GEORGE CHEVALLIER 8-25-12

The 3 Eras of W. Main Street

Main Street in Salisbury can be broken down into three separate and distinct eras.

The first era was when it was known as Bridge Street. This was a dirt street with businesses and residences on both sides of the street. Most of the buildings were owned by whoever had their business on the first floor. The two upper floors were occupied by the family of the business owner. There were also some with accommodations in the rear for the family horse and buggy.

The buildings were built out of brick or stone due to a city ordinance after the Great Fire of 1886 leveled 22 acres of mostly wooden buildings. Since there was no stone on the Eastern Shore and we were right in the middle of many pine trees, it was only natural that they would incorporate the readily available material in their building ventures. This is what happened after the Fire of 1860 that leveled Salisbury. In fact, during the Civil War, the population was less than that of Camp Upton, a Union Camp situated where the Daily Times building is now.

During this first era, Salisbury came up to speed with the rest of world in acquiring such amenities as underground sewers, electricity and gas, telephones and automobiles. It was during this period, in 1904, that Salisbury got its first paved road. This was of yellow brick and ran from the bridge to Division Street where it turned left. It continued on to Church Street, turning right out to the old N.Y.P & N. railroad depot, which was 200 yards south of where the Union is now. They thought this would give Salisbury an air of modern improvement. Many of the original stores on Main Street plodded through the difficult times and one even survives to this day. That store is Kuhn’s Jewelers, which can date itself back to 1853 when Amos Woodcock started his jewelry business across Main Street near where WMDT now stands.

The second era was the heyday of Main Street. When someone wanted anything, they went on Main Street and it could be found. Clothes, jewelry and gifts were readily available from ladies stores such as Hess, Benjamin’s and R.E. Powell. The men could be similarly accommodated from Lee Johnson’s and Ralph & Gaskill’s. There were three predominant banks. Although other smaller banks made brief appearances, the big three of Union Trust, Maryland National and County Trust Company dominated the banking scene. They are all still in Salisbury but doing business under different names. There were also drug stores, stationery stores, shoe stores, 5 & 10 cents stores such as Woolworth’s, McCrory’s and J.J. Newberry along with a selection of specialty stores. One of the busiest was the famous Watson’s Smoke House. Along with a great selection of tobacco products, they sold records. In those days, you could ask for a 45 RPM record and take it to one of the “listening booths” before plunking down your 89 cents (plus tax) to take it home to be shared with all your teenage friends.

We are now experiencing the last phase of Main Street. The only store remaining from happier times is Kuhn’s. Now there are more lawyers than retailers represented along a street that was once truly “The Hub of Delmarva”.

(To the commenter who inquired last week about where he can get a book on local history, the Wicomico Historical Society has copies of George Corddry’s book on Wicomico County History. It is only $6 (2/$10) and it is one I frequently reference. Call me at (410) 749-1021 if you want one. I think this is a very good reference for anyone wanting to learn more about local history.) The other books I use are old directories and phone books. Many are one of a kind and not to be found anywhere. That’s why I feel obligated to share this information through this column.