BGuthrie Photos: MD -- North Point State Park -- Visitor Center

MD -- North Point State Park -- Visitor Center:

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Copyrights: All pictures were taken by amateur photographer Bruce Guthrie (me!) who retains copyright on them. Free for non-commercial use with attribution. See the [Creative Commons] definition of what this means. "Photos (c) Bruce Guthrie" is fine for attribution. (Commercial use folks including AI scrapers can of course contact me.) Feel free to use in publications and pages with attribution but you don't have permission to sell the photos themselves. A free copy of any printed publication using any photographs is requested. Descriptive text, if any, is from a mixture of sources, quite frequently from signs at the location or from official web sites; copyrights, if any, are retained by their original owners.

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Specific picture descriptions: Photos above with "i" icons next to the bracketed sequence numbers (e.g. "[1] ") are described as follows:
1. NPTSPV_150904_010.JPG: The Rebirth of a Maryland Historical Treasure Originally built in 1906 by the United Railways and Electric Company on this site, stood the once grand Bay Shore Park Restaurant. As the picture below captures the beauty of the former building's elaborate architecture complete with pergolas and towers, you briefly step back into time. Imagine relaxing in the spacious dining rooms, all set with great white cloths, shining crystal and beautiful silver, and then enjoying a seafood supper or chicken dinner, complete with local farm grown fresh vegetables, for the unbelievable price of seventy-five cents. These and many more were the common images of visitors enjoying themselves at Bay Shore's facilities before its closing in 1947. Today, the Maryland Department of Natural Resources is proud to provide North Point State Park with a newly designed Visitor Center and Conference Facility. Designed in the image of the former Bay Shore Park's Restaurant, this new facility boasts plenty of the same charm and nostalgia for North Point's staff and visitors to enjoy. This new facility was constructed on the former restaurant's foundation and was completed on April 30th, 2002. The facility now serves as the park's operational headquarters.
2. NPTSPV_150904_014.JPG: Takos Visitor Center
3. NPTSPV_150904_031.JPG: Welcome North Point State Park
4. NPTSPV_150904_040.JPG: The Black Marsh Wildlands
5. NPTSPV_150904_042.JPG: Bringing the Past Back to Life
6. NPTSPV_150904_054.JPG: Defending their Homes A Proud Stand Against Invasion
7. NPTSPV_150904_058.JPG: 1. A Vicious Fight
8. NPTSPV_150904_065.JPG: "The contest was maintained for some time very vigorously. Our loss was nearly 1/3 of the company engaged." -- Corporal John McHenry, 5th Maryland Regiment
9. NPTSPV_150904_072.JPG: Show Family Cemetery
10. NPTSPV_150904_075.JPG: Todd's Inheritance
11. NPTSPV_150904_077.JPG: Methodist Meeting House Monument
12. NPTSPV_150904_080.JPG: Aquila Randall Monument
13. NPTSPV_150904_085.JPG: Battle of North Point
14. NPTSPV_150904_088.JPG: 5th MD Regiment painting by Don Trioni, National Guard Heritage Series
15. NPTSPV_150904_095.JPG: First View of the Battle of Patapsco Neck, colored engraving by Andrew Dulac
16. NPTSPV_150904_096.JPG: Samuel Smith, by Rembrandt Peale
17. NPTSPV_150904_104.JPG: John Stricker, by Rembrandt Peale
18. NPTSPV_150904_105.JPG: The Death of General Ross Near Baltimore, engraving by G.M. Brighty
19. NPTSPV_150904_108.JPG: The Gathering of the Troops on Hampstead Hill, by Thomas Coke Ruckle, Sr.
20. NPTSPV_150904_111.JPG: Bombardment of Fort McHenry, by Alfred Jacob Miller
21. NPTSPV_150904_118.JPG: The Star-Spangled Banner, early draft by Francis Scott Key
22. NPTSPV_150904_129.JPG: Local Militia Takes a Stand
23. NPTSPV_150904_139.JPG: Brigadier General John Stricker by Francesca Schuler Guerin
24. NPTSPV_150904_145.JPG: Brigadier General John Stricker
25. NPTSPV_150904_156.JPG: Bay Shore Fountain and Trolley Station, Circa 1910. This photo was taken by the Hughes Company from the second floor of the Bay Shore Park Restaurant, which once stood where you are now standing. The trolley station, fountain, and most of the sidewalks visible in this image still survive today. The top of the long-since-vanished carousel is visible just beyond the trolley station, and the original Bay Shore Park bathhouse is visible to the left.
26. NPTSPV_150904_162.JPG: Smith's Voyage of Discovery A Diverse and Healthy Chesapeake Bay
27. NPTSPV_150904_185.JPG: Taming the Wilderness From Forests to Farms
28. NPTSPV_150904_213.JPG: America's Fight for National Identity
29. NPTSPV_150904_243.JPG: Terrorizing the Chesapeake
30. NPTSPV_150904_278.JPG: The Battle of North Point, Near Baltimore. This painting by Thomas Coke Ruckle, Sr. shows the America militia (dressed in blue) lined up on a rail fence from left to right. The British are seen approaching the American position in the distance. Brigadier General John Stricker, in the center of North Point Road, directs his men with his sword. A burning cabin (site of present-day Battle Acre Park) is visible just beyond the American line. Bear Creek is visible in the distance on the right.
31. NPTSPV_150904_282.JPG: Legacy of Bravery A Community United
32. NPTSPV_150904_309.JPG: Fighting for Freedom Choosing Different Sides
33. NPTSPV_150904_341.JPG: Todd's Inheritance
34. NPTSPV_150904_343.JPG: Todd's Inheritance (National Register of Historic Places) Thomas Todd settled here from Gloucester County, VA in 1664. Homestead has remained in Todd family for many than three centuries. Farm once contained 1,700 acres. 17th century brick house was burned by British soldiers Sept. 14, 1914, as they withdrew from unsuccessful assault on Baltimore, rebuilt on site in 1816. Remodeled in 1867. Marker erected in 1977 by Rotary Club of Dundalk, Inc., Innerwheel of Dundalk and Maryland Historical Society
35. NPTSPV_150904_346.JPG: Note the Todd's Inheritance marker in the model -- that's the photo you just saw.
36. NPTSPV_150904_351.JPG: Modern Patapsco Neck New Century New Challenges
37. NPTSPV_150904_381.JPG: Getting Away for the Day Baltimore's Trolley Amusement Park
38. NPTSPV_150904_407.JPG: Bay Shore Park "A Dreamland for Outings"
39. NPTSPV_150904_411.JPG: Riding the Trolley. The United Railways & Electric Company built amusement parks such as Bay Shore exclusively to attract more weekend riders. In fact, until the early 1920s, Bay Shore was only accessible by trolley. Here the trolley covers the last leg of its journey from Baltimore City to Bay Shore in the late 1930s.
40. NPTSPV_150904_413.JPG: Carousel. Nearly all amusement parks featured carousels, including Bay Shore Park. An elaborately decorated carousel, built by Dentzel Carousel Company, was located near the Trolley Station.
41. NPTSPV_150904_415.JPG: Fountain and Band Pavilion. The fountain was considered the centerpiece of the park and was a central gathering place. A walkway from the fountain led to a large and elaborate band pavilion where orchestras played frequently.
42. NPTSPV_150904_418.JPG: Advertisements. United Railways & Electric Company built Bay Shore Park to encourage people to ride its trolley cars. It promoted Bay Shore Park's "salt water bathing" and "healthful recreation." For many years there was no charge to get into the amusement park.
43. NPTSPV_150904_424.JPG: "Every few minutes another caravan would pull up to disgorge, and gradually the tables filled up, the beach filled up and Bay Shore Park jumped with activity." -- Isaac Rehert, October 6, 1978
44. NPTSPV_150904_425.JPG: A Day at the Beach. Trolley parks were especially popular with teenagers and young adults. Here Bay Shore lifeguard Lou Fraass picks up the Croucher sisters in 1943. Fraass married Dottie Croucher (right) a year later.
45. NPTSPV_150904_427.JPG: Midway. Just like park patrons today, Bay Shore visitors strolled down this road to reach the water. The Midway featured games and concessions. Bay Shore's popular dance pavilion (left) and bowling alley (right) can also be seen in this image.
46. NPTSPV_150904_429.JPG: The Bay's "Saltwater". The Chesapeake Bay's "saltwater" was the park's primary attraction and selling point. During this period, it was widely believed that saltwater had medicinal value. Here young adults pose on the beach prior to 1922.
47. NPTSPV_150904_431.JPG: Sea Swing. Several new rides were added in the 1920s. The most popular new attractions were the Sea Swing and the Water Toboggan.
48. NPTSPV_150904_433.JPG: New Bay Shore Park. In 1947, Bethlehem Steel purchased the Bay Shore Park property. A year later, the park's former operators opened New Bay Shore Park on Pleasure Island. It operated until 1963.
49. NPTSPV_150904_436.JPG: Duck Bowling Pin
50. NPTSPV_150904_437.JPG: Roller Coaster. No early 1900s amusement park was complete without a roller coaster, and Bay Shore Park was no exception. This classic wooden rollercoaster was located next to the restaurant. It was later replaced by the much larger "Speedway" coaster in 1939.
51. NPTSPV_150904_439.JPG: Crystal Pier. This 1,000 foot long pier was one of Bay Shore Park's major attractions. It provided visitors with outstanding views of the Bay. In the park's later years, the pier featured a miniature railroad ride.
52. NPTSPV_150904_442.JPG: Electric Lights. In the early 20th century, electric lighting was still a novelty, and the trolley parks lit up the night to attract crowds. Here is the restaurant illuminated in 1906.
53. NPTSPV_150904_444.JPG: Restaurant. The park's restaurant was an elegant establishment. It served soft-shell crabs, rockfish, trout, fried chicken and vegetables harvested from the local farms.
54. NPTSPV_150904_451.JPG: Aerial View, May 6, 1934. With the exception of the bathhouse, many of Bay Shore Park's original attractions were still standing when this aerial view was taken in 1934.
55. NPTSPV_150904_453.JPG: Locker Tags
Wikipedia Description: North Point State Park
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

North Point State Park is a state-owned, public recreation area located on Chesapeake Bay in Edgemere, Baltimore County, Maryland. A portion of the state park's grounds were once the site of Bay Shore Park, which was one of the state's premiere amusement parks during the first half of the 20th century. The park features restored remnants of the old amusement park as well as facilities for swimming, picnicking, bicycling, and hiking. The 667-acre (270 ha) Black Marsh wildlands make up half of the park's area.

A satellite facility, North Point State Battlefield, opened in Dundalk in 2015. The 9-acre (3.6 ha) historical landmark commemorates a portion of the site where the Battle of North Point was fought during the War of 1812.

History

Evidence suggests that the area was first occupied by humans 9000 years ago. During the War of 1812, it was on the route traveled by British troops intent on invading Baltimore from the southeast and several skirmishes were fought there. The site was used for farming for some three and a half centuries prior to its conversion to parkland.

Activities and amenities

The park has several piers and provides beach access to visitors for wading and swimming. There are picnic tables and grills on site. The historical fountain has been restored, as well as the old trolley station, which is used by permit for large gatherings.

The Takos Visitor Center, which opened in 2002, was named in honor of Volunteer Ranger Steve Takos who spearheaded the renovation efforts at the park. It was designed to resemble the amusement's park former hotel and restaurant, and boasts an educational science room, multiple history and nature-oriented exhibits, including a large saltwater fish tank, and a conference room.

Bay Shore Park

Bay shore Amusement Park (or Bay Shore Park) was an amusement park built in 1906 by Otto Simonson and Theodore Wells Pietsch. It was built upon 30 acres of North Point State Park (previously named Black Marsh ) property. During its time, Bay shore Park was a lively and attractive place offering a variety of recreations and relaxation along the Chesapeake Bay. Activities included a dance hall, bowling alley, restaurant, and a pier to the bay. There was also a trolley/streetcar from Baltimore to Bay shore Park, which was one of the ways people got there, the other being by steamboat from Baltimore to the pier. Bay shore Park was considered a must-see attraction in this time. In 1947, a company known as Bethlehem Steel bought the park land, and tore Bay shore Park down. The attractions were moved to a new park, Bay Island Beach, in the 1950s but was also torn down by Bethlehem Steel in the 1960s. The land is now owned by the department of natural resources as of 1987. In 1992, Bay Shore Amusement Park fell under the Maryland Register of Historic properties, because of its association with streetcars. The park was a big proponent of the use of streetcars and used them for recreation. According to Jacques Kelly, who went looking for the park after it was torn down, says the area is still as beautiful as before, calling it a “delightful summertime oasis.” Much of the old facilities, according to Kelly, has survived and/or has been renovated and still is visited with people daily. The landmarks that survived have given tourists and historians information on what the park was originally used for. In 1925, Jimmy Doolittle won the Schneider Trophy seaplane race held at the park that year.
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