Home > Blogs > Ed Rybczynski > Harford and Cecil County Homes

Historical Perspective = Conversational Capital

By Ed Rybczynski

Real Estate Agent with Integrity Real Estate

August 19, 2007 08:09 AM

Our own Gary White raised a number of interesting points this morning in a post named "How much do you know about your town?" Gary suggests that real estate agents should learn as much as possible about the history of the cities, towns, and communities in which they sell. Without a doubt, such knowledge provides an invaluable library of topics to discuss with prospective buyers. I'm curious by nature and will typically go out of my way to learn more about my hometown, Havre de Grace, and the places that I visit.

My decision to become a title abstractor, many years ago, was due to my love of research and all things related to the past.

The distant voices of those who came before us still resonate in the land. Pay attention to your surroundings, listen closely, and you'll understand what I'm talking about. Local cemeteries are a good place to start when assembling the pieces of the dynamic puzzle that is history. Tombstones offer clues about the ebb and flow of the lives of a local cast of characters. Surnames tell much of the story. Often military service is mentioned as well. Is there a church cemetery in your town guarding the remains of soldiers who fought long ago?

Living sources of information with local flavor surround you. It's simply a matter of searching for them. Books written by amateur historians and sold at local gift shops provide hard to find information. If your town boasts a historical society, why not pay it's office a visit? Participation in Chambers of Commerce offer unique opportunities to mingle with long time residents and business owners.

My favorite story about Havre de Grace was shared by a local shopkeeper. (Carole Cohen: You'll be happy to know that it was the owner of a used book store. Havre de Grace has two of them.) While campaigning for the presidency, John F. Kennedy gave a speech in the center of the small Maryland town. On a number of occasions, J.F.K. referred to the town as "Aberdeen." Aberdeen is a neighboring town located just minutes away. Concerned aides stepped to the podium to correct the Senator from Massachusetts. Eventually, J.F.K. admitted to the crowd that he was able to pronounce "Aberdeen," but his thick New England accent made it difficult for him to say "Havre de Grace."

Stories like this are pure gold and bring places to life. Stories like this are conversational capital to use when selling an area to potential home buyers.

Let's assume that I'm relocating to your area and choose you as my real estate agent.

Do you have any stories with local flavor that you could share with me? Don't be bashful, I love a good story, especially one that's a little seedy.

Comments(36)

Comment

Show All Comments

Sort:

Ed Rybczynski

Integrity Real Estate - Havre de Grace, MD

Your Source for Local Real Estate

Ashley

Great stuff, I look forward to your post. Go ahead, mention the hookers. If they're a legitimate part of Albuquerque's history, they deserve to be included.

Aug 19, 2007 10:10 AM

Ed Rybczynski

Integrity Real Estate - Havre de Grace, MD

Your Source for Local Real Estate

Cyndee

Thanks again for the terrific post earlier today.

Aug 19, 2007 10:12 AM

Ed Rybczynski

Integrity Real Estate - Havre de Grace, MD

Your Source for Local Real Estate

Chris

I love the history of Bonita Springs as you share it. Who would have thought that it was once named "Survey?" The sulfur springs story is great. Are the springs still there? Tell us more.

Aug 19, 2007 10:16 AM

Cyndee Haydon

Charles Rutenberg Realty - Clearwater, FL

727-710-8035 Clearwater, Beach Short Sales Luxury Condos &Homes

Ed - great dialogue and interesting stories- you've got a mini-carnival going here - :-)

Aug 19, 2007 03:39 PM

Beth Butler

Beth Butler - Big Mouth Consulting - Miami, FL

Ed - I have a ton of only in Miami stories... so here is a short one.

Legend has it that Al Capone owned a house in Coral Gables and that during a renovation of the 1920's house, they found bullet holes in the walls that had been sheetrocked over. Remember Geraldo opening the safe? The house has turned over many times in my 20 years in the business and it is said that the house is haunted. The City of Coral Gables is renowned for it's zoning code, but apparently there is no mention of ghosts.

Aug 19, 2007 04:26 PM

Ed Rybczynski

Integrity Real Estate - Havre de Grace, MD

Your Source for Local Real Estate

Cyndee

Thanks. I would love to hear more stories from around the country.

Aug 19, 2007 11:22 PM

Ed Rybczynski

Integrity Real Estate - Havre de Grace, MD

Your Source for Local Real Estate

Beth

Havre de Grace has volumes of history, but I've yet to hear a single ghost story. Al Capone was a busy guy. He apparently was involved in a gambling operation in HdG. I probably shouldn't say this, but I did time in the same federal pen as Capone. Thanks for sharing.

Aug 19, 2007 11:29 PM

Chris Griffith

Downing-Frye Realty, Bonita Springs, FL - Bonita Springs, FL

Bonita Springs Listing Specialist - Agent

So how does one pronounce Havre de Grace?

Aug 19, 2007 11:32 PM

Chris Griffith

Downing-Frye Realty, Bonita Springs, FL - Bonita Springs, FL

Bonita Springs Listing Specialist - Agent

Oh, and are there ice cream stores in Havre de Grace?

Aug 19, 2007 11:33 PM

Ed Rybczynski

Integrity Real Estate - Havre de Grace, MD

Your Source for Local Real Estate

Chris

There was a single ice cream shop in town when I first moved here in 1999. It was located on main street and aptly named "Ice Dreams." Apparently, certain illegal substances were being sold along with waffle cones.

You don't know what ice cream does to me. I get addicted quickly.

Aug 19, 2007 11:37 PM

Chris Griffith

Downing-Frye Realty, Bonita Springs, FL - Bonita Springs, FL

Bonita Springs Listing Specialist - Agent

Might I get you to post about another ice cream store that doesn't offer special herbs and enter it into the ice cream carnival? LOL

Aug 19, 2007 11:39 PM

Ed Rybczynski

Integrity Real Estate - Havre de Grace, MD

Your Source for Local Real Estate

Chris

Havre de Grace is pretty much pronounced the way it's spelled. A lot of people incorrectly say "havre de graw.". It's "havre de gr ahh ce."

Aug 19, 2007 11:42 PM

Linda Davis

RE/MAX Home Team - Gales Ferry, CT

I lived in Havre de Grace for 4 months back in 1971. We drove there right from our wedding - no time for a honeymoon since my husband was in Nuclear Power School in Bainbridge. It was absolutely lovely. We used to go to the movies for $1 on Sundays.

Aug 20, 2007 10:04 AM

Ed Rybczynski

Integrity Real Estate - Havre de Grace, MD

Your Source for Local Real Estate

Linda

Do you remember the name of the street on which you lived? I live just a couple of homes away from the Concord Point Lighthouse. I can see it from my deck. My community is basically built around a marina named Logpond. Now most of the waterfront is graced by a promenade.

The town is as lovely as it ever was. I fell in love with the place back in the 80's, but couldn't afford to live here at the time. My house is just steps away from Bomboy's Chocolate Factory if you remember that.

Aug 20, 2007 10:17 AM

Ed Rybczynski

Integrity Real Estate - Havre de Grace, MD

Your Source for Local Real Estate

Linda

Another thought: Bainbridge is closed now, but the Tomb School remains open and as preppy as ever. Perryville is a thriving town with cafe's, shops, restaurants, etc. It's a beautiful place.

Aug 20, 2007 10:22 AM

Linda Davis

RE/MAX Home Team - Gales Ferry, CT

It was 37 years ago. We only lived there for 4 months. My husband graduated from the Naval Academy. We loved the location and spent lots of time visiting DC since everything was free there and we were just married. I was 20 years old. My husband and I looked at a map. We both believe it was Lafayette Street. We think. Actually I'm pretty sure. LOL It was within walking distance of the bay. If it wasn't Lafayette street, it was pretty close to that location. We used to walk to a park

Aug 20, 2007 01:29 PM

Linda Davis

RE/MAX Home Team - Gales Ferry, CT

Just had another thought...my son Jeff was conceived there!

Aug 20, 2007 01:30 PM

Ed Rybczynski

Integrity Real Estate - Havre de Grace, MD

Your Source for Local Real Estate

Linda

Wow - it's a very small world indeed. I used to live in Annapolis. I was married at Saint Marys in town. Ask your husband if he remembers an engineering instructor named Capt. (John) Eshman. John was my father-in-law.

Aug 20, 2007 10:04 PM

Ed Rybczynski

Integrity Real Estate - Havre de Grace, MD

Your Source for Local Real Estate

Linda

Lafayette Street makes sense. The park is used for numerous festivals every year. The town of HdG is now renowned for it's festivals. There's a promenade that starts at the park and meanders around the coastline. It's incredible because there is no commercialization at all.

Aug 20, 2007 10:12 PM

Linda Davis

RE/MAX Home Team - Gales Ferry, CT

I was in Annapolis last year for a conference What a great little town! My husband doesn't remember the name Eshman but you know what happens when you get old?!

Aug 21, 2007 02:44 AM