20040825 WA History of Belle Grove Square in Westminster

Pictured above is the B. F. Shriver Company plant on Liberty Street, Westminster, Maryland, at what is now known as the “Stone Building” around 1885. The Stone Building is now the home of O’Lordans Irish Pub. This photo is from page 89 of “The Building of Westminster,” by Christopher Weeks, produced for the City of Westminster in 1978. Library of Congress Catalog Card Number 78-74177. I cannot find an ISBN number – but to the best of my knowledge the book is out of print, however, copies on CD can be purchased from the City of Westminster. (updated March 7th, 2007 KED)

History of Belle Grove Square in Westminster

The 111^th Annual Community Demonstration in Belle Grove Square

Westminster Advocate

August 25^th, 2004 by Kevin Dayhoff, Westminster Mayor (528 words)

This Sunday, Westminster will hold its 111^th annual community demonstration in Belle Grove Square. A tradition that began in 1893. It all began during the years following the Civil War when civic minded public improvements and amenities, such as gas lights, water systems, paved roads and concrete sidewalks were important public issues discussed in Westminster.

The coming of the railroad to Westminster in 1861 and the National Banking Act of 1864, accelerated Westminster's process of residential and commercial annexation and mercantile expansion, a process as old as the city itself. Westminster’s first annexation occurred in 1788, just 24 years after the City’s founding in 1764.

In the 1870s, Westminster annexed a residential development by George W. Matthews, which included the area around Belle Grove Square. (Mr. Matthews was part owner of the Wagner and Matthew's Foundry and Machine Shops, where “The Stone Building” is on Liberty Street.) In a tradition and practice carried on to this day; as part of the residential development, Mr. Matthews donated Belle Grove Square (named after his daughter - Carrie Belle) to be a community green space on May 8^th, 1877.

Belle Grove Square was one of the first known deeded green spaces in the City. Belle Grove Square was restored by the GFWC Woman's Club of Westminster in 1976. The Club’s demonstrated civic minded generosity continues as it tends to the gardens to this day. In an interesting twist of historic fate, George W. Matthews’ son, George E. Matthews was the Mayor 60 years later in 1937, when the Westminster Playground was dedicated – the same year Carrie Belle died. (Mayor Matthews was elected in 1926 and died in office in 1938. He was also concurrently the Chief of Police.)

One such civic minded project, in 1893, was the fountain for Belle Grove Square. The cost of the fountain was $398.37. Just as with many other successful community improvements in Westminster, it was entirely paid for with contributions from the private sector, much of which was raised by having a festival. The festival raised $252.64 for the Belle Grove Square Fountain. Compare that to Westminster’s present day Fallfest, which began in 1978, and last year attracted over 40,000 visitors and raised over $25,000 for local charities. Fallfest will be held this year on September 23^rd through the 26^th, 2004. Civic-minded generosity and public demonstrations of coming together as a community have long been a part of Westminster.

The festival that raised money for the fountain in Belle Grove Square was held in 1893, which is also the year to which the Westminster Municipal Band traces its origins. That tradition of coming together in a public demonstration of celebrating community at Belle Grove Square has continued every year for 111 years. Other examples of local celebrations are the Flower and Jazz Festival in May; Celebrate Local Heroes in August, organized by Lori Graham in Dutterer Park (another example of civic minded generosity by another venerable family in Westminster – the Dutterer family) and Fallfest. Won’t you come out and join us for a great demonstration of community on Sunday evening, August 29^th, 2004 and enjoy the annual Westminster Municipal Band concert in Belle Grove Square.