North Point State Park
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| North Point State Park | |
|---|---|
| Type | Public Park |
| Location | Edgemere, MD |
| Coordinates | |
| Size | 1320 Acres |
| Opened | 1987 |
| Operated by | Maryland Department of Natural Resources |
| Status | Open All Year
Monday - Sunday 8AM - Sunset |
North Point State Park is a Chesapeake Bay waterfront park located in Edgemere, MD. The park is situated on the grounds that once were the home of Bay Shore Amusement Park, which was one of the premiereamusement parks in Maryland from 1906 - 1947. Current visitors to the park can enjoy hiking, wading, birdwatching, bicycling, fishing, picnicking, group events, and remnants of Bay Shore Park, such as the restored Trolley Station and fountain.
Contents |
[edit] History
[edit] Pre-20th Century
The North Point property has been continuously farmed for almost 350 years, with evidence of human occupation dating back 9000 years. During the War of 1812, the North Point area was the site of skirmishes between local colonists and British troops invading Baltimore from the Southeastern flank. The route to Baltimore passed through the present day park and is known today as the "Defender's Trail".
[edit] Bay Shore Amusement Park
Built in 1906, Bay Shore Park was a major attraction for Baltimoreans who took the trolley out from the city to enjoy recreation and relaxation on the Chesapeake. The park included a dance hall, a bowling alley, a restaurant, gardens, and a pier jutting out into the Bay. Bay Shore Park was demolished in the 1940's when Bethlehem Steel bought the land, but visitors today can stroll through the old trolley barn (which is presently being restored) and the rest of the park grounds.
[edit] Bay Shore Pier
The Pier extended 1000 feet out into the bay, beginning at the site of the carousel. Often called 'Crystal Pier', its sea walls were built out of concrete. At the park end of the pier, it met up with 600 feet of seawall built to protect the park and streetcar line.
Two small roofed shelters were built near both ends of the pier. A longer shelter was built in the center of the pier. These piers would allow visitors a break from the sun and a chance to admire a perfect view of the bay. At the outer end of the pier a two-story pavilion was erected. The pier was not completed at the time that the park first opened because the builders were having problems pumping the water out of the center of it.
The pier was a popular place for people of the day to stroll and display their fineries. As you can see in the picture above, the pier sported many well dressed visitors.
[edit] Beach
From its opening days, Bay Shore Park boasted salt water bathing in the Chesapeake Bay. There was a large bathhouse, where bathers recived a key to a locker which stored their personal effects.
For the bathers amusement, there were two slides. The Water Toboggan allowed bathers to ride in pairs on a small sled directly into the water. The second slide was further out in the water, smaller than the toboggan, and had water running over it for a smooth ride down the slide.
For those who were a little less daring, there was a 'chicken ramp', which stretched the length of the promenade pier. The ramp rose and fell with the tides, and allowed the bathers to enter the water slowly.
One of the most popular rides at the park was actually in the water. This ride was called the Sea Swing. Located in the Bay in front of the beach, this ride had swings attached to it. The ride rotated, sending the riders in a wide circle over the Bay, where they could dip their feet in the water while they rode. The Sea Swing was very popular, but had to ultimately be removed due to rising insurance costs.
At the end of the pier, there was a large platform with a diving board for more experienced swimmers. There was a lifeguard on duty, who watched from a rowboat equipped with all necessary life-saving equipment.
[edit] Ferry Grove Pier
Ferry Grove Pier was not originally a part of Bay Shore Park. Located just north of Bay Shore, Ferry Grove offered dining and dancing, moonlight bathing, boat rentals and fishing from the pier itself.
Steamboat ferries shuttled visitors from Rock Hall to Ferry Grove and back. Charter boats from Rock Hall would also bring fisherman to Ferry Grove for a day of fishing on the Chesapeake. The charter boat crews would sometimes spend the night, taking fisherman from Ferry Grove fishing in the early morning.
In the 40's, due to the growing popularity of Ferry Grove, arrangements were made to drop passengers on the trolley to North Point off at Ferry Grove Pier. This was done without charging an additional toll.
[edit] Fountain
The fountain was the centerpiece of the park and a gathering area for visitors. It was fed with water from an artesian well and the spraying of the water was said to remove iron.
Four sidewalks, pointing like a compass, led from the fountain to various spots in the park. The sidewalk pointing towards the bay led to the 208 foot Trolley Station, which housed the trolley cars that shuttled passengers to and from the park.
Clockwise around the fountain, the sidewalk to the right of the fountain led to a 2000 seat music pavilion with an orchestra shell with ornamental columns and trusses.
The sidewalk pointing away from the bay led to the Restaurant.
The last sidewalk led to an 82x82 pavilion that had a billiard room on the lower level and a dance floor on the upper level. When 'moving pictures' became popular, part of the dance hall was eventually closed and hand-cranked movie machines were installed. Eventually, the hand-cranked machines became outdated and were removed. The walls were torn down and the floor was once again opened totally for dancing.
[edit] Resturant
The restaurant was sometimes referred to as a hotel. Although it was not a hotel, some of the employees did, in fact, live there.
The restaurant was a 104 foot long, two story building with a tower at each corner and dormers on the roof. It was connected to the music and dancing pavillions by open Roman pergola. The purpose of the pergola was to separate these buildings and the fountain from the amusment area of the park. The restaurant, like the other pavillions, was illuminated at night with thousands of incandescent lights.
During the early years of the restaurant, patrons could order a full seafood dinner for only 75 cents.
[edit] Trolly Station
From the opening of the park in 1906 until its later years in the 1940's, the park was only accessible by Trolley. Like most amusement parks opened in and around the early 1900's, North Point's sole purpose for existence was to increase trolley ridership. The park was owned and operated by the United Railway and Electric Company.
The Trolley Station is 208 feet long, supported by Georgia Yellow Pine beams, with a clere-story on the top, which mimicked the streetcars, or 'trolleys', running at the time. Park Wildlife Park Programs Find all your outdoor needs here! The Trolley Station - early 1900's Now: The Trolley Station has become a popular place for large group gatherings: picnics, reunions, weddings and wedding receptions, etc. It can accommodate up to 400 people, has electricity available, and offers a wonderful view of the Chesapeake Bay. The beach is only a few feet away. The Trolley Station is available for rental and can only be used by permit.
Interested in renting the Trolley Station for your next group event? Click here for more information. The sands of time... The Trolley Station - 1999 back to History Main Page The station could house four cars at a time. The Trolley Station housed the now famous #26 Trolley, or 'Red Rocket' as it became affectionately known.
In the hot summers from 1906 to 1947, Baltimoreans could hop aboard the No. 26 "Red Rocket' trolley (streetcar) from Fayette and Pearl Streets in downtown Baltimore. From there, about 150 or so people, 50 seated, would wind their way through East Baltimore to Eastern Avenue, to Dundalk through Turner's Station, across the Bear Creek Bridge to 9th and D at Sparrows Point. The trolley met a three car 'jerkwater' at 9th and D that shuttled passengers to and from Bay Shore Park. The trip lasted about an hour. The trolley cars were loaded in the Trolley Station next to the roller coaster in the park center. This may have been the only place in the country where a streetcar passed directly under a ride at an amusement park.
[edit] Areas of the Park
[edit] Pier
The pier still exists, but the shelters, the railings and much of the seawall have been removed or have deteriorated.
Now it is a popular spot for strollers, fishermen, runners and bikers. A visit to North Point would not be complete without a stroll on the pier.
From the pier you can see the Bay Bridge, Ferry Grove Pier, both lighthouses of the Craighill Lower Range, Ft. Howard park, ships coming out of the harbor heading to the C& D Canal or to points south, and all of the water activities you would expect to see on the Chesapeake Bay.
[edit] Beach
Visitors to the park stop on the beach to admire the view of the bay, picnic, sunbathe, wade, or to let their dogs cool off. Picnic tables and grills are available on a first-come, first-served basis.
The beach was opened for wading in 1999. It has once again become a popular spot on hot Baltimore summer afternoons.
[edit] Ferry Grove Pier
Ferry Grove Pier can be seen from the shoreline and is accessible from the Ferry Grove trail in the Black Marsh Wildlands area. However, the pier is gated shut due to the fact that it is deteriorating and unsafe, it also is occasionally the site of nesting Least Terns, and on at least one occasion, has been a resting stop for Brown Pelicans.
Also visble from the pier and from most of the waterfront in the park, are three submerged concrete barges from World War 1 that were sunk at the park in the early 1950's. This area is also used as a working duck blind during hunting season. It is available during hunting season on a lottery basis.
[edit] Fountain
The fountain was painstakingly restored under the loving supervision of Ranger Steve Takos. It is fully functional.
[edit] Takos Visitor Center
What remained of the foundation of the Bay Shore Park resturant was recently dug up for the construction of the new Visitors Center. The visitor center has been completed and is open Wednesday - Sunday, 11:00AM - 4:00PM (Memorial Day - Labor Day).
[edit] Trolley Station
The Trolley Station has become a popular place for large group gatherings: picnics, reunions, weddings and wedding receptions, etc. It can accommodate up to 400 people, has electricity available, and offers a wonderful view of the Chesapeake Bay. The beach is only a few feet away. The Trolley Station is available for rental and can only be used by permit.
[edit] External links
 |
This Maryland state location article is a stub. You can help Wikipedia and WikiProject Maryland by expanding it. |
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||
