User talk:JamesBYoung

The History of North Point Village The area now known as North Point Village was just a point along the way in 1814 when British General Robert Ross and his troops marched up North Point Road (known then as Long Log Lane) and was foiled by 3,000 American volunteers. Historic names like Battle Grove find their origins in the September battle, but history associated very little with the quiet patch of ground and its cove for more than a century, while industry grew around it. The parcel that would become North Point Village was owned by devout Catholic Polish immigrant Cecelia Barcikowski-Widransky, who sold the land in 1948 to developer Theodore Julio and Sons. They planned to build row homes for steelworkers who wanted to live closer to Sparrows Point, then in its heyday. Mrs. Barcikowski-Widransky had one stipulation for the developer – that the streets would honor the saints. Julio kept his word – and also devout – chose a string of mostly minor saints to make the area unique. The developer knew when to reference the modern, as well as the classic, and urged prospective buyers to his site by using the newly constructed North Point Drive-In as a draw and a landmark. The venerable drive-in closed in 1982, but the newer landmark is the state-of-the-art Southeast Regional Rec Center, dedicated in 2002. There was a flurry of activity in the Village beginning in late 1954 and early 1955 as new families began moving in on New Battle Grove, St. Fabian and St. Gregory. Our Family moved into the Village on May 24,1955. on St. Fabian. There were no roads or sidewalks, or even a front porch. We had to walk across a board to get into the house. Already there, was Eder Rd., New Battle Grove, East Battle Grove, Southbend, Old Battle Grove and Battle Grove Rd Circle. At the top of New Battle Grove, there was a house and a bar. At the beginning of South Bend, there was another bar, at the end I remember the house on South Bend Rd where Mrs Klemm had a grocery store in her basement. At the top of St. Fabian sits the Battle Grove Democratic Club which was started in the area in 1933 – 15 years before the construction of NPV and is one of the oldest Political Associations in the country, Mr. Julio sold the land for the shopping center in July 1956, and the builder started construction soon afterwards. I remember Wolf's Restaurant, High's, Read Drugstore, a small Bakery, a Dry Cleaner, Terry's Barber Shop, a Hairdresser and then the A&P. Battle Grove Elementary opened its doors on August 15, 1959. Several gas stations were built along Nt. Pt. Rd and Harley's. The Harley Burger was really something special! Gino's was built in 1962. I worked there my Junior and Sr. years for $1.25 an hour. Girls were not allowed to work there during that time. They came later but could only work the window. I remember the Rollarina. I would have been 15 in 1962 and that is about the age I remember going skating. I started school in 3rd grade at Edgemere and then went to Sparrows Pt Elem. E.Mae Sloan was the principal. She moved on to BGE in 1959. I remember we had to walk across the street to a field for PE class. 7th and 8th grades we went to Sparrows Point Middle School. I then went to Sparrows Point Sr High. Mr. Dowling might have been the principal but I remember Mr. Ritter who began in 1963. Growing up in the Village in the 50's and 60's were a special time. Bike riding (no helmets), skateboards made out of orange crates and roller skate wheels, playing ball behind the Democratic Club, swimming in Bear Creek (It was safe back then). My parents rarely knew where I was, but one thing was for sure, BE HOME FOR DINNER. After dinner it was out to play again. TV only had 3 channels (2, 11 and 13. If you were lucky, you could pick up D.C. on channels 5, 7, and 9). No XBox, No Laptops, No Cellphones. And we knew to be home when the street lights came on. We had several movie theaters. We would take the blue bus to Dundalk Ave where we had the Carlton, Abbey Lane or the Strand. Or we could catch the streetcar to Eastern Ave (by Ourselves) where we had the Grand or Patterson. After years of decline, streetcar service came to a total stop in Baltimore in November 1963. We had two teen centers. The Hut at Dundalk Middle or take the streetcar over a wooden bridge to the Point. So here we are at the Point. Dance is over. Now catch the streetcar back to Dundalk, then take the blue bus back to the Village. I am wondering what time it was when I finally got back home. Later we had record hops at the high school gym and Buddy Deane would come and bring a recording artist! Back then kids had respect for Adults and Teachers. Whenever Ms.Seibel sent a note home to my parents (which was often), I got punished. If you got into an argument with an Adult, you might have been right, UNTIL you TALKED BACK, and then you were wrong. Back then, ALL the neighbors raised ALL the children. If another parent caught you doing some wrong, they yelled at you and then told your parents, who punished you. My best friends were Ross Oliver, Richard Maushardt, Alan Neutzel and Ron Barnes. Some of you may remember my sister Kathy and brother Dave (who is still very active in SPHS sports). I joined the Navy Reserves in my Junior year because they were drafting for Viet Nam and I wasnt about to go there. We lost so many of our friends there. After graduation I enlisted in the regular Navy. Toured the Med (Spain, Italy, France, Turkey, Greece) on a wooden minesweeper. (USS Avenge MSO-423). Then on a nuclear attack submarine (USS Flasher SSN-613) out of Pearl Harbor and made 2 Top Secret tours in Westpac. But I spent time in Guam, Philippines, Japan, and Hong Kong. I feel so sorry for kids growing up today. Its like they dont know what it is like to be a kid. Its more like being a miniature adult. The Village was a great place to grow up. I am sure you have memories.that are different from mine.