History Shark Productions
  • Home
  • About
    • "What's in a Name?"
    • Slideshow
  • History Course Offerings
    • "Frederick History 101" Course >
      • 200 Level Courses
      • Nightime Walking Tours and More Frederick History Courses
      • Black (African American) History Courses
    • Gift Certificates
  • Presentation
    • Cemetery History and "Stories in Stone"
    • Presentation Rate Card
  • Organizational Storytelling
    • Interpretive Media Rate Card
    • Frederick County Association of Realtors History
    • History of United Way of Frederick County
  • Family Legacy
    • "My Father, My Hero"
    • "Connecting the Dots"
    • Pricing >
      • Collaborative Research Call/Visit
      • Interview Project Schedule & Cost
  • Blog-HSP History
  • Miscellaneous
    • Past Projects
    • Awards and Honors
    • Press Clippings/Links
  • Rate Card
  • Contact
  • 2025 HSP Tour/Class Dates

HSP HISTORY Blog

Interesting Frederick, Maryland tidbits and musings .

Frederick and Valentine’s Day—Part 2: “Burning” Love

2/18/2016

10 Comments

 
Picture
In last week’s blog, we talked about the forgotten Frederick “hot spot” known as Love Lane. Today, it’s commonly known as East Street. In part 2 of this “Valentine themed” Frederick history post, I want to revisit another romantic local option for couples living a century ago.  This was the newly laid out Lover’s Lane, part of a larger amusement resort known as Lake View, the “lovechild” of county businessman Charles J. Ramsburg.

Located six miles north of the City of Frederick, rail transportation could bring pleasure seekers to a peaceful setting that featured a casino, hotel and namesake lake.  Ramsburg was a native of nearby Lewistown, having grown up on a farm originally laid out by his grandfather Jacob.  In addition to the family trade of farming, Charles found success in the late 1800’s goldfish boom, and was one of the county’s largest exporters. Ramsburg was also an investor in the Westminster, Frederick and Gettysburg Railroad, which would traverse property owned by his family. He would obtain this land and concoct a scheme to cash-in on the new trolley line that would connect Frederick and Thurmont. 

In 1908, Charles Ramsburg merged his many fishponds together, forming a large lake in the shadow of picturesque Catoctin Mountain to the west. Now that he had an attractive setting, he looked to capitalize on the rail transportation line’s ability to deliver visitors in same manner as neighboring local mountain retreats such as Braddock Heights and Pen Mar Park.

Picture
View of Charles J. Ramsburg's Lake View Casino ca. 1909 (photo courtesy of the R.S. Kinnaird Collection of Historic Thurmont Photographs)
Picture
Clipping for Lake View Casino (January 7, 1909 edition of the Frederick Daily News)
At the top of a hillside that overlooked his manmade lake, Mr. Ramsburg began construction on an elaborate amusement structure in the form of a casino. Once complete, this would be a two-story building, 116 by 90 feet, with a first class skating rink and beautiful dance hall.  On the first floor were located four bowling alleys, a pool room, and cloak and toilet rooms.  Guests were invited to utilize the lake for bathing, swimming and boating as row boats were made readily available.  For others, a romantic stroll on Lover’s Lane took guests around the perimeter of the lake—certainly worth the trip to the new resort.
                 
One month prior to opening his casino, Mr. Ramsburg nearly experienced a disaster when his structure was struck by lightning as finishing touches were being added.  A newspaper account from August 9, 1908 says that minimal damage was suffered and project workmen were “slightly stunned by the bolt.”

Picture
Frederick Daily News clipping of Lake View Casino's Grand Opening (September 10, 1908)
The Lake View Casino opened in early September, 1908, and the venture seemed an instant success, prompting Mr. Ramsburg to make plans to construct a neighboring hotel. This would become a reality. Four stories in height, the hotel afforded magnificent views in all directions, made all the more accessible with a roof garden.  The structure was described as “magnificent,” readily equipped with all modern conveniences and having the ability to accommodate up to hundred guests at a time.
Picture
Picture
Sadly, the full potential of the site was never seen. The casino experienced a devastating fire just prior to the grand opening of the hotel in May 1910. Two explanations for the fire survive: one that a candle fell into Spanish moss causing the fire; and another points to arson. Ramsburg had grossly under-insured his building, and with the outlay for the hotel, he was not in the position to rebuild the casino.

The Lake View Hotel hosted pleasure-seekers over the next four years but would suffer the same fate as the casino on June 16, 1914. Just days before opening for the summer season, the Lake View Hotel burned to the ground. This time, a faulty heating apparatus was to blame. Mr. Ramsburg should have taken that earlier lightning bolt as a bad omen.


Picture
Frederick Post newspaper headline announcing the destruction of the Lake View Hotel (June 17, 1914)
Charles Ramsburg gave up on his endeavors in the hospitality resort industry, and went back to an enterprise that was decidedly “fireproof.” In the 1920 census, his occupation is listed as that of a pisciculturist—aka fish breeder. He had returned to putting his full attention to the business of raising goldfish.  

In 1916, the Maryland Conservation Commission had assessed the state for future fish hatcheries, especially with regard to trout. The following year, Lewistown was selected for the commission's first hatchery. In the process, the state would also stock Ramsburg’s Lake View lake with a supply of small-mouth bass, crappie and catfish. Lake View once again became the scene for “lovers,” but this time, it was solely of the aquatic variety. Mr. Ramsburg’s influence would also have a profound effect on the son of his next door neighbors Milton and Rosanna Powell.  Their son, Albert M. Powell would develop a love of fish as well, destined to serve as the longtime Superintendent of Maryland State Fish Hatcheries.

Picture
Current era Google Earth view of Lake View "lake" just southwest of Lewistown (looking east from US15)
10 Comments
Its a secret
2/17/2016 01:31:47 pm

Well I have to say with regards to the fishing on the lake, it is better then ever!

Reply
Arlinda Germeroth Sothoron
2/17/2016 07:53:56 pm

Wow, great article, Chris! This is the property next to my parents, where I grew up. I had heard a little of the history growing up and my mom has a postcard of the hotel, but your photos and old news articles are amazing. Great research and writing!

Reply
Douglas Claytor
2/18/2016 02:58:34 am

Excellent article Chris! Thank you! I really enjoy articles on the history of my neighborhood. This Ramsburg family is descended from Steven Ramsburg leader of the 18th.c. German community in Frederick County. I hope a short history of Lewistown and Utica are next!

Reply
Mary Boswell
2/18/2016 03:44:31 am

Love this, Chris!

Reply
Yvonne Dolski
2/18/2016 05:36:34 pm

Very interesting article. I have lived here a long time and had never heard about this. Great information about the history of our beautiful county.

Reply
Chris Haugh link
2/19/2016 05:54:19 am

I want to thank all of you for the kind words and taking the time to leave comments...much appreciated.

Reply
Christina King
3/9/2022 08:07:23 pm

Hi Chris— In the 1960s, my uncle Bud Conway and my fathers sister June Esther Conway owned this property and the farm across Route 15. Sadly my aunt was killed on route 15 trying to drive across to their other farm. Makes me sad to see this as I have fond memories of visiting their as a kid. Thank you for bringing our history back. Many blessings- Chris King ( your Neighbor from childhood)

Reply
Marie Jagielski
2/21/2016 04:32:49 pm

Very interesting read. One of my ancestors was Jacob Ramsburg. Thank you for this wonderful glimpse back in time.

Reply
Beate Varrecchia
12/5/2017 11:48:33 am

Hi,
Thank you very much for this, it is very interesting! I knew of the hotel and lake, but it has been difficult to find pictures . I have lived in Lewistown for 15 years, and love it!

Reply
Sterling Stone Martin
10/5/2019 09:40:25 am

Chris - I am researching my grandfather, Albert H. Stone and I believe that he was the manager of the Lewistown skating rink beginning in August of 1908. I live in San Diego but was born in DC and have family in the Frederick area. I was recently there for vacation and did a bit of research on Albert. He also was connected with the casino at Braddock Heights possibly again as the manager. I was able to find references to him with the help of a researcher at the Frederick Historical Museum. Do you have any other articles or information on him? All of this is new to our family and we are anxious to learn more about him. Thank you!

Reply



Leave a Reply.

    Author

    Chris Haugh
    (History Shark Productions-research/writing/guide & documentation services)

    Archives

    February 2024
    April 2022
    May 2020
    June 2018
    May 2018
    November 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015

    Categories

    All

    RSS Feed

Proudly powered by Weebly
  • Home
  • About
    • "What's in a Name?"
    • Slideshow
  • History Course Offerings
    • "Frederick History 101" Course >
      • 200 Level Courses
      • Nightime Walking Tours and More Frederick History Courses
      • Black (African American) History Courses
    • Gift Certificates
  • Presentation
    • Cemetery History and "Stories in Stone"
    • Presentation Rate Card
  • Organizational Storytelling
    • Interpretive Media Rate Card
    • Frederick County Association of Realtors History
    • History of United Way of Frederick County
  • Family Legacy
    • "My Father, My Hero"
    • "Connecting the Dots"
    • Pricing >
      • Collaborative Research Call/Visit
      • Interview Project Schedule & Cost
  • Blog-HSP History
  • Miscellaneous
    • Past Projects
    • Awards and Honors
    • Press Clippings/Links
  • Rate Card
  • Contact
  • 2025 HSP Tour/Class Dates