Our History

THE EARLY YEARS: 1906 - 1929

On October 18, 1906 William T. Hayes and Barbara Hayes (wife) conveyed to the Severn Realty Co “Rockhold’s Addition” consisting of 122 acres plus property reserved for burial grounds. William T. Hayes had obtained the tract in 1896 from Thomas H. Brown who, by deed, established the burial grounds. This burial ground still exists at the corner of Cypress Creek Rd. and Dill Road. At this location, there are still several headstones marking the graves of members of the Brown family.

This started development of the area. The Severn Realty Co. proceeded to subdivide the tract into 13 sections; however, Section One was the only section divided into lots. All lots were placed on the real estate market. This section also included a wharf, which in the deed is referred to as “Rice’s Wharf” in the same location as the existing “Community Pier.” Rice’s Wharf obtained its name sometime in the 1850’s from its property owner. These lots sold rapidly and some deeds were recorded early in the year 1907. The lots continued to sell in the area and there was a mix of those who lived year-round and those who used this as a summer get-away from the City of Baltimore.

As more people came into the area they would socialize and enjoy life. Therefore, it was decided in 1924 to hold a carnival. The first carnival was on August 22nd and 23rd in 1924. It included:

Straight Sales Paddle Wheels Cake Table Candy Stand Fancy Table Country Store Ice Cream Ham Stand Sodas

They also had a Punch and Judy show and a dance floor with a 5-piece orchestra. Candies were from Martha Washington Co.; lumber was from J.F. Johnson Lumber Co.; electricity was provided by Annapolis & Chesapeake Bay Power; and J. Schmidt did the hauling. The first carnival netted a profit of $1,044.25, which was deposited into Citizens Savings Bank of Baltimore, Maryland, account #48901 on October 11, 1924. With the success of the first carnival it was decided to have another one on July 3rd and 4th of 1925. This event was very similar to the 1924 carnival; however, they did not make as a large a profit. The 1925 carnival netted $433.49.

During 1925 there were other disbursements. In April work was done on the wharf at a cost of $340.25, which was a major expense at the time. However, after the gain from the carnival and disbursements they still had $1,153.10 in the bank.

With the success of the carnivals and with additional property owners coming into the area it was decided to establish a community improvement association and to incorporate. They developed a set of Bylaws and named the organization “Cypress Improvement Association.” The Articles of Incorporation were filed:

“Subscribers: Herbert I Garcelon, PO Address Severna Park, AA County, MD; Albert P.C. Krieger, PO Address 311 N. Calhorn St., Baltimore, MD

Name: Cypress Improvement Association Inc.

Purpose: The purpose for which the corporation is formed, and the business or objects to be carried on and promoted by it are as follows:

a) Promote the general welfare of the residents of Cypress Creek and vicinity in AA County, MD, for the improvement of said locality; and to concern itself in all matters affecting the aforesaid community and its interest.
b) To make contracts, incur liabilities and borrow money.
c) To acquire by purchase or in other manner and to take, receive, hold, use, and employ, sell, mortgage, lease, dispose of, and otherwise deal in and with money, property, real or personal. Including the stock of other corporations situated in or out of the State of Maryland, which may be appropriated to enable it to carry o the operation or fulfill the purpose named in the certification of incorporation.
d) To make By-Laws not inconsistent with the law for the government and for the administration of its affairs.
e) Generally to exercise the powers set forth in the certificate of incorporation and also to do every other actor thing not inconsistent with the law, which maybe appropriate to promote and attain the objects and purposes for which the corporation in formed.
f) The forgoing clauses are to be construed, both as objectives and powers.”

The State Tax Commissioner of Maryland received the Certificate of Incorporation on March 20, 1926 at 10:00 AM, and approved it as in conformity with the law and ordered it to be recorded. The organization was now officially the “Cypress Improvement Association Inc.”

By-Laws were printed and distributed to the members. {Picture of the small booklet titled By-Laws Cypress Improvement Association Inc. Severna Park, MD} The By-Laws included these items of interest:

Member resident for 3 months or more in Cypress Creek of vicinity.
Dues $2 per year paid semi-annually.
Board: 5 members elected at annual meeting. Each must be a property owner.
Meeting: Annual meeting 1st Saturday in June at which time board and officers elected. Other meetings: 1st Saturday in July, August, September, November and February each year.
Note: This placed them on the fiscal year June 1 through May 31st.

With all this taking place they still held a carnival on August 27th and 28th in 1926. The carnival used the same format as the other two. Why not have a carnival? After all, this was the Roaring Twenties! This again was a moneymaker; they gained $746.81.

There was no carnival in 1927. However, expenses on the wharf continued; lumber, labor, and sand equaled $97.98. The association requested and received permission to dredge the mouth of Cypress Creek 100 ft. by 200 ft. to a depth of 8 feet MLW. Channel improvement cost $1,455.77. It appears the dredging was done in the month of August. Prices were somewhat different then from today:

40 gallons of gas and 5 gallons of oil cost $14.60.
Dredging by the Gibson Island Co. cost $348.05 for 89 hours.
Channel plans from JKE Diffenderffer cost $15.00.

In June 1928 times were good, people had other things to occupy their leisure time, fishing and crabbing were very good in the area. There was no carnival in 1928. Interest appeared to be waning. Therefore, the association sent to all members the following letter:

“Dear Member:
Do you remember how willingly and gladly we assembled to carry out our first open Carnival, and later the success of which urged us on to become fully organized and incorporated?
It would not be amiss at this time to recall to your mind the results of our endeavors and especially the effect it had in opening the eyes of the general public to our strength, and also in brining our little community to the attention of the officials in Annapolis. Our strength and power was very successfully brought to bear at the time the Severna Park Improvement Association endeavored to run its sewerage into our creek through Mr. Stahl’s property. This was, indeed, a case were influence and power of men higher up in the affairs of the general welfare and health of a community was the necessary trump to play, and we surely came out with flying colors, much to our great relief and happiness.
This is only one of our important affairs where cooperation was needed and we can be thankful, indeed, that we were they fully organized, Our Road Committee, which was appointed at our very first meeting, is still faithfully serving us, and we all can appreciate the results obtained WITHOUT COST through their most valuable time and efforts. Our road is regularly scraped and repaired and the lights extend to the Annapolis Boulevard. The Chairman of the Road Committee, Mr. E. O., Dill, has voluntarily taken charge of the lights.
Other major improvements which cost approximately $1800. – were the deepening of the channel, and the rebuilding of the old county wharf. Since there will naturally be a need for up-keep and repair of the these and other minor improvements of the community, the members of the Cypress Improvement Association, at their last meeting, were unanimous in declaring that by all means we should hold together and urge all members are in arrears in their dues to pledge their full-hearted support and interest, which may be called upon at any time.
Therefore, dear members, think over this important call and signify your intention by paying your obligation of two dollars per year. Will you? An enclosed statement will acquaint you with your standing.
At your service,
The Cypress Improvement Association, Inc
A.P.G. Krieger
Acting Secretary
401 W. Baltimore Street, Baltimore, Maryland”

The letter above sounds familiar to the present association.

In the area between the first and second Amoss Roads was a field of daisies. On Friday evenings the families would bury the weekly garbage at this location. They would also take the time to chat while the children and dogs played.

However, everyone must not have followed this procedure. In a letter dated November 27, 1928, the acting secretary wrote to the members:

“The association requests all Property Owners to inform their tenants to burn or bury their garbage, and not throw same in the creek nor strew it along the road as they pass out in their automobiles. It is not only extremely unsightly, but also unsanitary”

June 1, 1929 to May 31, 1930; No Carnival. Times are getting hard. The Great Depression has hit. Little money is coming in. What was coming in was from dues. Bank balance Mary 31, 1930 was $310.60. Spent $37.00 for cinders for the road.

FINANCIAL RECORDS 1930’S – 1940’S

The following were depression years, and there was little money for anything other than the essentials at home. As a result, some of the years there were no dues were paid. However, the Association stayed intact and maintained facilities that needed to be maintained.

June 1, 1930 to May 31, 1931 $360.29
June 1, 1931 to May 31, 1932 $294.69
June 1, 1932 to May 31, 1933 $258.09
June 1, 1933 to May 31, 1934 $244.06
June 1, 1934 to May 31, 1935 $251.93
June 1, 1935 to May 31, 1936 $258.25
June 1, 1936 to May 31, 1937 $229.40 *Wharf repairs $35.00
June 1, 1937 to May 31, 1938 $236.09
June 1, 1938 to May 31, 1939 $258.03

Throughout this period repairs were made to the wharf. The Association realized this was essential and had to be maintained.

June 1, 1939 to May 31, 1940

Received Disbursements
Interest $5.00
Road $5.00
Dues $2.00
Stamp $2.00
Letters and Letterhead $6.70
Donation for typewriter to Severna Park H.S. $15.00
Fire Extinguisher (water) $48.70
20 Year Lease wharf to Severna Park Co. $76.00
Recording lease $2.70
Copies of Constitution $6.00

June 1, 1941 to May 31, 1942

Receipts Disbursements

$192.82 $159.00
(Had a bingo party) (Including wharf repairs)

“August 29, 1941
Letter to District Engineer
Request to maintain bulkhead in Cypress Creek off the Magothy River, AA County. Bulkhead is already in place having been constructed by others prior to the expectation of our lease on the land in from of which the bulkhead is located.”

1942 through 1946 – War years. Not much activity reported.

POST-WORLD WAR II: 1950’S TO PRESENT

In the 1950’s and 1960’s there was some expansion of the area; however, this was mainly in the form of in-fill lots and private building.

In the 1970’s water and sewer lines were extended into the area. These facilities brought with them developments, some of which were:

Longmeadow North
Cypress Gardens
Lochwood
Ross Landing

This trend also continues through the 1980’s and 1990’s to the present time.

The expansion was from the waterfront toward Ritchie Highway.

From the late 1970’s to present the Association has continued to host social affairs. It also has provided oversight of developments and has worked with the Severna Park Council to protect the interests of the Cypress Creek residents. The Association has encouraged some development, but fought developments of higher density housing including townhouses, which would have had a significant impact on traffic volume. The Association also fought sending children to Chesapeake High School.

Today the Association has a strong group of officers and directors. The purpose of the Association remains very much the same as described in the 1926 By-Laws. However, in 1981, the By-Laws were reviewed, re-written, and approved by the membership. The purpose stated was:

“To promote the goodwill and general welfare of the residents of Cypress Creek Community, in greater Severna Park, and localities adjacent to or bordering upon the Magothy Rive and its tributaries in Anne Arundel County, Maryland. To take such concerted action as is deemed proper to protect, preserve and improve the appearance, value, and convenience of the property in the aforementioned areas.”

Landmarks

Keefe’s Store (A) - In 1911 Jeremiah Keefe and his wife purchased property on Creek Rd. from Frank McCrea. They built a house and smaller building which was operated as a store. The local residents and fishermen would buy canned meats, soda, ice cream, bread, beer, fishing bait, and gasoline. They also had a pier where fishermen could arrive by boat. After Mr. Keefe passed away his daughter, Carrie Bauer, continued to operate the store. After her death in 1962 her daughter, Edna Bauer, and her husband continued to operate the store. In 1973 the property was sold and the store was closed. Today the building still exists and is a private residence at 653A Creek Rd.

Struble’s Marina (B) - Known as Captain Tom’s Marina, the marina was operated by T. Reese. The marina contained piers and buildings and sold many different supplies and gasoline. The marina was sold to Mr. Struble who changed the name. In addition to the residence, the property had pier access for 21 large boat slips and 11 small boat slips. In 1988 the property was sold to Lewis and Wilma Heck.

Graveyard of the Brown Family (C) - The graveyard is located on the corner of the Cypress Creek Rd. and Dill Rd. This is a one-half acre parcel that was dedicated in a deed in the mid-1800’s by the owner, Mr. Brown. A few headstones still mark some of the graves. In 2001 the developer of Cypress Glen wanted to relocate the graveyard, so an archeologist and anthropologist and some county workers started to excavate the graveyard. After unearthing 11 or 12 caskets, a number of which were small infant or child-size, the plan to relocate the graveyard was abandoned, and the graveyard remains as it was.

Jack Sipe Athletic Field (D) - The athletic fields located on the north side of Cypress Creek Road between Baltimore-Annapolis Boulevard and Governor Ritchie Highway (Route 2) were named in honor of Jack Sipe by Resolution 34-75 of the County Council, adopted June 16, 1975. Harold Sipe, Sr. was president of the Cypress Improvement Association in the 1960’s and dedicated much of his time to youth in the community. He also supported the building of the Severna Park Library on McKinsey Road, the athletic fields on Cypress Creek Road, and numerous other projects in Severna Park.

Community Pier (E) - Located at the end of Cypress Creek Road, this was originally called Rice’s Wharf and appears in many older deeds in the area. It was probably built by Mr. Rice in the mid-1800’s (1850 to 1860) to provide a terminus for shipping local farm products and other supplies to near-by markets. Over the years the Association has maintained the pier. The Association leased the pier until 1957, when the Association became its owner. In 1995 the pier was razed and completely rebuilt.

Lockwood Bog (F) - Located on Dill Road the bog contains several endangered trees and plants, such as the Atlantic White Cedar tree and Box Huckleberry plant, which are under federal and state protection. Dr. Keith Underwood, a private professional environmentalist, has developed material on the bog. In 1999, when a new development wanted to run its storm water into the bog, Dr. Underwood testified before the authorities as to the detrimental effects their plan would have on the bog.

The Estate (G) - The property on the corner of Cypress Creek Road and Creek Road (651 Creek Road) was classified as an Estate during the 1920’s and 1930’s. It was owned by a retired opera singer; Mrs. Theis. During the 1930’s when Ritchie Highway was being built, Mrs. Theis rented rooms to the construction workers and, on occasion, would sing for them.

Cypress Inn (H) - The house at 248 Cypress Creek Road consisted of 10 rooms and was known in the 1930’s as the “Cypress Inn.” The owner also rented rooms to the State Highway officials during the construction of Ritchie Highway. In 1948 dog kennels were built and the name became the “Gay-Ross Kennels,” where many champion Boxers and Pugs were produced. The owner/handler retired in 1988.

St John’s Church (I) - In 1957 St. John the Evangelical Catholic Church purchased 12 acres of land along Ritchie Highway at Cypress Creek Road from Elizabeth Tecl. An additional two acres was purchased at a later date. The first completed buildings were the Convent, the Rectory, and the School, which had 12 classrooms. Construction of the church started in 1963 and the building was dedicated on May 3, 1964. This was the first church in the Archdiocese to be built along contemporary lines. With slightly sloping floors, all pews face the altar which is located in the center, and no pew is farther than 15 rows from the pulpit.

Prior to the church in this area was a farm where Mr. and Mrs. Tecl, with their daughter “Lizzie,” tilled the land with horse and plow. They appeared quite unique; the women in skirts and large brimmed hats which were all black. When customers came to their farm Lizzie would take them out into the fields to pick fresh produce.

After the sale of the farm property to the church, Lizzie remained there and sold vegetables and flowers out of a 1953 Chevy truck at the end of the driveway on Ritchie Highway. This continued through the 1970’s.

Wolfe’s FarmDuring the 1930’s the land where Cypress Glen is located was a large chicken farm operated by the Wolfe family. It was reported that everyone for miles around would come here to buy eggs. Mr. Wolfe would also get a lot of enjoyment from showing the children how to “candle” the eggs.

Trinity Farms (K) - The land on the north side of Cypress Creek Road east of Ritchie Highway was farm. The State Highway Administration purchased the property for the proposed Arundel Expressway, which would have run parallel to Ritchie Highway. On this land was a private cemetery. In 1966 the remains were moved to another cemetery next to the Barranco and Sons Funeral Home.Because of the many wetlands in the neighboring Manhattan Beach community, and opposition by other residents affected, the project was abandoned; instead, I-97 was built to relieve traffic congestion on Ritchie Highway for travelers coming from Baltimore and headed to Annapolis or the Bay Bridge. The expressway site was then developed as single-family homes in subdivisions of Trinity Farms subdivision.

Dill Road (L) - Edward O. Dill owned the property from Cypress Creek Road south to what is now Woodloch Road. His brother, Erman W. Dill, owned the property from Woodloch Road to the end of the existing road. The Dill brothers wanted a better road to Erman’s house than the one that existed. They decided on the present location and donated their land to build “Dill Road,” a long and curved street that intersects with Cypress Creek Road.

Summer Aromas - In the late 1930’s, the Blankers owned a large piece of waterfront property on Dill Road. Every Friday, Mrs. Blanker would bake bread and rolls on a coal stove. As neighbors walked by the house, the aroma was a “mouth-watering” delight, and they would feel compelled to buy two or three loaves of bread and a pan of rolls.

Miss Chris, a retired circus performer, lived with the Blankers. During the summer she grew fields of gladiolas. The rows and rows of color were a sight to behold. On several days during the week, Miss Chris would wear a lovely organdy print dress with a big brimmed straw hat, and with her buckets of “glads” in a row boat, go up and down both creeks to sell her flowers.

Long-term family property ownership (N) - The property at 657 Creek Road was purchased by Mr. Victor Krause from the Severn Realty Company in 1907. By way of wills, the property has passed through the Krause family heirs. Today the 3rd generation, Mr. Edward Krause and his wife Catherine, live at this location.