706 Church Street

History

The three original homes on Church Street (702 and 704 are still standing) were built by Sykesville Mayor and businessman, George Schrade.

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By the 1980s, Church Street--like much of Sykesville was in need of rejuvenation. A 1982 tax increase, as well as funding from the federal government to help "slum" properties helped change the direction of Church Street's deterioration specifically (Carroll County Times, 12 May 1982, p. 1; 12 July 1983, p.3). ​​​​​​

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George Schrade

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George Schrade (1860-1931) was a first-generation American descendant of German parents.  Schrade moved from Clear Springs, Pennsylvania to Sykesville prior to 1886 as a trained blacksmith, and originally worked for L.P. Shultz & Co.  in Sykesville, eventually purchasing the company (Democratic Advocate, Westminster, Maryland, 16 January 1886, p. 3; 20 February 1886, p.3).

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Schrade owned many plots of land throughout the Sykesville area over his lifetime, including the three residential plots on Church Street adjacent to St. Paul's church, and at various times others on Main Street and Springfield Avenue.  These 

holdings are probably what led him to help begin and serve as a director of the Sykesville Perpetual Building Association from at least 1895 through its 1907 transition of charter into the "Sykesville Building Association" (Democratic Advocate, Westminster, Maryland, 5 January 1895, p.2; 23 August 1907, p.3), stated at his death as a term of about 25 years ("Succumbs To Heart Attack." Sykesville Herald, Sykesville, Maryland, 7 July 1931, p. 1) . 

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Schrade also served as a director of the newly-established First National Bank of Sykesville (in operation 1907-1913), and served several terms on Town council, including serving a term as Sykesville Mayor from 1917-1918 (at the time, the role of Mayor was a one-year appointment) in the middle of his council service of 1907-1921 (Democratic Advocate, Westminster, MD, 1 March 1907, p. 3; 1 May 1914, p.5;  11 May 1917, p.8, 13 May 1921, p.6).

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​In his personal life, Schrade, along with his wife, Flora Elizabeth Berry often hosted local social events, and participated actively in community events and at their church, St. Paul's United Methodist Church. Schrade was a member of the fraternal Heptasoph Order of Sykesville, and the Odd Fellows. He engaged in and judged numerous poultry competitions throughout central Maryland, and was active in the Maryland Agricultural College. (Democratic Advocate, Westminster, 16 January 18897, p.3; 24 March 1906, p.3). According to census records, they lived in various places during their tenure in Sykesville including Church Avenue (1910) and Springfield Avenue (1930). 

 

Schrade died in 1931 at his home on Springfield Avenue, after which time his wife moved in with their daughter's family in Baltimore. They are both buried in Sykesville at Springfield Cemetery ("Succumbs To Heart Attack." Sykesville Herald, Sykesville, Maryland, 7 July 1931, p. 1)  

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​​​​​​​​See the photos below to learn more!

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Architectural Details​​

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Original

Awaiting details from SHDC!