7511 Main Street
Photograph of 7511 Main Street, taken by Gate House Staff, 2025.
John Berry Hotel
History
Around 1884, John M. Berry opened this Sykesville hotel, known as "The Hotel de Berry." The building served in that capacity through the 1920s. Since then, the building has served as apartments, seeing several waves of renovation.
See the photos below to learn more!
Architectural Details
Awaiting updates from the SHDC.
1910
Photograph of 7511 Main Street as "The Sykesville Hotel" in a 1910 business guide produced by the Democratic Advocate newspaper of Westminster.
1983
This photograph shows the right side of 7511 Main Street as seen in 1983 without its historic front porch.
1996
This photograph shows the Sykesville hotel as it appeared in 1996. Photo by R. Berry
2008
Photograph of 7511 Main Street taken by the Sykesville Historic District Commission.
2008
Photograph of additional apartments to the rear of the main structure seen in this 2008 photograph by the Sykesville Historic District Commission
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Site Use
Research is ongoing to confirm the historical use of this property. If you see any errors or have additional information, please contact the Museum through the methods at the bottom of the page
Confirmed Use as of November 2, 2025:
c. 1884: Hotel was under construction in 1883, but had opened by October 24, 1885. (Democratic Advocate, 18 August, 1883; 24 October 1885 clippings); in 1886, the proprietor of the hotel is J.M. Sullivan (Democratic Advocate, 31 July, 1886 clipping)
1905: The Sykesville Hotel is owned by Elmer Jenkins (see: 7509 Main Street), operated by Henry Hunning and after 1906 to John H. Weetencamp and includes a restaurant and bar, at the time referred to as "the old Berry Hotel property" (Democratic Advocate, 5 October 1916, p. 2)
c. 1908-1910: John Weetenkamp (seen in the article cited as "Weetenhamp") owns the "Old Berry Hotel" (Democratic Advocate, 17 April 1908, p. 9), serving German foods and still hosting a bar. At that time, a wide balcony reached out along the second floor ("Sykesville Past and Present," Healan Barrow, 1987).
1911: The property, under the ownership of John Weetenkamp, is sold at Sheriff's auction (Democratic Advocate, 15 March 1912, p.4)
1912-1913: Walter Ritter Hotel (see below)
1921: R.W. Carter buys the former Walter Ritter Hotel (later referred to as the "Old Ritter Hotel") (Sykesville Herald, 25 August 1921)
1929: R.W. Carter (owner of the building at this time) renovated the building including a new porch , new floor, shelves and countering for a lunch room, which had recently before this been occupied by the Brightwell Meat Market. (Sykesville Herald-Messenger, 15 January 1925)
1929: the property is sold as a hotel at Attorney's Sale (Sykesville Herald-Messenger, 27 June 1929)
1978: building listed for sale as a "4-6 bedroom apartment building with repair shop" (Carroll County Times, 15 Dec 1978, p. 19)
1983: Property sold for $52,000 (Carroll County Times, 15 December 1983, p. A3)
2005: The property is owned by Fred and Elaine Gossage of the State Farm Agency
Present (2025): site still used by The Royal Electric Company