7512 Main Street
Photograph of 7512 Main Street, taken by Gate House Staff, 2025.
Carter Factory Building
History
The R.W. Carter factory building served as a carriage and later car dealership at the turn of the century. Like 7532 Main Street (a physically similar structure), this building had a pulley system to raise vehicles and other goods to the second floor. The shadow of the doors to this second floor storage can still be seen from the back of the building.
As the Town of Sykesville grew, this space in this building was used periodically to house middle school-aged students before the renovation of Sykesville School (today's Sykesville Middle School). A variety of other businesses leased the large indoor spaces over time.
See the photos below to learn more!
Architectural Details
Awaiting updates from the SHDC.
1983
Photograph of 7512 Main Street in 1983
1996
Photograph by R. Berry
2025
Photograph of 7512 Main Street taken by Gate House Staff October, 2025.
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 October 21, 2025:
c. 1905: R. W. Carter sells carriages and furniture from this address. He had begun in Sykesville c. 1900, and operated his own business beginning around 1905 (Supplement to the Democratic Advocate Newspaper, Oct 21, 1910, p. 31)
1918: Manufacturers, Paul&Berney plan to open at sewing factory on the upper floor of this location for the manufacture of ladies garments. (Sykesville Herald, 18 July 1918)
1922: The building is leased buy the Sykesville Motor Company (7532 Main Street) for use as a showroom selling Hudson and Essex cars; at this time, R.W. Carter closes out his stock (Sykesville Herald 26 October 1922)
1922: Walter Smith operates a Tin Shop in this building for roofing, spouting, and repairs of tinware (Sykesville Herald 27 April, 1922)
1923: Holman's Lunch Room operates on the second floor of this building (The Sykesville Herald-Messenger, 1 February 1923)
1923-1925: Selmeri & Pucci (also seen spelled as "Salameri") a tailoring business also known as "The Sykesville Tailors" , operates business from this building (The Sykesville Herald-Messenger 7 June, 1923; 15 Jan. 1925)
1979: Location is used partially as a residence (Carroll County Times, 11 April 1979, p. 3); later that year, this address is cited as the residence of Imogene Trent (Carroll County Times, 16 Nov. 1979 p. 6)
1982: Pre-finished railing are being sold from this address (Carroll County Times, 19 June 1982, p. 28)
1983: Property listed for sale as a combination residence and packaged goods/deli store. (Carroll County Times, 13 May 1983, p. 24)
1984: Owner Peter J. Fournier requests a hearing to change the zoning designation of the building for use as a woodworking and sheet metal shop. (Carroll County Times, 30 April 1984, p. 18)
1985: Property sells for $45,000 (Carroll County Times, 22 July 1985 p. 4)
1989-2025: Advertisement for "Royal Electric Inc." at this address (Carroll County Times, 24 December 1989, p. 42) later changes name to "The Royal Electric Company" who submits a proposal for facade renovation (Town of Sykesville, 6/14/1999)
Present (2025): site still used by The Royal Electric Company