7526 Main Street
Photograph of 7526 Main Street, taken by Gate House Staff, 2025.
Clarence Brown House
History
The log-construction of this building, which may date as early as the late 1850s might have been the residence of, but was definitely on the property of Dr. William Baer, an early meteorologist who called this area "Shellman Hall" through the time of the Civil War.
Clarence Brown, for whom the house is named in the Historic District Commission, moved to this house in 1886 (Democratic Advocate, 12 June 1886, p3), "So as to be nearer to the spout [of Spout Hill]."
Having been trained in Freedom, near Sykesville, at the harness manufactory of John Deckabaugh, In 1881, a young Clarence E. Brown originally opened a harness repair and construction store in the Sam's Creek area, (Democratic Advocate, 5 March, 1881, p. 3; ). By 1883, Brown lived in Sykesville, marrying Katie Barry of Sykesville the following year around the same time as he opened a harness business in the McDonald Brothers warehouse on lower Main Street (Democratic Advocate 6 October 1883, p. 3; 27 September 1884, p.3; 13 December 1884, p.3). Brown's business grew over the next several years, as he also extended into barbering in his own shop, and butchering with C.T. Forsyth & Co. (Democratic Advocate, 27 February 1886, p. 3). In 1886, Brown was appointed constable after the resignation of Joshua Lee, but resigned himself the following year as well as giving up his other occupations (Democratic Advocate, 2 October 1866, p. 3; 14 May 1887, p.3). Brown and his wife sold a property on Main Street in 1911, including the harness shop (Democratic Advocate, 14 April 1911, p. 4), but In 1920 advertised moving their lunch counter (opened 1919) to the front of their "uptown" store (Democratic Advocate, 19 August 1921, p.1).
Several additions and changes to the building, which ultimately doubled the size of the structure, have drastically changed the appearance of the building over time. The extant colonial-revival windows were moved here from the Arcade Building in the 1970s. The exterior walls, which were heavily renovated to reveal the original log structure in 1999, have changed in outward appearance many times.
See the photos below to learn more!
Architectural Details
The windows of this structure are not original, having been moved here from the Arcade building's (also not original) facade in the 1970s.
The log structure at left of this address is the oldest part, dating possibly as early as the 1850s. The log chink mixture is of sand, lime, and flat stones and was restored in 1999.
The right side of this structure was covered with new cedar shakes in 1999.
The basement of this structure is five feet high and the joists of the floor are logs with only one side squared.
Awaiting updates from the SHDC.
1862 Map
This clipping from a Civil War era map shows the property of Dr. William Baer at this address. (Simon J. Martenet, Map of Carroll County, 1862, Library of Congress, MSA SC 1213-1-119)
1911 Sanborn Fire Map
This image shows 7526 Main Street's footprint in 1911, which remained structurally unchanged through at least 1924.
1983
This photograph shows the structure at 7526 Main Street as it appeared in 1983.
Asa Hepner, 1910
This image of Asa Hepner from the 1910 supplement to the Democratic Advocate, illustrated an article about his various business ventures at the turn of the century. Asa Hepner was briefly appointed as Mayor by the Town Council and served from 1916-1917.
1996
This photograph shows 7526 Main Street in 1996. Photograph by R. Berry.
1999
This clipped image from an aerial photograph shows this address and its various additions as seen in 1999.
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 31, 2025:
c.1857-1864: This property is owned by Dr. William Baer as a parcel known as "Shellman Hall." (Simon J. Martenet, Map of Carroll County, 1862, Library of Congress, MSA SC 1213-1-119)
c. 1880: a North addition doubles the size of the house. ("Sykesville Past and Present," Linda Greenberg, 2012)
1888: Postmaster Asa Hepner purchases this building.
c. 1910: an addition is placed on the back of the house. (1911 Sanborn Map [see above], "Sykesville Past and Present," Linda Greenberg, 2012)
1911: Clarence Brown and his wife sell their property on main street, which at the time had many outbuildings and additions (Democratic Advocate, 14 April 1911, p. 4)
1924: The Sanborn Fire Map shows no changes to this residence since the 1911 Sanborn Fire Map (see above).
c. 1983: Jazzbo's Dog Grooming (see above)
1983-c. 2012: Building in use as Jazzbo's Grooming (left) and RHB Ceramics (right)
1985: Building was under renovation and had a porch and bay window removed. The bricks of the inside fireplace were moved to the facing outside. ("Sykesville Past and Present," Helan Barrow, 1985, p. 39)
1999: Richard Bagley restores the chinking of the log side of the building and installs new shakes on the newer right side of the building ("Sykesville Past and Present," Linda Greenberg, 2012)
2005: Property listed in SDAT Real Property for $425,000 as an incomplete entry.
Present (2025): Branches of Yoga and Dreamhaus Hair