7532 Main Street
Photograph of 7532 Main Street, taken by Gate House Staff, 2025.
Barnes Confectionary
History
What is today an apartment building was originally a variety of stores. The earliest record of business at this address is the 1911 Sanborn Fire Map of the Town of Sykesville which shows a Furniture store and a tin shop sharing this address. Probably not long after that, an Oldsmobile and Chevrolet dealership and repair shop operated here through 1922. At its time of use, a platform raised cars through the building to the second floor repair shop.
The site's official title under the Sykesville Historic District refers to the Barnes Confectionary, owned by R. Kenneth Barnes which has begun next door to this building. Barnes also ran a jewelry business and soda fountain within this space, and a dance hall which ran through the 1940s.
See the photos below to learn more!
Architectural Details
An apartment on the first floor of this building was destroyed in January of 1980, but the rest of the building was saved. (The Evening Sun, Hanover, PA, 21 Jan 1980, p. 30)
Awaiting updates from the SHDC.
1983
This image shows 7532 Main Street in use as apartments in 1983.
1996
This photograph shows the apartment building at 7532 Main Street in 1996. Photograph by R. Berry.
2025
Photograph of the apartments at 7532 Main Street (photo by Gate House staff, 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 3, 2025:
1911: The Sanborn Fire Map of Sykesville for this date shows a Furniture store at this address with a tin shop in the basement.
after 1911-1922: Sykesville Motor and Supply Company operates a Chevrolet and Oldsmobile dealership from this address before moving to 7512 Main Street. (Sykesville Herald, 1922)
c.1922-c. 1940s: Barnes Confectionary operates alongside his jewelry clock and watch business at this address. (Gate House Museum collection Barnes Confectionary and Jewelry artifacts). Barnes lived in the apartment in the upper floor of the building in the early years of his business. The 1924 Sanborn map also shows a shop at this address.
1980: Sometime prior to this date, this building is divided into four apartments (The Evening Sun, Hanover, PA, 21 Jan 1980, p. 30)
1984: The building is placed for sale by the office of Housing and Urban Development for $41,990 cash, as-is. (The Baltimore Sun, 29 January 1984, p. 99)
1987: The building is investigated by Carroll County for simultaneously operating the same four apartments under the names and ownerships of Allview Apartments (owner: Robert Campbell) and Candeloro Apartments (owner: James Candeloro) (Carroll County Times, 20 March 1987, p. 4)
1992: The new-to-Sykesville business, Alexandra's Attic opens at this address (Carroll County Times, 27 November 1992, p. 33)