7539 Norwood Avenue
Photograph of 7539 Norwood Avenue, taken by Gate House Staff in October of 2025.
History
Today, this property is a private home, however, this building has served many roles at the turn of the century. Most notably, from 1905 until about 1924 this building was the site of the original fire department of the Town of Sykesville.
After the Great Baltimore Fire (February 7-8, 1904), the first chemical fire engine was purchased and housed in the right side of this building. The doors to this garage feature are still visible in the structure.
Wade H.D. Warfield served as president, and W. W. Ritter as the manager of the fire department. In May of 1905, the Democratic Advocate Newspaper of Baltimore announced that the department held a combination, chemical, engine and hook and ladder truck with a pump and hose attachment built by the Whitelock company of Baltimore. A substantial parade welcomed the arrival of this equipment. By 1924, the fire department had moved to the building at 7610 Main Street, which was subsequently refitted prior to the arrival of a modern fire engine in 1933.
See the photos below to learn more!
Architectural Details
This structure is distinctly built as three sections.
Major renovations include a 1930 change by The Maryland Milling & Supply Company for use as a garage and stable for the trucks and the horses." (Sykesville Herald, 6 March 1930). Their axillary buildings were throughout the present-day McElroy parking lot space immediately adjacent to the back of this structure.
Awaiting updates from SHDC.
2025
Photo by Gate House Museum staff taken from Norwood Avenue street-level of the section of this house which housed the original 1904 fire engine mechanism (not a truck-style) for the Town.
1985
7539 is seen here from the McElroy Parking Lot facting Norwood Avenue the Gate House collection.
1985
The garage feature that housed the original fire engine is seen here in 1985.
1911 Sanborn Fire Map
This fire map excerpt shows the original structure as a fire house and jail.
1924 Sanborn Fire Map
This fire map excerpt shows the building in use as a home ("D.") with storage use on the back ("A.")
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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 4, 2025:
c. 1870s: Portions of the oldest part of this house may have served as a blacksmith's shop ("Sykesville Past and Present," Linda Greenberg, 2012, p. 55)
1905-c.1924: This building served as the engine house for the original Sykesville Fire Department, as well as serving at least through 1911 as the "lock up" (jail) (Sanborn Fire Map, Sykesville, Maryland, 1911). References to Sykesville's jail run at least through 1914 (Democratic Advocate, Westminster, 16 October 1914, p.5)
1924: Building is in use as a home (Sanborn Fire Map, Sykesville, Maryland, 1924)
1930: The Maryland Milling & Supply Company purchase from the Sykesville Realty and Investment Company "The old fire engine house and town lock-up. It is being remodeled into a garage and stable for the trucks and the horses." (Sykesville Herald, 6 March 1930)
Present: Private residence