7566 Main Street
In this turn-of-the-century image of Main Street, the Arcade building--7566 Main Street appears at the center with the large, rectangular opening framed by seven window openings.
History
7566 is usually referred to as the "Arcade Building." Arcade-style buildings are characterized by a large opening but enclosed roof through the center of the building which covers the entrances to shops along the interior. Originally, in this building, this opening ran completely through the structure to where the McElroy lot is today, and featured a glass skylight. This structure was built by J.H. Fowble for Wade H. D. Warfield in 1907.
The structure housed businesses at any given time, which often shared each space with another enterprise within the walls of each individual shop. We have done our best to categorize these in the business list below.
Two notable occupants of this building were the Lyceum theater and the Sykesville Herald newspaper's printing offices. The Lyceum theater, Sykesville's movie theater for decades, was located in the top floor of this building. Meanwhile, the Herald printing offices first opened as a new paper here in 1913, and moved in 1964 to Springfield Avenue.
See the photos below to learn more!
Architectural Details
In its history, the Arcade building has had five different facades and two different color schemes. From its construction until the late 1940s, the Arcade building's appearance from Main Street looked the same as when it was built. This structure is a typical business arcade popular at the turn of the century. Roman brick (matching the brick used at 7564 Main Street) marks the facade, with plainer brick on the non-facing sides. The painted green cornice and decorative bricks at the top of the building create visual interest. In 2012, the pyramid-shaped skylight at the center of the roof was obscured by the modern roofline, but still reported as present in the building. The glass of the arcade as well as the front windows have been replaced at least once: a gas explosion from Wade H.D. Warfield's industries behind the building caused an explosion through the building on April 11, 1914 (reported the the Sykesville Herald April 16, 1914).
According to Healan Barrow, the center bay of this building was enclosed sometime between 1946 and 1964. (Sykesville Past and Present, Barrow)
Additional architectural details may be available through the Sykesville Historic District commission.
Undated c. 1900
This undated photograph shows the arcade building at center.
Nov. 25, 1913
This clipping from the Sykesville Herald newspaper shows the Woodbine Band marching past the Arcade building as part of "Old Home Week" in town. (Sykesville Herald, November 27, 1913).
1914
This image shows Nora Richardson, and daughter, Hazel, as well as Elizabeth Van Horn at the front of Richardson's Store at the Arcade building. The entrance to the interior of the arcade shop fronts is partially visible at right.
c. 1914-1915
Another view of Richarson's Store showing the opposite side of the inner walkway of the Arcade July 1914 or 1915.
1983
One of the many versions of the front of this building., which at the time was referred to as "The Odyssey Building."
2025
This photo by Gate House Staff reflects the current appearance of the Arcade building as of April 2025.
c. 1920
This view taken from the back of Main Street shows the open structure of the arcade..
1911 Sanborn Fire Map
This map shows the original locations of several businesses within the arcade including the Post office, music store, clothier ("Clo"), bakery ("B"), and shop ("s").
1924 Sanborn Fire Map
This clipping from the 1924 fire map of Sykesville shows a few of the businesses within the arcade, including the Herald Printing office and other unnamed stores ("S").
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 May 10, 2025:
1907: The Wade H.D. Warfield leases individual shops in the arcade to persons such as dentist, Dr. J. Fred Waesche (through c. 1920s),
1911: The Sanborn Fire Map of Sykesville (seen above) lists a post office, music store, clothier, bakery, and general "shop" at this address.
c. 1913-???: The Arcade Moving Picture Parlor (referred to as both this name and "The Lyceum Theater", and only as 'The Lyceum" after WWI) operates in the third floor right-hand side of the arcade building into the bank building which also hosted local and visiting theatrical groups, and as a meeting space for social functions.
1913-1964: The Sykesville Herald Newspaper operates in this space under David Dean, Albert Hall, and William Church, later relocating to Springfield Avenue.
1914: Richardson's Grocery occupies the main floor, left side (see above photograph) as well as an unknown business on the right side
1915-1922: Hood Bus Line picks up passengers and freight from this building (Sykesville Herald, Jan 28, 1915; April 27, 1922)
1917: A straw hat factory under the direction of William Chipley opens on the Main Floor of the Arcade under the Herald Office (Sykesville Herald, Sept 6, 1917)
1920: Wade H.D. Warfield and wife convey the property to the Sykesville National Bank (March 2, 1920 Land Records of Carroll County in Liber No. 135, Folio 395)
1924: The Sanborn Fire Map (see above) shows shops on the first and third floor of the building, and the Herald Printing offices on the second floor.
1927: Clarence R. Clarke purchases the building from Warfield and runs his Prudential Life Insurance business in the Southwest corner of the building, as well as Fireside Gift Shop in the front left side of the building ("Sykesville Past and Present A Walking Tour," Greenberg, 2012)
c. 1938-1948: The Home Furniture Company is on the right side of this building, later relocating the Springfield Avenue. ("Sykesville Past and Present A Walking Tour," Greenberg, 2012)
1947: Mabel A. C. Necker and husband purchase the Arcade building from Clarke. (Deed dated June 14, 1947 and recorded among the Land Records of Carroll County in Liber No 195, Folio 10)
1954-1955: Wilbur Wimmer's plumbing business is run from this location. (Town of Sykesville Business License Records)
1965-c.1966: Arcade Restaurant operates at this location under Eugene P. Tomlinson (Town of Sykesville Business License Records)
1968: Harry Sandosky and Gus Biding buy and modernize the Arcade Building. ("Sykesville Past and Present A Walking Tour," Greenberg, 2012)
1969: C&M Discount bakery operates here under Mary Ellis Stonesifer (Town of Sykesville Business License Records)
1973: Recorded as belonging to John Cotton et. al. (March 1, 1973 and recorded among the Land Records of Carroll County in Liber C.C.C. No. 535, Folio 65)
1977-1978: Ronan Loan Corp.; located on the "second floor of Maryland National Bank" (Carroll County Times, March 2, 1977, p. A2; Carroll County Times, March 24, 1978, p. 13)
1978-1979: Astro Travel Unlimited Inc. (Carroll County Times, Aug. 4, 1978 p. 12; Carroll County Times, May 30, 1979, p. A1)
1979-1980: The Village Gallery, selling art, photography services, and framing (Carroll County Times, Oct. 26, 1979, p. B2; Carroll County Times, Feb. 4, 1980, p. B2)
1980: Larry Douglas Berent law offices (Carroll County Times, March 20, 1980, p. A9; article with photo about the start of practice Carroll County Times, May 14, 1980, p. B14)
1980: Central Maryland Sports Inc, sporting equipment ("Grand Opening [Advertisement]"Carroll County Times, August 8, 1989, p. C4; Carroll County Times, Dec. 4, 1980, p.A5.)
1981 -c.1987: National Film and Video Center Inc., buys the building from Sandosky and Biding, ultimately going bankrupt and losing the building in foreclosure at public auction April 7, 1987. ("Sykesville Past and Present A Walking Tour," Greenberg, 2012; Advertisement for Clerk, Carroll County Times, March 10, 1982, p. B4; "Trustee Sale," Carroll County Times, April 7, 1987, p. B11 )
1983: The building is known as "The Odyssey Building" and housed Ulysses Electronic Cosmos videos, computers, audio and "home robots." (photo above)
1987-1999: Bruce and Linda Greenberg purchase the building at auction for use as the Greenberg Publishing Company. The company was purchased in 1991 by, Kalmbach Publishing of Waukesha, Wisconsin, but continued in business at this site until 1999. ("Trustee Sale," Carroll County Times, April 7, 1987, p. B11; "Sykesville Past and Present A Walking Tour," Greenberg, 2012)
1991-2004: Primerica Financial Services operates in suite 2 (Carroll County Times, March 19, 1991, p. A7)
1994: Agans White Group Inc., construction, suite 306 ("Business Licenses," Carroll County Times, July 3, 1994, p. C4)
1999: Firearm Sports, Jeffrey Poage, Suite 208 ("New Business Permits," Carroll County Times, Feb. 7, 1999, p. B5)
2004: Businesses at this site include A Likely Story bookstore, Carteret Mortgage Corporation, and Primerica Financial Services (2004 Centennial on the Tracks Walking Map)
2012: The occupants included A Likely Story Bookstore, Superior Stucco, Primerica (a mutual fund and insurance company)
c. 2016: Hammond Law, suite 101 at this address (Carroll County Times advertisement for Tiffany M. Vaira, listed specifically in Carroll County Times as affiliated with Hammond Law in this year in multiple records, including March 8, 2016)
2019: Building is sold by 32-year owners, Linda and Greenberg on April 1, 2019 ("2 historic Sykesville buildings sold by couple that owned them for years." Carroll County Times, May 12, 2019, p. A1) at the same time as the firehouse down the street.
2025 (present): Park Books on Main, Hammond Law, LLC, Primerica, Ridge to Reefs, Cardinal, Corner House Realty (Murrow & McCullough Team), Freestate Title Consultants, State Farm agent Danny Larimore