George Wagner, our ‘casual historian of Havre de Grace,’ shares the history of the McCombs Post Office Building at 401 N. Union (corner of Franklin St. & Union Ave) as the beginning of his empire. Yes, that’s a chuckle you hear.
A great deal of research has gone into the sharing of the history of this building – 118 years of history. Enjoy the video. This is part 1 and the longest video – the main building of the Post Office. Part 2 we’ll share the addition to the north end of the building with entries facing Union Ave. Part 3 will be the small building to the east of the Old Post Office, facing Franklin St, where George began his empire.
The Old Post Office building is located at Franklin St and Union Ave. (467 Franklin St). Havre de Grace has had a post office since August 1789. Before this building, it was located across Franklin St in what you will see as the Bowman Building. But at the time it was a post office, and McCombs owned the building.
For the history of the Post Office in Havre de Grace, visit EPS 10 on this site.
1885-1904 – this corner lot was a Livery Stable
1906 – Aug 31 – Abraham McCombs bought the lot
1907 – June 1 – the Post Office opened
2nd Floor had Chesapeake & Potomac (C&P) Telephone Company. You can learn more in EPS 52 – where we learn about Frances Zellman being a switchboard operator there. We also know that Jimmy Vancherie’s mother worked there as a switchboard operator.
3rd Floor housed the Havreian Aerie Number 1596 Eagles Lodge
1908 – postcard
1909 Addition – small bldg on the East Side (Franklin St) of the main Post Office
1927 – larger addition on the north end of the Post Office, N. Union Ave side.
C. & P. Company ads
1927 News article for William McCombs, son of Abraham, to be able to continue the Post Office location there (until it moves to Union Ave) upon completion of an addition to add space for larger postal needs.
Letter to Editor: Re: Trash Junk Mail littering the area on Franklin St.
Beam: McCombs&Brown
1927-1936 Old Post Office converted into offices: 5 on the west side and 7 on the east side with a hallway down the middle.
1936 Post Office moves to 208 N. Union (now Susquehanna OB/GYN and Nurse Midwifery)
1936-1947 – Olan Mills Photo Studio
1947 – Dean Pershing Studio
Apartments added that included tenants such as Rosemear and the Silversteins (owners of Joseph’s Mercantile/Dept Store)
Chiropodist Office
1972 – Fire gutted the building, and the 3rd floor was lost.
Building was boarded up.
1979 – Stamp, Inc. – James Murray, John Shaeffer, and Paul Trout – bought the building to rebuild it. Mr. Trout bought out his partners and finished the building himself.
1979 note in the basement – Mr Trout
1985 note in the basement – Mr. Trout
2004 note in the basement – George Wagner (our casual historian)
Businesses in the Building since 1980s:
Bayside Video
Creations Hair Salon – Angie Davis
2004 – George buys the building – pictured here with Paul Trout
Bahoukas Collectibles
Painted Ladies – Genevieve, Kim & Kim
GreenJoy and JoRetro – Barbara Wagner and Jolene
All JoRetro
Ion Massage (Eric Sumwalt) and Moon & Sea Creations – Lisa Gravely
Aqua Vida Medical Spa and Wellness Center with Krystal
Be sure to stop by BAHOUKAS ANTIQUE MALL and browse the walls and showcases of local collections in our Havre de Grace History MuZeum. Open 7 days a week. We’re here and we’re watchin’ for ya!
