You mentioned it looking like Colonial Williamsburg. The shopping center used to regularly put out a newsletter for the surrounding residents about upcoming events. The newsletter was called "Ye Edmondson Village Crier" with a drawing of a colonial town crier on the front page. They always referred to the Village as "Ye Village". We lived within walking distance of Edmondson Village from 1955 to 1979. Whenever a Disney, Jerry Lewis, or some other comedy movie would be playing at the theater, kids would be lined up down the block on Saturday afternoons waiting for the box office to open. And it was just kids! Parents didn't have to worry about letting their kids go to the Village theater alone back then. When we first moved near the Village in 1955, the bowling alley still employed pin boys to clear the dead wood and reset the pins. When you finished bowling you tossed a coin down the bowling lane as a tip for the pin boy. In the Spring, the Village had their annual fair with rides, game booths, and other entertainment. My mother did her main grocery shopping at Food Fair and I'd usually get my haircut at Hess on a Saturday while she was there to grocery shop. There was also a community center that sponsored events like sock hops back in the '50s. My older teen sisters went to a couple of those hops with boys in their class at Gwynns Falls Park Junior High. Lots of memories about "Ye Village"...
Thanks for this, lots of memories from Edmondson Village. My first haircut, all my shoes were from Hess, the movies and bowling, and the Pratt Library. But maybe my favorite highlight was at Christmastime when the trees along the road were all lit and the beautiful village backdrop made the scene worthy of a greeting card.
I remember Hess had a drinking fountain for dogs outside near the monkey window. A sign called it the "Hess Dog Bar". I hated getting my hair cut but watching the monkeys kept my mind occupied while getting clipped.
Yes, I remember the monkeys as a child. Later on as a teen, I watched an Audrey Hepburn Double Feature at the movie theater: Sabrina and Breakfast at Tiffany's. I did not learn to drive till I was 26 but my driving teacher taught me how to parallel park at the West Side Skill Center parking lot.
We came from Frederick many times a year to shop in that area. The best time was the Christmas window demonstration’s they were just magnificent. As you said times have changed and I miss it.
Speaking of Edmondson Ave., can you do a video of "the Arundel"? My mother worked there before working at the SSA in Woodlawn. This was back in the early 1960s. Thank you as always!
Good question! Not sure if it was the "first strip mall," but it was one of the first shopping centers in the United States. It is also closely associated with the nationwide rise in automobile-oriented shopping centers in the post-World War II period.
@@baltimoreheritage1006 Ehhhh… not really. The first strip malls date back to the 1920s, but the 1930s is when they started to flourish. One of the earliest from that decade, called Park & Shop, is in DC and still exists today (there’s a wiki article about it). Of course this was followed by the postwar boom, but postwar is far from the first.
Where the Popeye's is at used to be a thrift store in the 70s. Where the Hecht's was located another department store had taken over and I think it closed in the late 70s. I felt safer back then compared to now.
I was saying my mom remembered the monkeys, but I think she worked at Hess! I know she worked at a shoe store but it could have been Florsheim. As it was, she always spoke of this place so fondly, loving the Santa in the Hochschilds and walking with her pals up to it. It was her neighborhood center.
Edmondson Village straddled Edmondson Avenue with the main part on the north side and The Hecht Co. and Hot Shoppes restaurant on the south side. Not sure where the name "Edmondson" originated, whether from a historical person or place.
The Word/Name Edmondson originates from Dr.Thomas Edmondson who tho was a doctor,came from such a wealthy family that he never practiced. After his death,his heirs sold off part of his estate which became Harlem Park in West Baltimore in the early 1870 s. There is a good chance Edmondson avenue is also named after him and that also pre dates this early shopping centre.
I loved hearing Lashelle sharing her memories! She got me thinking back to my experiences growing up in Hamilton.
She is wonderful!
Wow! I love these information about Baltimore's history.
In the 1950’s the Christmas decorations at Edmondson Village were a breath-taking sight to behold
👍👍👍😎😎😎😎
Awesome job Miss Lady, your commentary bought flavor to the channel !!!!
Thank you glad you Njoyed !!
You mentioned it looking like Colonial Williamsburg. The shopping center used to regularly put out a newsletter for the surrounding residents about upcoming events. The newsletter was called "Ye Edmondson Village Crier" with a drawing of a colonial town crier on the front page. They always referred to the Village as "Ye Village". We lived within walking distance of Edmondson Village from 1955 to 1979. Whenever a Disney, Jerry Lewis, or some other comedy movie would be playing at the theater, kids would be lined up down the block on Saturday afternoons waiting for the box office to open. And it was just kids! Parents didn't have to worry about letting their kids go to the Village theater alone back then. When we first moved near the Village in 1955, the bowling alley still employed pin boys to clear the dead wood and reset the pins. When you finished bowling you tossed a coin down the bowling lane as a tip for the pin boy. In the Spring, the Village had their annual fair with rides, game booths, and other entertainment. My mother did her main grocery shopping at Food Fair and I'd usually get my haircut at Hess on a Saturday while she was there to grocery shop. There was also a community center that sponsored events like sock hops back in the '50s. My older teen sisters went to a couple of those hops with boys in their class at Gwynns Falls Park Junior High. Lots of memories about "Ye Village"...
Great newsletter name!
Thanks for this, lots of memories from Edmondson Village. My first haircut, all my shoes were from Hess, the movies and bowling, and the Pratt Library. But maybe my favorite highlight was at Christmastime when the trees along the road were all lit and the beautiful village backdrop made the scene worthy of a greeting card.
I remember Hess had a drinking fountain for dogs outside near the monkey window. A sign called it the "Hess Dog Bar". I hated getting my hair cut but watching the monkeys kept my mind occupied while getting clipped.
Westview was my childhood place:)
Yes, I remember the monkeys as a child. Later on as a teen, I watched an Audrey Hepburn Double Feature at the movie theater: Sabrina and Breakfast at Tiffany's. I did not learn to drive till I was 26 but my driving teacher taught me how to parallel park at the West Side Skill Center parking lot.
Lots of memories!
My mother remembered the monkeys too, and I think her best friend did too!
K. Katz & Sons was a menswear and shoe store - high end. My father was the manager and I spent a lot of time in Edmondson Village and the library.
Thanx, for that !!
We came from Frederick many times a year to shop in that area. The best time was the Christmas window demonstration’s they were just magnificent. As you said times have changed and I miss it.
Too bad you can’t still come to Edmondson Village to Shop, because you would get robbed.😂
Ah, Anderson Olds. It was still there when my grandparents still lived at Edmondson Ave junction.
Excellent video. Thanks to both of you for this
Thank you, glad you liked.. Lashelle
@@niadorian1 I was born in Baltimore City and our first rental flat was in Uplands. Great memories.
Speaking of Edmondson Ave., can you do a video of "the Arundel"? My mother worked there before working at the SSA in Woodlawn. This was back in the early 1960s. Thank you as always!
We'll add it to our list!
Will look into it .. Thanx
Enjoyed this Five Minute History - Are there plans to redevelop? The Purple Line was supposed to have an Edmondson village stop. I hope so.
We are not sure where redevelopment stands :/
I remember being told about Catherine Cesnik & the story of her there.
Oh wow that is a powerful memory.
I used to work at the Giant near Edmondson, used to eat at Kimmy's Soul Food and Popeye's.
Johns, how about a show on the Towson Plaza Shopping Center?
We'll add it to our list!
Any photos of the original mansion?
Great question--we looked and looked and couldn't find any. Would love it if someone else had any photos!
You must have taped this clip on a Sunday morning before the thugs woke up
Is the narrator related to the JHU family?
Distantly!
I have heard that this was was the first strip mall in the US. Is this true?
Good question! Not sure if it was the "first strip mall," but it was one of the first shopping centers in the United States. It is also closely
associated with the nationwide rise in automobile-oriented shopping centers in the post-World War II period.
@@baltimoreheritage1006 Ehhhh… not really. The first strip malls date back to the 1920s, but the 1930s is when they started to flourish. One of the earliest from that decade, called Park & Shop, is in DC and still exists today (there’s a wiki article about it). Of course this was followed by the postwar boom, but postwar is far from the first.
My mother always said that, it being her beloved neighborhood shopping center. In fact that paper announcement shown, was the exact day she turned 10.
Where the Popeye's is at used to be a thrift store in the 70s. Where the Hecht's was located another department store had taken over and I think it closed in the late 70s. I felt safer back then compared to now.
I do remember the monkeys, sometimes that was the only reason our family drove there so I could see the monkeys
They are memorable!
I bet you he won’t come here today because the hoodlums will rob you.😂
The Hess shoe store had one of those machines that X-rayed your feet
On what street is the ghost sign
it wasnt the _buildings_
I was saying my mom remembered the monkeys, but I think she worked at Hess! I know she worked at a shoe store but it could have been Florsheim. As it was, she always spoke of this place so fondly, loving the Santa in the Hochschilds and walking with her pals up to it. It was her neighborhood center.
There was Hochschilds and Stewart’s
@@michaelashley2855 She said it was Hochschild's that had the Santa they loved.
What's up with the Name . . . . Edmondson?
Edmondson Village straddled Edmondson Avenue with the main part on the north side and The Hecht Co. and Hot Shoppes restaurant on the south side. Not sure where the name "Edmondson" originated, whether from a historical person or place.
Thank you for getting back 2 me.
The Word/Name Edmondson originates from Dr.Thomas Edmondson who tho was a doctor,came from such a wealthy family that he never practiced.
After his death,his heirs sold off part of his estate which became Harlem Park in West Baltimore in the early 1870 s.
There is a good chance Edmondson avenue is also named after him and that also pre dates this early shopping centre.
Apologies,Harlem Square was named in 1867,it was Edmondson avenue that was renamed in 1871.