The Original Clear Spring Post Office Building

Open on special occasions and by appointment  

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 This small log structure building at 106 Cumberland Street represents the founding roots of Clear spring, equally as much as the Spring itself.  

 

In 1823, a simple-constructed building was built across from the town spring to serve as the town's first post office.  It is believed that the post office was only at the location for a few years.  

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For unknown reasons, the building was remodeled during the 1850's.  A second story and garret were added.  The doors were switched to the west side of the front and back.  During the 1860's the building became the telegraph office for a few years.  In the late 19th century, the Clear Spring Spring town band held their practices in this building and stored their uniforms upstairs.  From around 1930 until 1958, Houck's Store used the post office building for for storage.  Hundreds of pounds of chicken often filled the first floor.  

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The structure was sold to Donald Ankeney after the death of Mr. Houck.  Mr. Ankeney, a lawyer, never used the building.  The old post office eventually became part of the Ankeney Estate.  

 

The building was condemned to be razed by the Washington County Government in 1994  The second floor had fallen through to the first floor and the east wall had fallen into the building. 

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The trustees of the Ankeney Estate realized the historical value of the building and offered to donate the structure to the CSDHA.

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The CSDHA Board of Directors toured the building and agreed that it had to be saved.  Work began at once to find the needed funds to repair the building.  The Board of Directors of Preservation Maryland reviewed the need and offered an interest-free loan,payable in three years. The board met agreed to accept their offer. CSDHA signed the deed for the building in 1995.  The loan and a very generous donation allowed the building to be restored. 

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For a time, the post office served as the headquarters for the CSDHA.  The upstairs housed the Hilda Cushwa Memorial library and the lower level was used for files. The library has been moved to the Brown Meeting House.  

 

Work is being done on the post office to restore it to what it may have looked like in the 1800's as a post office and telegraph office downstairs with living quarters upstairs.  
 

More information about the Old Post Office can be found in the

 February 2004 "Used to Be" Newsletter

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