Day 218 - South Prospect Street in Hagerstown

(Click any photo to enlarge.)

On the National Historic Register

I met with two friends today, sisters Jan and Judy, and we walked along South Prospect Street in Hagerstown, Maryland.  This beautiful street, which sits on a hill above the downtown area of Hagerstown, was once considered the "must have" address of local residents.

Classic Symmetry

Victorian Beauty

We parked by one of the two churches on the one-way street, and began our walk, admiring the many substantial homes still adorned with period detail from the late 1800's through the early 1900's.  Although many of the homes have been converted to apartments, and the residents represent a more diverse population, they have retained their character and charm.  Almost every home was brick, some painted in beautiful hues of green and terra cotta and blue; a number of homes had turrets and stained glass windows.  Nearly every home had a porch, some with gingerbread trim and wooden spindles.  A number of the homes are on the National Register of Historic Homes.

The City Park is at the end of the street

As we worked our way down the street, we engaged in conversation with a man who was originally from Budapest.  He told us how much he loves Hagerstown, the state of Maryland, and the U.S.  He said that this is a country where we have it all -- mountains, oceans, plains, deserts -- and all of it is beautiful.  He also loves American history; even though our history is young, in comparison to Europe, he said that it is dynamic and engaging and that we are not afraid to defend human rights in the world.  It was refreshing to hear him speak in such glowing terms of his adopted homeland.

View from the bridge over Antietam St;
note the copper bay windows
on the building at left.

As we worked our way back up from the bottom of the hill, we encountered a man who was having his brother-in-law's house packed of its contents.  This man's sister had died two months ago, and her husband needed to go into an assisted living residence.  Movers and packers were filling the contents of the house -- 55 years of life in that house -- with china and glassware and books and furniture and numerous collections.  It was sad to talk to him, but it reminded me that those of us who are aging need to consider what we want done with all of our "stuff."  Having it all packed into banana boxes and placed on a truck destined for auction just seemed so impersonal and sad.

Dizzying Fire Escape

Along our walk, I gave Jan and Judy a few tips about using their point-and-shoot cameras.  I pointed out things like listening for the beep when the focus was locked in, switching to the flower icon for close up shots (and remembering to switch back), and instead of using the zoom for closeups, to move the camera in close.

Thanks, Jan and Judy, for the walk together today in Hagerstown.  Because you were with me, I was able to work on both of my goals for my photo walks that I set in January -- to walk more often with others, and to engage more often with those I meet along the way.   Check and check!

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Visit my photography show, "My Maryland," at the public library in Urbana, Maryland, on the lower level of the building.  It is there until the end of April.

Hurricane Sandy Relief: Donate to the Red Cross, and I will mail you a 5 x 7 print from any of the photos I have posted on my blog OR any photo on my website.

Forward to me via email a receipt for donating to the Red Cross. Tell me whether the photo is from the blog or the website, and Include its title along with a mailing address. The name on the receipt to the Red Cross must match the name of the mailing recipient. Send the receipt and the photo request to camscamerashots@gmail.com.

Click on any photo to enlarge it.

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Visit my web site: camscamerashots.zenfolio.com
Follow me on Twitter: @camscamerashots
Email:  cam.miller@comcast.net

Cam's rules for the Daily Photo Walk:

1. walk every day
2. the walk must be in addition to any other planned activity for the day
3. post a photo every day
4. use whatever camera is easy and convenient for walking comfortably; always have a backup camera at the ready in case of mishaps (I use the Nikon Coolpix P7700)
5. no weather excuses
6. walk only where it is safe to do so