What was Charles County like in the 70s/80s?
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acommondisaster
Active Member
We moved to Chuck Co. in 1986. There was really nothing to speak of south of where Giant and Gold's Gym on the west side of 301. The mall had not been built, though there was a Zayres where JoAnne's Fabric used to be. KMart was right around where Giant now is. We used to have to go to Springfield or Fredricksburg to go to a mall.
They had just started knocking down trees for what now is Westlake development. The only department store was Peebles, where the Borders is(was). And there was really no place to go out for a nice dinner. We wound up having an anniversary dinner at Po Folks (I miss their fried chicken!).
There were still tobacco farms around and you could see the amish buggies lined up in Hughesville for the tobacco auctions once a year. Quite a sight, and I wish I'd taken pictures.
Route 228 was a 2 lane speed trap. Heck, Indian Head Highway was too (well, not the speedtrap, but 2 lanes). When we drove up to Camp Springs to pay the rent, the rental agent asked us "so how do you like living in the sticks?"
But even then, traffic on 301 SUCKED.
They had just started knocking down trees for what now is Westlake development. The only department store was Peebles, where the Borders is(was). And there was really no place to go out for a nice dinner. We wound up having an anniversary dinner at Po Folks (I miss their fried chicken!).
There were still tobacco farms around and you could see the amish buggies lined up in Hughesville for the tobacco auctions once a year. Quite a sight, and I wish I'd taken pictures.
Route 228 was a 2 lane speed trap. Heck, Indian Head Highway was too (well, not the speedtrap, but 2 lanes). When we drove up to Camp Springs to pay the rent, the rental agent asked us "so how do you like living in the sticks?"
But even then, traffic on 301 SUCKED.
I ran a wholesale firewood operation in the 70s..and a lot of the timber tops we bought from timeber brokers came off the tracts that were cleared to become St. Charles, the power lines, etc. Used to go to Waldorf to pick up chainsaw supplies..and that little hardware store was one of the few buildings in Waldorf that far north.
SD1492
New Member
I moved to Chuck County in 1984 (9 yrs old). Moved to Bryans Road (Just inside Chuck County on 210. I remember when it was woods on both sides of 210 (thick woods). I remember the drive in movie theater where the Christmas Tree store is now, Super Fresh. I remeber the shopping center where Burlington is would only allow you to pass in a car two times at night before given a ticket (crusing). I also remember when they broke ground for the mall to be built. I can remember also when I would get up during the summer say see you later to mom and dad and they wouldn't see me till after dark. I use to play for hours on end in the woods (Now houses). I remember my dad yelling for me and you bet your rear end you got home fast so you could eat dinner or you didn't eat. To be young again some times would be nice. But I'm glad to say I was able to have a childhood where you could go out side, leave the house and your parents weren't as scared you would be killed or worse like it is today.
nachomama
All Up In Your Grill
Chuck County has grown tremendously since the 70's/80's. None of the Westlake part of St. Charles even existed until the late 80's. The mall wasn't there, the shopping center on the other side of Smallwood Drive wasn't there. It was all wooded.
Where the Festival is now, used to be a Sears Surplus Store, there was a Burger Chef, the drive in theater and I think Denny's was there. Where Best Buy and Market Place is was all woods.
Waldorf Shoppers World had a Rustler's Steakhouse where Red Hot & Blue is. Peebles was where Sports Authority is. Dart Drug was where Borders is. Mammoth Mart was where Burlington Coat Factory is. Szechuan Gardens and the movie there were there. Roy Rogers was where Einsteins' is. Teens used to cruise that parking lot every weekend.
La Plata was "rural". There was a People's Drug (where Outback is now); Safeway was in that shopping center, as well as a jewelry store, a bakery, a liquor store. There was no KFC - just the gas station. Howard Johnson's was on the other side of the street in front of the church. There was a Chevy Dealership where the Exxon station is and a Hardee's. A & P/Superfresh was where True Value is. None of that stuff behind there (Facchina, etc) was there. You had the IGA store across from the old Firehouse, Ben Franklin and PS Bowling's was in the building next to Casey Jones. I remember La Plata High School used to have their Homecoming Parade which started where the Governmental Center is now (used to be Milton Somers Middle School), go down Charles Street to 488 then onto LPHS. After the parade we had the homecoming game - on a Saturday afternoon.
I remember all high school football games for all 4 high schools (LPHS, Lackey, Stone and McDonough) being played at White Plains Regional Park.
Where the Walmart is in La Plata - that was all wooded. There was a little motel there. Where Walgreen's is there was a Roy Rogers.
Where the Festival is now, used to be a Sears Surplus Store, there was a Burger Chef, the drive in theater and I think Denny's was there. Where Best Buy and Market Place is was all woods.
Waldorf Shoppers World had a Rustler's Steakhouse where Red Hot & Blue is. Peebles was where Sports Authority is. Dart Drug was where Borders is. Mammoth Mart was where Burlington Coat Factory is. Szechuan Gardens and the movie there were there. Roy Rogers was where Einsteins' is. Teens used to cruise that parking lot every weekend.
La Plata was "rural". There was a People's Drug (where Outback is now); Safeway was in that shopping center, as well as a jewelry store, a bakery, a liquor store. There was no KFC - just the gas station. Howard Johnson's was on the other side of the street in front of the church. There was a Chevy Dealership where the Exxon station is and a Hardee's. A & P/Superfresh was where True Value is. None of that stuff behind there (Facchina, etc) was there. You had the IGA store across from the old Firehouse, Ben Franklin and PS Bowling's was in the building next to Casey Jones. I remember La Plata High School used to have their Homecoming Parade which started where the Governmental Center is now (used to be Milton Somers Middle School), go down Charles Street to 488 then onto LPHS. After the parade we had the homecoming game - on a Saturday afternoon.
I remember all high school football games for all 4 high schools (LPHS, Lackey, Stone and McDonough) being played at White Plains Regional Park.
Where the Walmart is in La Plata - that was all wooded. There was a little motel there. Where Walgreen's is there was a Roy Rogers.
NorthBeachPerso
Honorary SMIB
Just like Calvert was then:
Much better.
Much better.
OldHillcrestGuy
Well-Known Member
Moved to Brandywine in 1972, worked in the heart of Waldorf at Pargas, now Suburban Propane. There were only 2 stoplights then one at 301 and 5, and the other at 925 and 5. I got an hour for lunch went home just about everyday to Cedarville and had close to 40 minutes to relax at home. In 1978 moved to Charlotte Hall, Ive seen Waldorf grow.
homedepot20
Well-Known Member
Remember Smitty Steak House ! My grandma took me there like every other Sunday for dinner after dinner She & Grandpop played the slots
ItalianScallion
Harley Rider
Anyone remember the large house where 5 and Mattawoman Beantown roads used to intersect? I think it was called Spring Hill or Spring Hill lake??? and it was kind of a night club? I only went there once or twice but it wasn't bad...
Now another iconic building has been torn down on 301 S next to the Verizon wireless bldg. The old "Desert Inn" is now a pile of rubble. I remember having breakfast there once in 1976 and it wasn't bad...:shrug:
Now another iconic building has been torn down on 301 S next to the Verizon wireless bldg. The old "Desert Inn" is now a pile of rubble. I remember having breakfast there once in 1976 and it wasn't bad...:shrug:
homedepot20
Well-Known Member
Remember my dad buying carry out beer from there stopping from StMarys to PG
ItalianScallion
Harley Rider
I also remember the Heidelberg Motel and Rebs sitting near where the NTB and Home Depot now sits.
homedepot20
Well-Known Member
If I remember right
aps45819
24/7 Single Dad
I have a 9 drawer craftsman tool box I bought there. Paid $30 because it had a big scratch on the side
Chasey_Lane
Salt Life
I miss Bob's Big Boy! 
aps45819
24/7 Single Dad
I miss Bob's Big Boy!
Maybe BG will share
