CH-714

Milton Somers House

Architectural Survey File

This is the architectural survey file for this MIHP record. The survey file is organized reverse-

chronological (that is, with the latest material on top). It contains all MIHP inventory forms, National

Register nomination forms, determinations of eligibility (DOE) forms, and accompanying documentation

such as photographs and maps.

Users should be aware that additional undigitized material about this property may be found in on-site

architectural reports, copies of HABS/HAER or other documentation, drawings, and the “vertical files” at

the MHT Library in Crownsville. The vertical files may include newspaper clippings, field notes, draft

versions of forms and architectural reports, photographs, maps, and drawings. Researchers who need a

thorough understanding of this property should plan to visit the MHT Library as part of their research

project; look at the MHT web site (mht.maryland.gov) for details about how to make an appointment.

All material is property of the Maryland Historical Trust.

Last Updated: 11-21-2003

Milton Somers House CH-714 LaPlata Private

1933

The Milton Somers House, demolished soon after being field surveyed, was a typical

example of Dutch Colonial Revival architecture in Charles County. Constructed in 1933, the

dwelling stood on a 1.5 acre lot facing east onto Washington A venue just beyond the Charles

County Courthouse and Government Building. Characterized by its gambrel roof with a

continuous dormer across the front, the house was two bays in width, two rooms deep and 2 Yi

stories high with several additions to the secondary elevations. An exterior end chimney stood on

the south gable end. The Milton Somers House was the home of the first Principal of LaPlata

High School from during the 1920s and 1930s.

Maryland Historical Trust Maryland Inventory of Historic Properties Form

1. Name of Property (indicate preferred name)

historic Milton Somers House

other

2. Location street and number West side Washington Avenue at Talbot

city, town LaPlata

county Charles

Inventory No. CH-714

not for publication

vicinity

3. Owner of Property (give names and mailing addresses of all owners)

name Charles County Commissioners

street and number 200 Baltimore Street

city, town LaPlata state MD

4. Location of Legal Description courthouse, registry of deeds, etc. Charles County Courthouse

city, town LaPlata

5. Primary Location of Additional Data x Contributing Resource in National Register District

Contributing Resource in Local Historic District Determined Eligible for the National Register/Maryland Register Determined Ineligible for the National Register/Maryland Register Recorded by HASS/HAER Historic Structure Report or Research Report Other

6. Classification

Category

district X building(s)

structure

site

object

Ownership

_x_ public private both

Current Function agriculture commerce/trade defense domestic education funerary government health care industry

landscape recreation/culture religion social transportation work in progress unknown vacant/not in use

X other:

DEMOLISED 8/2001

telephone 301-645-2550

zip code 20646

tax map and parcel: 113 p.91

liber 2128 folio 243

Resource Count Contributing Noncontributing __ 1 buildings

sites structures objects Total

Number of Contributing Resources previously listed in the Inventory

7. Description

Condition

excellent _x good

fair

deteriorated ruins altered

Inventory No. CH-714

Prepare both a one paragraph summary and a comprehensive description of the resource and its various elements as it exists today.

The Milton Somers House, demolished soon after being field surveyed, was a typical example of Dutch Colonial Revival architecture in Charles County. Constructed in 1933, the dwelling stood on a 1.5 acre lot facing east onto Washington Avenue just beyond the Charles County Courthouse and Government Building. Characterized by its gambrel roof with a continuous dormer across the front, the house was two bays in width, two rooms deep and 2 1/2 stories high with several additions to the secondary elevations. Windows and doors are typical of the Craftsmen style consisting of 6/1 sash found in the windows, and a stylistically typical door with sidelights. An exterior end chimney stood on the south gable end.

The Somers House had a wooden frame sheathed with weartherboard siding and asphalt shingles. The foundation was concrete and concrete block The front elevation includes an entry porch supported by thick, square wooden columns resting on brick piers. A grouping of three 6/ 1 windows was situated nearest the south corner. The second floor has two symmetrical pairs of 611 windows occupying the dormer.

The south elevation had single, centered 6/1 window in the attic story above two asymmetrical 6/1 windows in the second story. The first floor is obscured by a one story wing which may have been original to the dwelling. This wing consisted of a rectangular room covered with a hipped roof. It was lighted by two narrow 6/1 windows on the front elevation and four 611 windows on the south elevation. A 6/1 window is visible on the main wall.

The rear elevation included two extensions from the original form including a two story ell projecting from the northernmost bay and a one story hipped roof in the southernmost bay. The larger of the two includes a row of four narrow 6/1 windows on the second floor above a small 6/1 window on the first floor next to an altered doorway which is approached by a steep set of stairs. A 5-panel door closer to ground level stood at the interior end of this bay. The second story southernmost bay of the main structure includes a single 6/1 window. The one story addition below held a pair of 6/1 windows.

The attic story of the north wall includes a single 6/1 window. The second story had a full size 6/1 window near the front elevation and a smaller 6/1 window toward The rear where a second story bathroom is houses. The first floor has a 6/1 window near the fa;:ade which lights an interior stair passage and a pair of smaller 6/1 windows which lit the kitchen. The second story rear shed addition included a narrow pair of 6/1 windows.

The interior double-pile plan consists of a vestibule and living room fronting Washington A venue and a kitchen and dining room to the rear. A rear door also gives access to the kitchen which is located in the northwest corner of the main block. The lighted vestibule has a stair passage and square Craftsmen-inspired newel. In addition to providing access into the living room, a passage to the rear adjoins the original kitchen. Appendices, which are believed to have been original extend the living space of the main block and include a sunroom adjoining the living room, a sitting room adjoining the dining room, a mudroom/pantry adjoining the kitchen on the first floor and an additional bedroom on the second floor.

8. Significance

Period

- 1600-1699 - 1700-1799 - 1800-1899 _x 1900-1999 - 2000-

Areas of Significance

agriculture archeology architecture art commerce communications community planning conservation

Specific dates 1933

Construction dates 1933

Evaluation for:

National Register

Inventory No. CH-714

Check and justify below

_x economics _ health/medicine education _industry engineering _invention entertainment/ _ landscape architecture

performing arts philospohy politics/government religion

recreation _law ethnic heritage _ literature exploration/ _ maritime industry settlement _military

Architect/Builder

Maryland Register

science social history transportation other:

Unknown

x not evaluated

Prepare a one-paragraph summary statement of significance addressing applicable criteria, followed by a narrative discussion of the history of the resource and its context. (For compliance reports, complete evaluation on a DOE Form - see manual.)

The Milton Somers House was the home of the first Principal ofLaPlata High School from during the 1920s and 1930s.

Milton Michael Somers was born on the Eastern Shore of Maryland near Crisfield. In 1920 he graduated from Western Maryland College and in 1924 completed a law degree form the National University Law School. From 1923 to 1927 he gained experience as the principal of Surratsville High School, before moving on to principal the newly constructed LaPlata consolidated school. Beginning with five faculty and 224 pupils, Somers ended his career in the 1960's with 67 faculty and 1700 pupils. He helped organize the county council of parents and teachers and was vice president of the Maryland Congress of Parents and Teachers from 1928-1932. In 1943 he was appointed high school supervisor for all county schools. He was also active in many local organizations including the American Red Cross, the Children's Aid Society, the United Methodist Church ofLaPlata. He volunteered as a fireman, served on the Town Council, as president of the County Bar Association, first president of the LaPlata Lions Club.

The town ofLaPlata (CH-326) was established in 1873 as a stop along the Pope's Creek Branch of the Baltimore and Potomac Railroad on land which once included two large farms known as "The Hermitage" CH-?? And "LaPlata Farm". By 1887 the population of the village had grown to 120 and by 1896, the county seat was moved from the colonial village of Port Tobacco. By the turn of the century, LaPlata had emerged as the county's most prosperous town with new government buildings, multiple business and fine houses along the railroad. In the early twentieth century a new residential area emerged to the north of Charles Street. The lane next to the courthouse led from Charles Street to the Matthews family farm, the "Hermitage". After 1905 the Matthews family began to sell lots along this lane. By 1926 the town population had risen to 500

9. Major Bibliographical References Inventory No. CH-714

10. Geographical Data

Acreage of surveyed property 2 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~-

Acreage of historical setting 2

Quadrangle name LaPlata Quadrangle scale I :24 000

Verbal boundary description and justification

The Milton Somers House, now demolished, stood on Charles County Property Tax Map

11. Form Prepared By name/title Cathy Currey/Historic Sites Surveyor

organization Charles County Planning Dept date 911710 I

street and number 200 Baltimore Street telephone 301-396-5815

city or town LaPlata state MD zip code 20646

The Maryland Inventory of Historic Properties was officially created by an Act of the Maryland Legislature to be found in the Annotated Code of Maryland, Article 41, Section 181 KA, 1974 supplement.

The survey and inventory are being prepared for information and record purposes only and do not constitute any infringement of individual property rights.

return to: Maryland Historical Trust

DHCD/DHCP

100 Community Place

Crownsville MD 21032

410-514-7600

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MARYLAND INVENTORY OF HISTORIC PROPERTIES CONTINUATION SHEET

Section-2_ Page_l_ Milton Somers House name of property

Inventory No. CH-714

Charles County, Maryland county and state

Major Bibliographic References:

Brown, Jack D., et al. Charles County, Marvland. A History. Charles County Bicentennial Committee, 1976.

Charles County Land Records, Charles County Courthouse, LaPlata, Maryland.

Klapthor, Margaret Brown. The History of Charles County. Maryland. LaPlata, MD: Charles County Tercentenary, Inc., 1958.

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