“Ruffian, Patriot, and Philanthropist…”
John Quincy Adams.
Born in Calvert County, by 1813 John Stuart Skinner was a Purser for the U.S. Navy, in charge of purchases and accounts for the United States Chesapeake Flotilla. When the British came up the Patuxent River and threatened Washington, Skinner performed a Paul Revere-like ride from Baltimore to Washington to warn the city of their approach. Because of his actions, Skinner’s property---which is now the site of Jefferson Patterson Park and Museum---was burned by the British.
In 1819, Skinner founded The American Farmer, the first agricultural paper published in the United States, and he was also the editor of the American Turf Register and Sporting Magazine, and the Plough, the Loom and the Anvil.
Skinner was also put in charge of exchanging prisoners for the United States during the War. In September 1814, he was assigned to work with the assistance of attorney Francis Scott Key in obtaining the release of Dr. William Beanes, of Upper Marlboro. Several army deserters had plundered farms near Upper Marlboro as the British forces returned from the attack on Washington, and Dr. Beanes, among others, seized these marauders. One prisoner escaped, and returned with a contingent of British marines to secure the release of the others. Beanes was arrested by the British and taken aboard one of their ships during the attack on Baltimore. Key and Skinner were summoned to seek his release.
Thus Beanes, Key, and Skinner were present during the bombardment of Fort McHenry, where Key was so moved that he composed a poem. Skinner claimed he took Key’s poem to the newspaper where it was published on the evening of September 20, 1814, under the title “Defense of Ft. McHenry.” Other accounts suggest that it was actually Judge Joseph Hopper Nicholson who took the poem to be published.
In 1931, this poem, and the music it was set to in 1814, was officially designated as the U.S. National Anthem, “The Star-Spangled Banner.”
Portrait of J. S. Skinner, Lithograph by F. D’Avignon, courtesy the Maryland Historical Society, Baltimore, Maryland.
(Inscription under the painting on the right)
N.C. Wyeth painting by the Dawn’s Early Light shows Key and Skinner (Looking through spyglass). Image used with permission of New York Life Insurance Company. N.C. Wyeth, most recognized for his children’s book illustrations, began his career in 1902 painting America’s adventuresome heritage.
(Inscription above and below the image on the far right)
The Poem. Francis Scott Key’s The Star-Spangled Banner
One of the early hand written versions of The Star-Spangled Banner written in 1814 by Francis Scott Key. Courtesy of the Maryland Historical Society, Baltimore, Maryland.
(War of 1812) Includes location, directions, 3 photos, GPS coordinates, map.
Gift to the Wicomico Historical Society by
Since 1931 The Society of Jesus (Jesuits) have operated a retreat house here for the spiritual development of the laity. The grounds and several of the buildings were the site and home of Jefferson College founded for the education of the youth of St. James Parish. 
”More representative American locomotives of the period would be difficult to find. Both the Jupiter and 119 were of the eight wheel or 4-4-0 wheel arrangement. This style of engine was so common in the United States that it was called the American type locomotive. Introduced in 1836 it was a standard form of locomotive by the 1840’s and maintained its leading position well into the 1880s.” (John H. White, Jr., Trains magazine, May 1969) 
“The original Jupiter and No.119 were scrapped at the turn of the century. Despite their absence, the replica locomotive tell the story of the building and significance of the nation’s first transcontinental railroad. Today’s engines are beautiful, modern-day replicas, but the story they tell is as timeless as the visions they evoke.” (D. Davies, Superintendent of Golden Spike National Historic Site, document dated 2/28/85) 
Of the many interesting commercial buildings on Lower 25th Street, this two-story structure known only by its faded inscription plaque, “London Ice Cream” may be the oldest and certainly one of the most architecturally significant buildings in the historic district. Pre-dating building records, the store was probably built in 1882-83. It has a Greek Revival facade with its pedimented roof and window pilaster, however, Italianate influences are also evident in the roman arched windows and bracketed cornice. 
Jazz scholars refer to this neighborhood as one of the original birthplaces of jazz. The early sounds of jazz emanated from music halls in this area frequented by Buddy Bolden and other jazz greats. In honor of this historic location, Louisiana artist Robert Dafford was commissioned to paint a series of jazz murals. The clarinet has been an integral part of New Orleans style jazz bands since the music's inception in the late 1890's. This modified "Albert System" model clarinet is similar to those favored by jazz musicians who played here.
Built in 1901, this unaltered two-story brick building housed the Joseph Rogerson Restaurant and the J.E. Davenport and Co. Saloon. It was one of scores of buildings built to accommodate the crowds of travelers brought to Ogden by the Railroad. 
One of the oldest and least disturbed buildings in the 25th Street Historic District is this two-story brick vernacular store built in 1888. The simply corbeled cornice and segmentally arched window bays with stone keys are the only attempts at decoration. 
This building was constructed circa. 1888 by Solomon C. Stephens. The family owned land and constructed several commercial buildings on the north side of the 200 Block of 25th Street. Stephens owned the property until 1895 when it was sold to the First National Bank. Later owners included Herbert H. Hayes, and Tom and Akiko Kinomoto who sold the property in 1993 to the current owners, Carma Whiting and Karen White. 
On this site between 1849 and 1957 stood the Union Hotel and Hall. Built by three veterans of the Mexican War, the hotel was a one-story adobe and the hall a one-story frame building. These were destroyed by fire in 1866 and replaced by two-story structures of stone and wood. The hotel was a rendezvous for such noted soldiers as William T. Sherman, Joseph Hooker, George Stoneman, and George Derby. The hall was also a focal point for theatrical, social, musical, and political events in Sonoma. The Bank of America built its Sonoma Branch on this site in 1957.
Birthplace of California wine. Founded in 1857 by Colonel Agoston Haraszthy, father of state’s wine industry. Limestone tunnels were dug into the hillside and vineyards were also established. Haraszthy toured Europe in 1861 to gather the cuttings that developed California’s wine industry.
This is the first stone winery building in California, and also the first “gravity-flow” wine building. The Count’s wine grapes were loaded directly to the back of the building’s second floor from the road , made into wine, then brought by gravity to the caves below to be aged at steady, cool temperatures. The use of pumps can bruise wine - thus reducing flavor. 
This structure was erected in 1858 by Captain Granville R. Swift, a member of the Bear Flag Party. The stone in the building was quarried here by native Indian labor. General Persifor F. Smith, U.S. Military Commander-in-Chief in California, lived in the little house nearby in 1849.
Every year on Veterans Day, the five pillars of the Memorial will align perfectly to cast one, long shadow across the circle of pavers at precisely 11:11 a.m. At the exact same time, the sunlight projecting through the elliptical openings in the pillars will pour through and perfectly encompass and illuminate the mosaic of the Great Seal of the United States, forever reminding us of the courageous U.S. Military veterans who have served and sacrificed to protect our nation.
