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Post by cranky64 on May 27, 2013 19:23:20 GMT -4
Does anyone know the back story on the big mausoleum back at the end of Castle Marina RD with one person interned? Seems very out of place for the size of it.
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Post by kiboater on May 28, 2013 18:20:32 GMT -4
From an old board post:
Re: Benton Farm Post by reds on Sept 21, 2007, 6:24am
Quote: "Yeah the weirdest part of Benton farm is that after all the years of it being abandoned it was rennovated and then abandoned again. Plus there is a mausoleum on the property that has the bosy of at least 1 Benton family member in it. Freaky stuff.
The mausoleum was built for Edie Bittorf, a daughter of the man who bought the farm from the Benton heirs. Mr Bittorf (Father) may also be buried there, as may his wife. I don't know if she is still alive or not. A lot of the older single family houses in Castle Marina were built by the Bittorf family.
The Bittorf family sold the property to the present owners.
I don't think there is any Benton family buried there."
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Post by K.I. Born date 1964 on May 28, 2013 18:33:56 GMT -4
I think Mr Bittorf is buried there. He died in a mud slide when they were building the new Kent Narrows bridge as I recall.
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Post by cranky64 on May 28, 2013 19:36:43 GMT -4
Thanks! I wonder if they will demolish it.
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Post by Water Lady on May 28, 2013 20:08:48 GMT -4
I think Mr Bittorf is buried there. He died in a mud slide when they were building the new Kent Narrows bridge as I recall. This is one of those posts that will have me up half the night... Mr. Bittorf built the house that we lived in when I was a young teen and I even babysat for the family on several occasions. I remember them as very nice people. When he sold the property, I thought he went on to develop a sub-division outside St. Michaels (name escapes me at the moment,) on the Miles River and lived out his years on the Eastern Shore. Maybe I have him confused with a brother? Nevertheless, back in the "good-ole-days" when there were only about 30 (+/-) houses in Castle Marina, we explored EVERY WHERE, including the very back of the property where the Mausoleum is located. One of the neighborhood dad's told our "gang" the building was a Crematorium and that did the trick! We never ventured too close to the place. Until I read this post, I had NO idea it was a Mausoleum. Would love to hear from others who might have more information about Mr. Bittorf and his family. As I recall, he flew his own plane and that's why the airstrip was there...
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Post by cranky64 on May 28, 2013 20:37:54 GMT -4
Here is a recent photo I think Mr Bittorf is buried there. He died in a mud slide when they were building the new Kent Narrows bridge as I recall. This is one of those posts that will have me up half the night... Mr. Bittorf built the house that we lived in when I was a young teen and I even babysat for the family on several occasions. I remember them as very nice people. When he sold the property, I thought he went on to develop a sub-division outside St. Michaels (name escapes me at the moment,) on the Miles River and lived out his years on the Eastern Shore. Maybe I have him confused with a brother? Nevertheless, back in the "good-ole-days" when there were only about 30 (+/-) houses in Castle Marina, we explored EVERY WHERE, including the very back of the property where the Mausoleum is located. One of the neighborhood dad's told our "gang" the building was a Crematorium and that did the trick! We never ventured too close to the place. Until I read this post, I had NO idea it was a Mausoleum. Would love to hear from others who might have more information about Mr. Bittorf and his family. As I recall, he flew his own plane and that's why the airstrip was there... Attachments:
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Post by kiboater on May 28, 2013 21:22:24 GMT -4
This is from the Capital archives:
Edith Helfrich Bittorf, 81, of St. Michaels, died Jan. 17 at her home. The cause of death was not avail able.
Mrs. Bittord was born in Baltimore on Jan. 3, 1920, the daughter of the late Samuel H. and Edith Benson Helfrich. She graduated from Catonsville High School in 1938.
On July 22, 1940, she married Henry Bittorf of Baltimore. She raised their family in the Guilford area of Baltimore until 1965 when they moved to Chester. She and her husband were housing developers and automobile dealers on the upper Eastern Shore.
Mrs. Bittorf was a past active member of Kent Island United Methodist Church and a current member of St. Luke's United Methodist Church of St. Michaels. She also was known for her painting, caring and ceramics.
Surviving are two sons, William H. Bittorf of Daytona Beach, Fla., and James Bittorf of St. Michaels; six grandchildren; and three greatgrandchildren.
A daughter, Edith Stanfield, died in 1984.
Friends may call from 3 to 5 and 7 to 9 p.m. today at Fellows, Helfenbein and Newman Funeral Home, 106 Shamrock Road. Services will be at 11 a.m. tomorrow at Kent Island United Methodist Church in Chester. Entombment will be private.
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Post by jetskibrat on May 28, 2013 21:29:18 GMT -4
wow I love reading history items like this thanks for sharing it
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Post by Water Lady on May 28, 2013 21:29:54 GMT -4
Now I'm really confused... If Edith Stanfield died in 1984 and an earlier post said the Mausoleum was built "for her," what was it before that? I was living in Castle Marina from around 1973 to 1980... The building above IS the same building that was there when I was there... Anyone else out there who was around at the time? I mean, you don't think it's possible they converted it from a crematorium to ----- nah...that's just not possible!
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Bill
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Post by Bill on Jun 11, 2013 12:59:07 GMT -4
Mr. Bittorf developed Benton's Pleasure and paid for the sewer line on Cox Neck Road to serve it. Mike Sipes was the Contractor and I was the County Inspector. His son Jimmy developed Martingham in St. Michaels. I remember Jimmy working in the ditch wearing slacks and expensive leather shoes. The Bittorfs were great folks. I believe Mr. Bitttorf was killed on Rt. 50 at the foot of the new bridge. I don't remember if it was from the crash or a heart attack.
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Post by ravensfan on Jun 11, 2013 16:43:14 GMT -4
Mr. Bittorf developed Benton's Pleasure and paid for the sewer line on Cox Neck Road to serve it. Mike Sipes was the Contractor and I was the County Inspector. His son Jimmy developed Martingham in St. Michaels. I remember Jimmy working in the ditch wearing slacks and expensive leather shoes. The Bittorfs were great folks. I believe Mr. Bitttorf was killed on Rt. 50 at the foot of the new bridge. I don't remember if it was from the crash or a heart attack. I think you mean BridgePointe, that Mr Bittorf developed. Benton's pleasure was plated back in the late 40's by people named Benton. When the sewer was put into Benton's Pleasure, Thomas Ewing owned a lot of the lots in there. Bittorf also develop some lots in Harbor View, that he sold to a builder. I think his name was Lowman.
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Bill
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Post by Bill on Jun 11, 2013 17:29:42 GMT -4
I was the Inspector at Bridge Pointe also. I understand that it was an existing subdivision but there were lots on Benton’s Pleasure Road that didn’t perc so the only way he could build on them was to bring the sewer down. Mr. Bittorf was on the job every day making sure Mike had everything he needed and he spared no expense. He invited me to his home to have lunch with him and showed me his pictures of Bittorf Ford from the 40’s.
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Post by lynnlewis on Mar 15, 2014 22:49:25 GMT -4
It was because of the Bittorf family that our family moved to Kent Island in 1967. My daddy, John Talley did alot of work for Mr. Bittorf: doing the body work and painting used cars for him to sell. They knew one another when they were young in Baltimore, possibly going back to the 1930's. My daddy's shop was behind the Western Auto. We lived in a house that Mr Bittorf owned, and rented to us, the old original house in the Harbor View development. Some old timers here might remember this. There was a beautiful marshland between the house and Cox Creek that was allowed to be filled in and a housing development built there.
The Bittorf family made alot of money "developing" Kent Island and many would say that it wasn't for the better. My daddy dropped dead at work from a heart attack. Mr. Bittorf's son came to our house 3 days after he died and told my mom that we could buy the house or move in 30 days. That was impossible because she didn't work nor did she even drive a car. This is the kind of person he was.
Alot of folks get their status and reputation because they make alot of money but how they make their money isn't always known.
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Post by brandon on Apr 10, 2014 23:07:41 GMT -4
I just looked at the photo. That's one big mausoleum! Looks like it was built to accommodate over 70 bodies! Does anyone know what that open space is right in the middle of the tomb?
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Post by cranky64 on Apr 11, 2014 7:57:40 GMT -4
It is the wetland that Four Seasons want's to plant 500 house seeds in I just looked at the photo. That's one big mausoleum! Looks like it was built to accommodate over 70 bodies! Does anyone know what that open space is right in the middle of the tomb?
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Post by alleycat on Apr 11, 2014 9:57:14 GMT -4
Good one!
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moxie
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Post by moxie on Apr 16, 2014 11:34:24 GMT -4
Very cool! I know Jamie Bittorf from St Michaels.. which I guess is his grandson? Anyways, I never knew all the history behind his family! How cool. And yes, their son James still resides in Martingham in St Michaels- my husband grew up next door. All very interesting. Thanks for sharing!
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bva
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Post by bva on Jun 5, 2014 20:15:04 GMT -4
Since I have been married in this family since 1964: I am amazed at what time has done to the truth. I moved to Castle Marina with my husband and three year old daughter in 1967. There were only four houses in Castle Marina at the time. We had several speculation houses going up at the time as well. We built the Western Auto Building and William Helfrich Bittorf sold American Motors in this building originally. The corporation owned both gas stations on both sides of Route 50. Later we sold Ford in Chestertown, and Cambridge. After the death of his father William Helfrich Bittorf inherited what you call the Benson Farm and all the responsibility of the Mausoleum. The cemetery sits on lands purchased from Davidson as an option to buy when Castle Marina was purchased. There is no Benson in the Bittorf Cemetery. William Helfrich Bittorf built a number of homes not only in Castle Marina, one in Benson Pleasure, Marling Farms, and Condos in Martingham. This was a family corporation spanning three generations. Bittorf's brought jobs to the Eastern Shore. Talk to the old brick mason, well drillers, etc. William Helfrich Bittorf and his family took active part in saving the water shed. The spoil site was offered when the Island deal fell through. Likewise, when the Bay Bridge required repaving. What you see on the waterfront is the purchased steel and concrete hauled in on the bridge now fenced and torn out by the County. There are three bodies in this structure. Alleged vandals broke the marker where Edith and William Bittorf chose their final resting place. William Henry Bittorf was killed instantly during the construction of new bridge, and Edith Bittorf survived the crash.
have driven through once pristine golf course graded graded five acres, destroyed the well and condition of the structure has not been maintained as agreed upon for perpetual care by the Purchaser. James Bittorf is the son as well as William Helfrich Bittorf of Edith and William Bittorf. Legal notices have recently been served upon the Corporation to Absolve the conditions. We were promised that the Cemetery grounds and structure would be graded with new trees, and flower beds by Spring, 2014. As you can see this has not been done.
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Post by alleycat on Jun 6, 2014 9:13:07 GMT -4
This is from the Capital archives: Edith Helfrich Bittorf, 81, of St. Michaels, died Jan. 17 at her home. The cause of death was not avail able. Mrs. Bittord was born in Baltimore on Jan. 3, 1920, the daughter of the late Samuel H. and Edith Benson Helfrich. She graduated from Catonsville High School in 1938. On July 22, 1940, she married Henry Bittorf of Baltimore. She raised their family in the Guilford area of Baltimore until 1965 when they moved to Chester. She and her husband were housing developers and automobile dealers on the upper Eastern Shore. Mrs. Bittorf was a past active member of Kent Island United Methodist Church and a current member of St. Luke's United Methodist Church of St. Michaels. She also was known for her painting, caring and ceramics. Surviving are two sons, William H. Bittorf of Daytona Beach, Fla., and James Bittorf of St. Michaels; six grandchildren; and three greatgrandchildren. A daughter, Edith Stanfield, died in 1984. Friends may call from 3 to 5 and 7 to 9 p.m. today at Fellows, Helfenbein and Newman Funeral Home, 106 Shamrock Road. Services will be at 11 a.m. tomorrow at Kent Island United Methodist Church in Chester. Entombment will be private. What year??
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Post by kiboater on Jun 7, 2014 21:55:27 GMT -4
This is from the Capital archives: Edith Helfrich Bittorf, 81, of St. Michaels, died Jan. 17 at her home. The cause of death was not avail able. Mrs. Bittord was born in Baltimore on Jan. 3, 1920, the daughter of the late Samuel H. and Edith Benson Helfrich. She graduated from Catonsville High School in 1938. On July 22, 1940, she married Henry Bittorf of Baltimore. She raised their family in the Guilford area of Baltimore until 1965 when they moved to Chester. She and her husband were housing developers and automobile dealers on the upper Eastern Shore. Mrs. Bittorf was a past active member of Kent Island United Methodist Church and a current member of St. Luke's United Methodist Church of St. Michaels. She also was known for her painting, caring and ceramics. Surviving are two sons, William H. Bittorf of Daytona Beach, Fla., and James Bittorf of St. Michaels; six grandchildren; and three greatgrandchildren. A daughter, Edith Stanfield, died in 1984. Friends may call from 3 to 5 and 7 to 9 p.m. today at Fellows, Helfenbein and Newman Funeral Home, 106 Shamrock Road. Services will be at 11 a.m. tomorrow at Kent Island United Methodist Church in Chester. Entombment will be private. What year?? January 17, 2001
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bva
New Member
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Post by bva on Jun 7, 2014 22:56:10 GMT -4
The space in middle and other damage caused by vandals.
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Post by justinhuber on Jun 19, 2016 13:50:48 GMT -4
I am Edith Stanfield's daughter. I am sickened by some of the posts I have read. I live in Florida, and unfortunately, don't have the means to visit my Mom's resting place. My Pop-Pop and Nana are resting in the family plot as well. I hope that none of you have to hear about any of your loved ones being talked about the way some of you have mine. It was built for my Mother before she past, because she battled cancer for MANY years, and knew she would need it one day.She wanted the whole family to be resting together, so my grandfather had it built. My Pop-Pop didn't die in a mudslide. Please be respectful of my family. I would never gossip about anybodies loved ones who have past. I think it's in poor taste. It's not haunted, and there's nothing "spooky" about it. And I hope the vandals that vandalized my family plot get their karma backlash, three times over. If I am to be placed next to my Mom one day, I would like to think humanity is strong enough to NOT vandalize ones resting places. So sad!
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Post by barnaclebill on Jun 19, 2016 16:28:53 GMT -4
"I am sickened by some of the posts I have read."
All due respect- the last post was two years ago...why open it up?
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Post by justinhuber on Jun 19, 2016 23:44:31 GMT -4
What does it matter when the posts were? I just now found this forum, after goggling my own Mothers name. If it were your Mother, would you not be disturbed by finding all this out, just today?! All due respect, it's a big deal to me. I wasn't even looking at how long the last post was posted, nor did I care. It's irrelevant.
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Post by Frank on Jun 20, 2016 15:14:46 GMT -4
Which posts 'sickened' you? I have read this over three times now and don't find anything sickening. I see a lot of curiosity in the posts, but nothing disrespectful.
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