Baltimore’s famous Bromo Setzer tower
Organizing social events is not one of my strengths, but here’s what seems to be the plan for the CC Meet-ups in Auburn, Indiana and the Baltimore area:
Please keep in mind these are not highly-structured events. In Auburn (Sat. October 4), it appears that some of us (me included) will do the National Auto and Truck Museum at around 10AM or so. Those that want to start seeing the museum as a group at 10, let’s plan to meet in the lobby at around that time. But if you’re coming in later, I’m sure we won’t be hard to find. Presumably, we’ll try to finish around noon or so, and go get some lunch. Where? Don’t know yet. But if you’re coming in at lunch time, and want to find us, we could give out some phone numbers or such.
I’ll suggest we start at the the Auburn Cord Duesenberg Museum at 1:30. Again, look for us in the lobby/entrance, or the wild, raucous group touching all the cars, if you’re late. We’re going to have to find a place to socialize and have dinner, but again, that’s unplanned as of yet. If we knew how many were coming, we could consider reserving something appropriate.
I know a number of us are staying over Saturday night (the Quality Inn, for some), and perhaps heading off to other museums or locales in the morning.
Baltimore (Saturday 9/27): Someone threw out the suggestion of White Marsh Mall, which is just of I-95 a bit northeast of the city. Fells Point would be more colorful, but parking can be problematic. And this would allow folks to drive and park their cars in a group. I’m happy to spend Saturday afternoon hanging out there, and if folks want to roll that over into dinner, there or elsewhere, I’m up for that. But someone’s going to have to suggest a particular location, as it’s a huge place and I’ve never been there.
These events are very informal, and yes, bring family members/SOs if you want, as long as they’re car-talk tolerant. That’s about as much as I know right now, but if more details develop, we’ll keep you updated.
That’s great, Paul!
Is it possible that one day we could do one of these in Los Angeles, Huntington Beach, or San Diego, California? Or even Las Vegas?
Ballamer Beltway, exit Joppa Rd, site of the former Towson Ford (now has another name).
What’s there now? Is it a suitable site? Now that you mention it, there would be some, ah, history at that location.
It’s now a Verizon store. The body shop across the street was torn down and is now a Brooks-Huff Goodyear tire and service center.
You could go a couple blocks down to the Towson Diner and get some pancakes that taste oddly like cake.
Thanks for the extra info. My original plans changed, as my folks want to come too! So we may not be there for the truck museum, but will definitely get there by the beginning of the ACD tour. Can’t wait!
And just because I’m me…
Bromo-Seltzer clock? Does it have the d’Elegance package?
The Bromo Seltzer clock tower is a well-known landmark in downtown Baltimore — and one of the quirks that makes Charm City charming.
It used to be in plain view from just about any seat in Oriole Park, but the real estate boom in downtown Baltimore has caused new high-rises to sprout that block the view.
All joking aside, that Tower is really neat! Didn’t know it existed. I am a bit of an architecture buff; I especially love the old railroad terminals.
The tower was built by Cpt. Isaac Emerson, the inventor of Bromo Seltzer. It used to have a 51 foot bottle of Bromo topping it, which could be seen by ships in the Chesapeake Bay, but it had to be removed for structural concerns. The tower building now houses artist studios.
Baltimore has more than its share of cool towers. For years I passed this tower (attached photo) not knowing its purpose. It’s not an old smokestack; it’s a “shot tower.” Molten metal was dripped from the top into a water bath at the bottom to make lead shot for firearms. When it was built in 1828, it was the tallest structure in the U.S.
And in Baltimore, “Washington Monument” doesn’t necessarily refer to the 555′ tall obelisk in that other city 30 miles to the south. Baltimoreans constructed their own tower in honor of the father of our country long before the one in Washington was built. It’s located up in the appropriately-named Mt. Vernon neighborhood.
I’ve made my hotel reservations! And I’m bringing my girlfriend. We’ll find out just how tolerant she is to a day of nonstop car talk. (I suspect highly.)
That’s an acid test for any relationship. If she is tolerant, she’s a keeper. 🙂
Well, you can count me in for Baltimore, but I can’t suggest ideas as I am not all that familiar with anything besides the inner harbor there. Not sure if there are any automotive themed museums in the area. The Simeon museum in Philly is a good one, but a couple hours from Baltimore.
In the absence of other ideas, I think the Towson area might be best in that at least you have some history there. And I second the idea of someplace where folks can show up with thier cars…. Not that I have anything that cool to bring. 🙂
The inner harbor area is nice, especially for those visiting for the first time. Fells Point is funky and gives you a taste of old Baltimore, about 2 miles from downtown. Federal Hill is the current hot area, with lots of bars and restaurants, and less than a mile from downtown. The crabcakes at Mothers in Federal Hill are as good as any. Street parking is tough, but plenty of garages downtown.
Hey Paul –
Since I was the one who suggested White Marsh Mall – how about arranging the meeting at the IKEA store there? It is a big location with ample parking. And I’m going to a Volvo meet in Pennsylvania in the morning (in York) but I can try to get there around 3ish if I leave early.
Also, I know an excellent restaurant in Fells Point that I frequent whenever I am in the city – Gordon Biersch.
Guys, I’m making plans for Auburn on October 4th! I may be stag or I may have my SO with me, don’t know yet. Looking forward to it!
If you’re choosing Baltimore, how about in a locality in Baltimore.
Near the Canton Waterfront Park, where there’s access to food, beer, and scenery.
Or the parking lot of the Second Chance architectural salvage at
near the Russel Street entrance to 95. At least an urban location.
Or, well, anywhere but a mall? How many folks would appear?
I’m leaning more that general direction, and away from a huge anonymous mall. So many choices, between the sights and socializing, and…
It needs to be a reasonable compromise between the various elements, not to hard to find and get to, and offer the chance for both informal socializing, and maybe breaking off for dinner for those that want to keep at it.
And when you are riding up i-95 to White Marsh or Towson from the south of Baltimore you pass this,
And this is the engine bay of my 84 Tbird
Date for the Baltimore event?
I’ll toss in a vote for White Marsh just on laziness grounds, as I’m in Philly and that makes White Marsh closer than some of the other places being tossed out.
BTW, the Simeone Museum is fantastic but for that we really should plan a Philly area event. Y’know, they have some space on their own grounds, I wonder if there is something that could be worked out.
Sorry; I forgot. Sat 9/27. I’m leaning away from White Marsh; not scenic enough. Baltimore has lots to see, so we need to keep that in the equation.
Phooey, I have an unavoidable commitment for that date!
Me too – friend is getting married out of state 🙁
What day is the Indiana event?
Saturday October 4th.
Damn! Baltimore is the same weekend as the 17th century muster at St. Mary’s City, MD; and I’ll be dragging the sutlery to it.
Have fun guys. Sorry I won’t be able to make it.
I will actually be in Baltimore that week for work so I will plan on being there, except I will only have my Tahoe work truck and not a cool CC to drive. I don’t know the city very well so unfortunately I cant suggest any other locations.
Thanks for the update, Paul. I am still interested in the Baltimore area. White Marsh, Inner Harbor, wherever. I will ask my son who lives in BelAir somewhat to the north if there are any good restaurants/auto enthusiast attractions in the vicinity. I just would like to meet you guys and listen to stories. You can tell ’em better than me.
Auburn isn’t too far from Cincinnati for a long day trip-I think we can do this. And then make the pitch for you to come to Dayton some time, see the Packard Museum and the Museum of the Air Force (OK, they got to have an old Jeep there someplace).
The one to see at the USAF Museum (if it is back on display) is their road-mobile MX missile transporter-erector-launcher. That thing is incredible. Ruggedized to go offroad, and built to withstand its own missile’s exhaust, as well as the inevitable Soviet counterstrike…
I am cleared and booked for Auburn. My CC is tuned up and ready to rock. Can’t wait!
Throwing out ideas for Baltimore; there is the streetcar museum. Probably up the alley of some of us (like me – I grew up with trolleys on the streets, being from Philly). There still are some operating in Philly, but not like these anymore. It’s not too far from the inner harbor area. I’ve never been there, but am thinking of ideas that are at least tangentially related to the CC theme.
http://www.baltimorestreetcar.org
was a location and time ever set for the baltimore thingy?
Sorry; it’s not happening. Family health issues and other factors. Maybe next year, with more proper advance planning.
I’ll be there, but I haven’t made many comments. i just happen to live within 1971 oldsmobile driving distance