The "Seneca Cannery Antiques Mall" Story

The Seneca Cannery Antiques Mall in Havre de Grace, MD.

It was an ordinary day.  Sitting in an overstuffed lime green chair next to Jerry, who happens to be sitting in another mute colored chair, reading magazines and waiting for Carol and Just Sue to finish roaming the second floor of the Seneca Cannery Antiques Mall in Havre de Grace, Maryland.  

A view of the rear of this amazing building.

A few days ago I wrote about our visit to the town known as the "Haven of Grace" to have lunch and explore the town that sits along the Susque- hanna River flats at the head of the Chesapeake Bay.  After lunch at the Tidewater Grill, we drove the streets of Havre de Grace looking at the architecture and historic buildings that line the streets in this quaint little town.  One of the stops that the girls wanted to make was at the Seneca Cannery Antiques Mall which has been a favorite for us for quite a few years.  The historic cannery dates back to the post-Civil War era.  

The first floor of the antique mall.

The three-story brick structure was built in 1875 and measures 225 feet by 40 feet in size.  The cannery was equipped with the latest machinery and equipment that was powered by four steam engines that were more than likely housed in the basement of the building.  Stephen J. Seneca was the inventor of the equipment that could make a complete can with soldered top and bottom, all at one time.  

The second floor of the mall.

30,000 cans would be made in a day using the 100 horsepower created by the steam engines.  Stephen and brother Robert owned and operated the cannery until their deaths in 1918 and 1931.  The canning business occupied the basement and first floor of the building where they canned tomatoes using the name on their label of RED CROSS.  The second floor of the building was used for the Seneca brothers hosiery business which they began in 1891.  T'he business manufactured all types of seasonal stockings while employing 80 to 90 skilled workers who made about 700 dozen ribbed stockings weekly.  The latest equipment was used which included 15 higenbothom robbers, 27 keystone knitters, knitting machines, loopers and winders all run by steam power produced by the four steam engines in the basement.  

The label that was used on the tomato cans.

After the death of both of the Seneca brothers, the cannery continued to operate as the American Cannery Co. until the 1950's.  Since that time the building has been used for warehousing, boat making, fund raising activities and even as a haunted house.  

Historic District marking on on the front of the building.

I'm sure the creaky floors and cob-web covered walls acted as a great backdrop for scaring the bejeezus out of the town folk.  About 15 years ago the building was purchased, renovated and opened as an antiques center.  Today there are more than 50 quality antique dealers who sell to customers that travel from around the country to visit this town that is the birthplace of Baltimore Orioles legend Cal Ripken, Jr.  I enjoy walking through the stands and reliving my life over and over again, but after a while I tire of that and find the overstuffed chair a safe haven while waiting for my wife and her friend.  It was another extraordinary day in the life of an ordinary guy.