Juvenile facility (Montrose School or others) in Maryland

Iwas in Montrose from March, 1947 to August, 1950, when I turned 18. I had run away from home and was considered "incorrigible". Though I dreaded the entire experience at Montrose, those years proved to be the turning point in my life. I rebelled before I went there, and the whole time I was in there was an act of rebellion, but the staff and teachers were kind, although demanding strict disciplinary conduct. I was in Wilson Cottage - there were only three cottages then - Wilson, Myers and Bond. I spent three and a half years in the laundry, ironing damp clothes dry...(even mens' shirts, though I have no idea where they came from). The superintendent when I first went there, in 1947, was Mrs. Gardner. She retired about two wyears into my stay and Mrs. Scofield took her place. The Laundry Supervisor was a little lady, about 4 ft. 8 inches, with totally white hair and a face that was full of --- character. She was tough, very demanding -- and so good for a smart aleck like me. Others I remember were Mrs. Hazel Ford - a gentle, caring woman who gave me my first Bible...and Jane Deitrich, who taught English and loved me enough to help me through some really rough emtional times. All in all, Montrose was a special time in my life - and like some others who have posted here - I would love to be able to go back and visit the grounds once again. I've tried several times when visiting Maryland to find the School, but now I know why I couldn't locate it - it's not there anymore. I moved to California in 1952 and spent all of my years there until 5 years ago, when I moved to Washington State. I'm 75 years old now and have had wonderful, exciting life and credit my years at Montrose and the staff there,with helping me get my act together. If you're still looking for responses to your questionnaire,I'd be willing to fill one out for you.

Hello Dee. I was wondering how the book was coming. I also wondered if you had any other reports of abuse from other girls who were in Montrose. Also, the one person I remember who worked there while I was there, was Mrs. Francis. She was the only kind person I remembered. I wonder if any of the other girls remember her, too.

Anna Pizza wrote:

I was in Montrose between 1978 and 1980. During the biggest snow storm of the decade, winter 1979, I was placed in an isolation cell for 72 hours because I used drugs during my weekend home visit. While I was in isolation for those 3 days, I was sexually assaulted by the male gaurd that was on duty. It was a traumatic experience that I will never forget. The snow piled up for over seven feet and no one replaced him on his shift for 2 days and I was fearful he would attack me in my cell again.
After that, I fell into a deep depression and could not talk about the experience unitl I was an adult in therapy. I was 15 years old.
I often wonder if another girl who was a resident at Montrose was assaulted by the same guard.
pizzashelL@comcast.net

historian wrote:

I am working on a project that may lead to a possible book. I am interested in hearing from anyone who was EVER at Montrose School (a juvenile facility closed in the 80's) or anyone who knew someone who was there.
The data I am gathering has to do with the treatment of juveniles at that (and other ) facilities in Maryland, and I would welcome hearing from anyone ever in any juvenile facility that housed FEMALES only, starting in the 50's and continuing through to today.
I do NOT need to know your name or anything that is too personal. I am only interested in general treatment of juveniles in such facilities, and how the treatment has changed over the years. I would like an email contact so that I can send a questionnaire, and to make futher email contact if more data is needed. However I do NOT need to have any more personal info for this project. It is to do with GENERAL information only.
Thanks

I was at Montrose 3 times in the 1960's. 1964,1965, 1966. I was placed there because the courts could not find a foster home for me. I was 12 years old at the time. My name was Gail P. Howard. I would like to go back and see it again. I live in Southern Maryland. If you need to know more let me know.

I was in montrose in 1958 or 59. I am so grateful to the staff at montrose for the training they gave me. I was a runaway and I was l6 yrs old and had never been in trouble with the police. If it wasen't for Margaret Frederick I was headed for jessups. She happened to be in court the day I appeared. Thank God. She had them send me to Momtrose. And I remained friends with her for a long time. I am now 66yrs old and thank God that I was sent there because they tought me how to controle myself.

i was in montrose in the middle to early 70.s my experience was good. i remember mrs wright was the kitchen cook. very large woman but stern. i was also in the work release program.each day i was sent out to work at burger king which was down the road. montrose taught me a lot. i now live on the grounds where montrose was. they built a housing community here. i really feel at home i had one good friend annaletta streams. another melody from eastern shore.contact me florence.hyatt@yahoo.com

http://s79.photobucket.com/albums/j158/photop...

Go to this link for a couyple of photos and other Montrose info.

I am working on getting more photos, but it might take a while and I have to go "through channels" as Montrose is now the property of the Maryland National Guard.

Also trying to contact more former Montrose "girls" so more stories can be told.

florence douglas hyatt wrote:

i was in montrose in the middle to early 70.s my experience was good. i remember mrs wright was the kitchen cook. very large woman but stern. i was also in the work release program.each day i was sent out to work at burger king which was down the road. montrose taught me a lot. i now live on the grounds where montrose was. they built a housing community here. i really feel at home i had one good friend annaletta streams. another melody from eastern shore.contact me florence.hyatt@yahoo.com

I am trying to get more photos, but since Montrose is now the Maryland National Guard I have to go through channels. You say you now live on the grounds? Maybe you can send along some photos. I think it would be nice to have photos of all the cottages and the Mansion, and hope that someone can take them with a digital camera, as the ones I took many years ago are sort of faded now, and also very small and cannot be resized.

If you can get some photos let me know and we can post them here and on photobucket.

thanks

Dee

THE AVENGER wrote:

I WAS IN MONTROSE IN 87. THE SHIT WAS LIKE A FUN CAMP. I WAS IN FREDRICK COTTAGE, STAFF WAS COOL. THE STAFF WAS MADE UP OF 4 MALE. YOU COULD WEAR YOUR OWN CLOTHES, I REMEMBER MY MOTHER HAD TO RIDE 2 HOUR TO SEE ME. DO ANYBODY KNOW WHEN MONTROSE CLOSED?

Are you male? I do know that Montrose went coed I think in the 70's or early 80's.

Check this out:

http://s79.photobucket.com/albums/j158/photop...

There are a couple of photos and some info about Montrose School, including info about when it closed. It is now owned by the Maryland National Guard and I am trying to get permission for more photos and find someone on the spot to take them. I am in FL and can't get up there myself.

Dee

blr wrote:

I was in montrose in 1958 or 59. I am so grateful to the staff at montrose for the training they gave me. I was a runaway and I was l6 yrs old and had never been in trouble with the police. If it wasen't for Margaret Frederick I was headed for jessups. She happened to be in court the day I appeared. Thank God. She had them send me to Momtrose. And I remained friends with her for a long time. I am now 66yrs old and thank God that I was sent there because they tought me how to controle myself.

Check out this:

http://s79.photobucket.com/albums/j158/photop...

There are some photos, including one of Miss Frederick and Miss Rowland, taken in 2002. Also some info about Montrose School.

I am trying to get permission for someone to take more photos, but it might take a while as Montrose is now owned by the Maryland National Guard. I am in Florida and am trying to find someone in the area to take some photos of the cottages and the mansion. The ones I have I took long ago and they are not very good.

Thanks for coming to this forum. I hope many more people will find it and tell their stories.

Dee

Gail Pike wrote:

<quoted text>I was at Montrose 3 times in the 1960's. 1964,1965, 1966. I was placed there because the courts could not find a foster home for me. I was 12 years old at the time. My name was Gail P. Howard. I would like to go back and see it again. I live in Southern Maryland. If you need to know more let me know.

Thanks for replying. Check here:

http://s79.photobucket.com/albums/j158/photop...

For a couple of photos and some info on Montrose School. I hope to find someone to take more photos, as these are not too good, but Montrose is now owned by the Maryland National Guard and it might take a while to get permission.

Anyway, stop back and tell us your story, and also any names of other "girls" you knew there.

Dee

Laura Buttner Hamley wrote:

Iwas in Montrose from March, 1947 to August, 1950, when I turned 18. I had run away from home and was considered "incorrigible". Though I dreaded the entire experience at Montrose, those years proved to be the turning point in my life. I rebelled before I went there, and the whole time I was in there was an act of rebellion, but the staff and teachers were kind, although demanding strict disciplinary conduct. I was in Wilson Cottage - there were only three cottages then - Wilson, Myers and Bond. I spent three and a half years in the laundry, ironing damp clothes dry...(even mens' shirts, though I have no idea where they came from). The superintendent when I first went there, in 1947, was Mrs. Gardner. She retired about two wyears into my stay and Mrs. Scofield took her place. The Laundry Supervisor was a little lady, about 4 ft. 8 inches, with totally white hair and a face that was full of --- character. She was tough, very demanding -- and so good for a smart aleck like me. Others I remember were Mrs. Hazel Ford - a gentle, caring woman who gave me my first Bible...and Jane Deitrich, who taught English and loved me enough to help me through some really rough emtional times. All in all, Montrose was a special time in my life - and like some others who have posted here - I would love to be able to go back and visit the grounds once again. I've tried several times when visiting Maryland to find the School, but now I know why I couldn't locate it - it's not there anymore. I moved to California in 1952 and spent all of my years there until 5 years ago, when I moved to Washington State. I'm 75 years old now and have had wonderful, exciting life and credit my years at Montrose and the staff there,with helping me get my act together. If you're still looking for responses to your questionnaire,I'd be willing to fill one out for you.

It was so nice of you to reply. Go to this link:

http://s79.photobucket.com/albums/j158/photop...

For a couple of photos and some info on Montrose School.

I am trying to get some new pictures, but it might take a while. The "school" is still there, only now it is the Maryland National Guard. That is probably why you could not find it when you were in MD.

If you'd like to tell more of your story, or perhaps you have names of some of the girls you met there, please do post again.

Thanks

Dee

Lynn wrote:

I worked for one of the two assistant vice principals, Mr. Hawkins, prior to Montrose School closing in 1988. The grounds are now part of the military: Camp Feterred Amory.

Do you remember Mrs Black? She was the office manager when I was there.

Check out this:

http://s79.photobucket.com/albums/j158/photop...

for a couple of photos and some info on Montrose.

I am trrying to get more photos, and it might take a while, as I have to get permission from the Maryland National Guard and then find someone who can go take the photos, as I am in Florida.

I talked to a sargeant today and she said that most of the older buildings, like the mansion, have been remodeled. I personally think it is a shame, as that place was once the property of (I think) the brother in law of Napoleon, and should be an historical site.

Thanks for posting

florence douglas hyatt wrote:

i was in montrose in the middle to early 70.s my experience was good. i remember mrs wright was the kitchen cook. very large woman but stern. i was also in the work release program.each day i was sent out to work at burger king which was down the road. montrose taught me a lot. i now live on the grounds where montrose was. they built a housing community here. i really feel at home i had one good friend annaletta streams. another melody from eastern shore.contact me florence.hyatt@yahoo.com

Hi

Would yoube able to go to the grounds and take some photos? I know it is now the Maryland National Guard, but I think we can get permission for someone to go on the campus and at least take photos of the buildings that were once part of Montrose School.

If you can do so, and if you have a digital camera so tht the pictures can be sent via email. let me know. I have the name of a person in charge who I can contact to arrange it.

thanks

Dee

I hope you can do so, it would be really nice to get some current pictures, maybe I can even establish a web site if we had some photos and post them and everyone could get a look.

http://s79.photobucket.com/albums/j158/photop...

This link has a couple of pictures, but as you will see they are not really very good, they were taken a long time ago with an old style camera.

Let us hear from you again.

I was in Montrose from 1961 to 1962. I lived with my grandmother who was mentally ill and had dragged me from one city from another until I could not take it any more. I attempted suicide several times and was placed in foster care. My foster mother was abusive & her husband was an alcoholic. I gathered courage and told her that if she did not call the police to come for me I would kill myself. She called. I was transferred to Montross after a night in the Rockville, Md. Jail.
I literally loved my time there. I went to school, finished Cosmetology, worked for Miss. Fredrick in the Mansion serving lunch, making beds and cleaning sometimes. The Cosmetology teacher was Miss Piper. My counselor was Mr. Gebhardt. I remember when we were playing softball and a girl was hit in the mouth with the ball. There was a time we all had to take turns making bomb shelters in the cellars. Then whitewashing them. Cleaning chickens after they were slaughtered. Working in the gardens. It was a wonderful place to find peace and learn. They should have places like that for girls now. God bless Miss Fredrick!

andre butler wrote:

if any body nos my mom tylene mcpherson comment back

I remember your mom very well. She used to call me sneaky. lol
She became a second mother to me. I was in Montrose 81 to 83. Started in Meyers cottage moved up to Guttmacher. I was from PG County so I was what they called Court controlled. So it took forever for me to get out. I to remember a male security guard there that liked young girls and to this day it haunts me. When I read another young womans comment about it is when it all came flooding back. YUK!! I really would like to know if he was ever caught.
At any rate if you would like to email me, I can be contacted @ Prettylocs@cox.net.
I reside in Virginia Beach and needless to say once I got out I never returned.

andre butler wrote:

if any body nos my mom tylene mcpherson comment back

I have been looking for your mom as well last time I hear she moved to George St. somewhere. if you find her let me know....thanks

would like to have a reunion.Dee it would be nice to see if you could arrange it. since you know the person in charge of the amory now please respond

Sharon Holder wrote:

I'm not sure if my mother was in this facility back in the 1920s/1930 but Montrose School is one name we have been given as a possibility. Do you know where records are kept for Montrose School (if it did indeed house young females in the 1920s/30s)? If nuns weren't associated with this institution or if it didn't have something to do with a laundry facility it probably isn't the place I'm looking for to find out info on my mother and the institution she was in from her early teens thru 18+ years of age.(1926 thru 1932) We were always told she was in an orphange but I found out 2 weeks ago it was actually a 'correctional' or 'reform school' type facility instead.
<quoted text>

there was an institution in w.baltimore called the house of good shepherd, run by the catholic church.it was a place where girls were put for many reasons back in those days . perhaps there is where your mom spent her young years.

Perhaps your mom was placed in the institution called"THE HOUSE OF GOOD SHEPHERD" , which was located in W.Baltimore , and run by the catholics, many years ago.Many young girls were put there for various reasons .