Maryland Historical Trust
Maryland Inventory of
Historic Properties Form
1. Name of Property
Inventory No. PG: 85A-032-11
(indicate preferred name)
historic
William H. Early Store
other
Bean and Early Store
2. Location
14134 Brandywine Road
not for publication
city, town
Brandywine
vicinity
county
Prince George's County
street and number
3. Owner of Property
(give names and mailing addresses of all owners)
name
John and Dorothy Yerkie
street and number
2305 Floral Park Road
city, town
Clinton
telephone
MD
state
zip code
20735-9657
4. Location of Legal Description
courthouse, registry of deeds, etc. Prince George's County Courthouse
Upper Marlboro
city, town
tax map 145
tax parcel
liber
212
4892 folio 535
tax ID number
11 1150762
5. Primary Location of Additional Data
X
Contributing Resource in National Register District
Contributing Resource in Local Historic District
Determined Eligible for the National Register/Maryland Register
Determined Ineligible for the National Register/Maryland Register
Recorded by HABS/HAER
Historic Structure Report or Research Report at MHT
Other: Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission, Prince George's County Planning Department
6. Classification
Category
district
X building(s)
structure
site
object
Ownership
Current Function
public
X private
both
agriculture
X commerce/trade
defense
domestic
education
funerary
government
health care
industry
Resource Count
landscape
recreation/culture
religion
social
transportation
work in progress
unknown
vacant/not in use
other:
Contributing
1
1
Noncontributing
1
buildings
sites
structures
objects
1
Total
Number of Contributing Resources
previously listed in the Inventory
1
7. Description
Inventory No. PG: 85A-032-11
Condition
excellent
X good
fair
deteriorated
ruins
altered
Prepare both a one-paragraph summary and a comprehensive description of the resource and its various elements
as it exists today.
The William H. Early Store, located at 14134 Brandywine Road, is currently an antiques and collectibles
store. The two-and-a-half-story Colonial Revival-style building was built in 1872 and has two additions
located along its rear elevation. A wood-frame garage is situated in the northern portion of the lot. The lot is
sited on the northwest corner of Brandywine Road at its intersection with the Conrail railroad tracks,
formerly the Baltimore and Potomac Railroad tracks. With the exception of a few bushes along the western
elevation of the building, there is no vegetation on the lot. The entire lot is covered in gravel and the area
fronting Brandywine Road is used as parking. A chain-link fence encloses the area west of the store where
antique tractors are stored. Late-nineteenth-century dwellings are located to the north of the building, while
early- to late-twentieth century commercial buildings flank it on Brandywine Road.
STORE
Designed in the Colonial Revival style in 1872, the two-and-a-half-story building was constructed to
function as a general store. The wood-frame structure is two bays deep and five bays wide with the main
entrance occupying the central façade (south elevation) bay. When surveyed in 1985, the structure was clad
in a mixture of asbestos shingles and aluminum siding; the structure has since been reclad with vinyl siding.
The building is covered by a side gable roof with overhanging eaves, an ogee-molded cornice, and returns.
An interior-side chimney of brick pierces the roof, which is covered in pressed metal shingles. The store
also features an exterior-end chimney brick chimney with a corbelled cap on the west (side) elevation. A
one-story, wrap-around porch fronts the structure. Wood posts encased in aluminum support the half-hipped
porch roof.
The main entrance, located on the façade (south elevation), is a double-leaf wood door topped by a 3-light
transom and framed by a square-edged wood surround. The entrance is flanked by 6/6 windows that retain
their original square-edged surrounds. Single-leaf wood doors with square-edged surrounds flank the firststory windows. The second story of the façade has five symmetrically placed 6/6 windows with squareedged surrounds.
The porch wraps around the southeast corner of the building and intersects with a shallow two-story, shedroofed extension on the east (side) elevation. The second story of the east elevation of the extension has
small paired 6/6 windows. The second story on the east (side) elevation of the main block features a
standard-size 6/6 window with a square-edged surround. A smaller 6/6 window is located in the gable end.
The westernmost porch bay is enclosed in vinyl siding; this bay wraps around the southwest corner of the
building and extends north along a portion of the western (side) elevation. The enclosed southwest section
of the porch features a single-leaf wood door on its east elevation and window on the south façade elevation.
Maryland Historical Trust
Maryland Inventory of
Historic Properties Form
Inventory No. PG: 85A-032-11
William H. Early Store
Continuation Sheet
Number 7 Page 2
Operable, louvered wood shutters cover the window. The exterior-end chimney on the west (side) elevation
is flanked by standard-size 6/6 windows with square-edged surrounds. Like the east (side) elevation’s gable
end, the western gable end has a smaller 6/6 window with a square-edged surround.
Two additions have been built since the building was constructed in 1872. A two-story, wood-frame
addition is located along the rear elevation of the store. The addition existed when the building was
surveyed in 1985 and was likely constructed c. 1910 as evidenced by its form and materials. The addition,
like the main block of the store, has been reclad in vinyl siding. The addition has a half-hipped roof clad in
asphalt shingles and features an acroterion at the hip’s peak. The roof has an ogee-molded cornice and
overhanging eaves. The west and east (side) elevations of the addition have one 6/6 window on the first
story and two 6/6 windows on the second story. The north (rear) elevation has one 6/6 window on the first
story and three 6/6 windows on the second story. All the windows have square-edged surrounds.
A second, one-story addition abuts the two-story addition along its north (rear) elevation. The one-story
addition existed at the time of the 1985 survey; the form and materials of the addition suggest it was built c.
1920. The one-story addition is constructed of concrete blocks and covered by a side gable roof. The roof
has overhanging eaves, a portion of which extends to form a porch on the west (side) elevation and is
supported by wood posts. This porch extension did not exist at the time of the 1985 survey. The gable ends
are sheathed in vinyl siding. A single-leaf wood door is located on the addition’s west (side) elevation and is
flanked by 6/6 windows with square-edged surrounds. A roll-up garage door is located on the east (side)
elevation of the addition. The interior of the store was not accessed at the time of the on-site survey.
GARAGE
A garage, constructed c. 1990, is associated with the store. One bay in width and one bay in height, the
structure is constructed of wood framing. In keeping with the store, the garage is clad in vinyl siding with
vinyl corner boards. A side gable roof with overhanging eaves caps the structure. The roof is covered in
asphalt shingles and has a plain fascia board. A 1/1 vinyl-sash window is located on the east (side)
elevation. A roll-up garage door is located on the south elevation of the building. The interior was not
accessible at the time of the on-site survey.
Maryland Historical Trust
Maryland Inventory of
Historic Properties Form
Inventory No. PG: 85A-032-11
William H. Early Store
Continuation Sheet
Number 7 Page 3
INTEGRITY
The William H. Early Store, which is still in use as a store, has a moderate level of integrity. Additions to
the structure are located to the rear of the building but still detract from the original design and
workmanship as does the enclosed bays of the wrap-around porch. The replacement of materials has
compromised the integrity of the materials. Although a c. 1990 garage has been constructed on the site, the
store and its lot retain their integrity of setting, feeling, association, and location. The William H. Early
Store retains sufficient integrity to convey its significance as an example of late-nineteenth century
commercial growth tied to the expansion of the railroad.
The garage is a non-contributing resource due to its c. 1990 construction date.
The William H. Early Store and property retains a moderate level of integrity.
8. Significance
Period
Areas of Significance
1600-1699
1700-1799
X 1800-1899
1900-1999
2000-
agriculture
archeology
architecture
art
X commerce
communications
community planning
conservation
Specific dates
1872
Construction dates
1872, 1910, 1920
Inventory No. PG: 85A-032-11
Check and justify below
economics
education
engineering
entertainment/
recreation
ethnic heritage
exploration/
settlement
health/medicine
industry
invention
landscape architecture
law
literature
maritime history
military
Architect/Builder
performing arts
philosophy
politics/government
religion
science
social history
transportation
other:
Unknown
Evaluation for:
National Register
Maryland Register
not evaluated
Prepare a one-paragraph summary statement of significance addressing applicable criteria, followed by a narrative discussion of the
history of the resource and its context. (For compliance projects, complete evaluation on a DOE Form – see manual.)
STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE
Construction of the Baltimore and Potomac Railroad through Brandywine in the 1870s brought new business
opportunities to the area. Local farmer William H. Early constructed a general store c. 1872 adjacent to the new
railroad line. The William H. Early Store is an example of late-nineteenth century commercial growth tied to
the expansion of the railroad. The building is sited close to railroad, illustrating the impact railroads had on the
economic life of Brandywine, a railroad-oriented community. Although the integrity of design, materials, and
workmanship have been compromised, the building retains adequate integrity of feeling, location, setting, and
association to convey its significance as part of Brandywine’s commercial past.
HISTORIC CONTEXT
The William H. Early Store is located in Brandywine, a small community in the southern portion of Prince
George’s County. Prior to the Civil War (1861-1865), a store and a post office existed in Brandywine. The store
and post office were enterprises of the Early family, the oldest settlers in the area. 1 According to the 1861
Martenet Map of Prince George’s County, William Early’s farm and house were located one mile east of the
present-day store. Early established his first store and the town’s post office on his farm.2 Construction of the
Baltimore and Potomac and the Southern Maryland and Point Lookout railroads after the Civil War spurred
substantial development in Brandywine.3
The business opportunities associated with the railroad prompted Early to purchase a 42-acre tract of land
known as Widow’s Trouble.4 The tract, located both north and south of Brandywine Road, ran parallel to the
railroad tracks. Early constructed the main block of the general store in 1872 and ran the store in partnership
Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission, Historic Contexts in Prince George’s County (1991), 8.
Simon J. Martenet, “Atlas of Prince George’s County, Maryland, 1861,” Adapted from Martenet’s Map of Prince George’s County,
Maryland (Baltimore: Simon J. Martenet C.E., 1861).
3
Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission, Historic Contexts in Prince George’s County (1991), 8.
4
Daniel Garner, constable, to William H. Early, Prince George’s County Land Records, HB5:566
1
2
Maryland Historical Trust
Maryland Inventory of
Historic Properties Form
Inventory No. PG: 85A-032-11
William H. Early Store
Continuation Sheet
Number 8 Page 2
with his sons, James and Charles Early. By stocking a wide variety of quality goods, the company prospered
and Early was able to buy more land in Brandywine. At the time of his death in 1890, William Early owned
3,000 acres in the Brandywine area, which comprised most of the village itself.5
After Early’s death in 1890, the property was subdivided amongst his sons. The store continued to operate
under the management of William’s son, Charles Early, and his son-in-law, James Bean. At this time, the
general store was renamed the Bean and Early Store. Under Charles Early and James Bean’s ownership, the
two-story, half-hipped roof addition was constructed, which doubled the size of the store. A one-story, concreteblock addition was built after World War I (1914-1918) and was the last addition to the store. For many years,
the village dentist’s office was located in the second floor of the building. In 1957, the property was sold out of
the Early and Bean family following an equity dispute.6
Ownership of the property has changed hands three times since 1957, and the structure has continued to
function as a commercial building. The commercial building continues to stand along a commercial corridor
with other buildings dating from the early- to late-twentieth century.
Susan G. Pearl, “William H. Early and Co. Store,” (PG: 85A-032-11) Maryland Historical Trust State Historic Sites Inventory Form
(1985), 8:1.
6
Pearl, “William H. Early and Co. Store,” 8:1.
5
9. Major Bibliographical References
Inventory No. PG: 85A-032-11
Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission, Historic Contexts in Prince George’s County, 1991.
Martenet, Simon J. Martenet's Map of Prince George’s County, Maryland. Baltimore: Simon J. Martenet, 1861.
Pearl, Susan G. “William H. Early and Co. Store” (PG: 85A-032-11) Maryland Historical Trust State Historic Sites
Inventory Form, 1985.
Prince George’s County Land Records.
10. Geographical Data
Acreage of surveyed property
Acreage of historical setting
Quadrangle name
less than one acre
42 acres
Brandywine
Quadrangle scale: 1:24,000
Verbal boundary description and justification
The property is bounded by the Conrail Railroad tracks to the east, Brandywine Road to the south, Cherry Tree
Crossing Road to the west, and the southern property line of 13094 Cherry Tree Crossing Road, which is demarcated
by a row of dense and mature trees, to the north. The property has been associated with Parcel 212 as indicated on Tax
Map 145 since 1872.
11. Form Prepared by
name/title
Elizabeth Breiseth and Paul Weishar, Architectural Historians
organization
EHT Traceries, Incorporated
date
October 2007
street & number
1121 5th Street NW
telephone
202.393.1199
city or town
Washington
state
DC
The Maryland Inventory of Historic Properties was officially created by an Act of the Maryland Legislature
to be found in the Annotated Code of Maryland, Article 41, Section 181 KA,
1974 supplement.
The survey and inventory are being prepared for information and record purposes only
and do not constitute any infringement of individual property rights.
return to:
Maryland Historical Trust
DHCD/DHCP
100 Community Place
Crownsville, MD 21032-2023
410-514-7600
Maryland Historical Trust
Maryland Inventory of
Historic Properties Form
Inventory No. PG: 85A-032-11
William H. Early Store
Continuation Sheet
Number 9 Page 1
Chain of Title
Deed HB5:566
February 24, 1872
Daniel Garner, constable, to William H. Early (42 ½ acres known as Widow’s
Trouble for $300)
Equity 1904
1893
Division of William H. Early’s real estate (deceased 1890) among real estate
allotted to his son Charles S. Early
Deed 101:156
June 27, 1914
Georgia W. Early, widow, et al., heirs of Charles S. Early to Charles S. Early and
Marion Bean (as tenants in common)
Deed 127:252
September 1, 1917
Charles S. and Cora Early and Marion and James Bean to Paul Johannsen
Deed 127:253
September 1, 1917
Paul Johannsen to two couples: Charles and Cora Early and Marion and James
Bean (each couple received a half interest in the lots)
Will WCH2:157
December 29, 1953
Testator Charles S. Early to Lewis M. Early, son (half interest in the store)
Equity B-1095
1957
Heirs of Lewis M. Early vs. A. Fred Garner and James and Marion Bean
(petition of parities to sell Bean and Early Store to Garner)
Deed 2106:376
April 15, 1957
Ernest Loveless (trustee) to A. Fred Garner
Deed 3911:820
February 1, 1971
A. Fred and Alma Garner to Margaret Delany (for the purpose of reconveying)
Deed 3911:822
May 1, 1971
Margaret Delany to A. Fred and Alma Garner
Deed 4892:535
February 20, 1978
A. Fred and Alma Garner to John and Dorothy Yerkie
Maryland Historical Trust
Maryland Inventory of
Historic Properties Form
Inventory No. PG: 85A-032-11
William H. Early Store
Continuation Sheet
Number 9 Page 2
Photo: William H. Early Store, view of the façade (south elevation), looking northwest.
Maryland Historical Trust
Maryland Inventory of
Historic Properties Form
William H. Early Store
Continuation Sheet
Number 9 Page 3
Photo: William H. Early Store, view of the southwest elevation, looking northeast.
Inventory No. PG: 85A-032-11
Maryland Historical Trust
Maryland Inventory of
Historic Properties Form
William H. Early Store
Continuation Sheet
Number 9 Page 4
Photo: Garage, view of the north elevation, looking south.
Inventory No. PG: 85A-032-11