25 Years Ago (Week of March 16-22, 1969):

* Five hundred acres of Patapsco State Park, from Oella to Daniels and from Woodstock to Gorsuch Switch, burned,

threatening homes in The Oaks and Chestnut Hills. The fires were apparently ignited by sparks from a B&O; freight train. Fire fighters and equipment from Howard, Baltimore and Montgomery counties responded to the blaze, which was declared under control after six hours.

* Rumors were circulating in the Guilford area of Howard County to the effect that the Rouse Co. was planning to "buy up" the community. Rouse company officials denied that any new land in the Oakland Mills Road area would be purchased, either by the company or on its behalf.

50 Years Ago (Week of March 19-25, 1944):

* Montgomery County General Hospital complimented the ladies its Howard County Auxiliary for their help in caring for linens and surgical dressings.

* Five bulls were sold this week from a herd kept by the Maryland House of Corrections in Jessup.

Information for this column was compiled by Diane Mullaly from the Howard County Historical Society library.