ST. MARY'S TODAY
GREAT MILLS --- Remember the hit movies of the past Hidalgo or The Time Machine? Or do you recall the old Coca Cola ad that had a Santa Klaus in it? If you are a baby boomer who used to go to the movies and watched television like a couch potato, you might as well remember those scenes.
The two movies and the Coke ad had one thing in common, Clyde’s Ice Co. Cart.
Come festive season and Santa Klaus without the bushes in St. Mary’s County, Bubby Knott, not only makes it sure people have a smile on their face, but his barns take them back to an era gone by through his eclectic collection of antiques.
“It’s not a replica, it’s the Clyde Ice Co. Cart that was shown in Hidalgo, the Time Machine and the Coke ad,” the local philanthropist and businessman said at his Flat Iron Farm on Thursday evening.
A fairy tale atmosphere descends on the 200-acre farm located off of Flat Iron Road, beginning Thanksgiving and lasting until New Year.
Along with the festivities, there’s a lot of local and national history at the Flat Iron Farm that opens the door of its facilities for public viewing during the entire season. Like for the past 20 years, the Flat Iron Farm doors will open its door on Thanksgiving night November 23. “It will be open to the public from sunset to about 9.30 pm Thursday thru Sunday,” Knott said. “It will be like that until the New Year.”
Knott’s collection includes the yellowish depression and greenish carnival glasses, the Mickey Mouse Collections dating back 1950, Nehi Upper 10 and Royal Crown bottles and Coke collections from 1928, rare comics, books and even a bed.
Knott’s also has the first old Coca Cola box.
Some of the items will be put on auction. “There will be a big auction on December 9, at 9 O’ Clock in the morning,” Knott said.
At one place sits the 1923 Ford Model ‘T’. Though Knott said he does not drive any antique car, “This will ride just like new.”
The truck used to be the sales truck for Watkins products salesmen. The products were manufactured by J.R. Watkins Co., Winona, Minnesota. A tin of ginger kept in the truck’s quaint trunk reads, “Watkins pure ground spices and Watkins vanilla extract win highest award at the international exposition, Paris.”
Much more expensive from the antique collectors point of view is a carriage from 1871.
It reads “Hoffman & Lambert Coffee & Tea Co, established 1871….May-Flower Coffee, 5th and Market Street, Baltimore USA Ph 4161.”
In an adjacent building, there’s a replica of the store from a bygone era that even has the slot machine in it.
“The collection is what is called eclectic. I see it, I like it, I get it. They don’t have to match,” Knott said when asked about a bed headboard in the barn.
Knott has owned the farm, with its picturesque trails, green pastures and ponds, for 25 years now.
Julie Bingman manager of the Equestrian Studies at Flat Iron Farm, said with all the construction going on in St. Mary’s county people rarely get a chance to visit and see how a farm looks like. Knott’s farm meets that need during Christmas season.
“There will pony rides for kids,” Bingman said “People can see potbelly pigs, limas, sheep, goats, turkeys chicken, ducks and geese.”
Bingman teaches people horse riding has as her motto, “Spark your imagination, live your dream and come ride with us.”
“Music is played from my home and the lights dance with the music,” Knott said.
“On a given night more than a thousand cars can come here,” he said. “There are some “bodies” to help people with the parking,” said Knott, meaning the parking arrangements are elaborate.
Knott said because of the season of being nice and kind begins Thanksgiving, neighbors are in fact delighted when the revelers throng the farm.
“The worst grinch, those who are grouchy over small things, who visit with us will return with a big smile,” Bingman said.
Knott has lived all his life in the Great Mills area around the Holy Face church and owns the Great Mills Trading Post. A devout Catholic, he is a first cousin of Senator Roy Dyson.
On the request of former commissioner Shelby Guazzo, Knott donated the land on which sits the new Carver Elementary School.
He was once a student of board chairman.
