History
Conrad’s Ruth Villa … “Who Is Ruth?”
That’s the question that is asked most often of the Conrad family by its customers and visitors. To learn the answer requires you to go back in time to the year 1931. Once you have returned from your journey, you will understand not only who Ruth was, but you’ll also understand why it’s no accident that Conrad’s has become the leader in on-premise catering.
It all began with Fred Conrad Sr. and his wife Bessie. Fred Sr. was a master plumber who operated his own plumbing business from a storefront in Baltimore City. The Depression dried up work and caused some of his clients
(general contractors) to default on payments.
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In June of 1931, Fred Sr. bought a 15 acre peninsula from a Mr. Samuel Bass. Fred saw this as an opportunity for a fresh start. Mr. Bass had rented out summer cottages located on the property to families from Baltimore City. He had named the property “Ruth” Villa, after a favorite granddaughter. After Fred Sr. purchased the property, he just tagged “Conrad’s” onto the name. Over the years, many who visited the Villa would mistakenly call Bessie “Ruth,” thinking the name had originated with her.
Fred Conrad Jr. was just 2 years old when his family relocated from Waverly in Northeast Baltimore to Frog Mortar Creek. The resort business was also hurting, so the Conrads thought they would try chicken farming, beginning with coops already on the property.
In 1933 the area suffered what Fred Jr. described as “a hundred year flood.... Bowleys Quarters was water, from peninsula to peninsula.” When the water receded the Conrads reassessed their plans.
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“My mother had some experience in the restaurant business, so we decided to cook the chickens. My mother started serving chicken dinners on the porch, and when prohibition ended, we opened a bar in the basement of the house.” |
The first customers where fisherman, hungry after long mornings angling for bass and pike. “We had a tough row to hoe” Fred Jr. recalls. “We trapped muskrats to help pay the mortgage. My father would skin them, and a furrier would come around to buy the pelts. It was $1.50 then for a brown one and $2.00 for black. Fishing, crabbing, catching muskrats, and shooting squirrels — that was my youth.” |
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By 1939, business had outgrown the family’s porch and basement. Conrad’s built a roomy catering hall and kitchen at the tip of the peninsula.
Then came the Second World War, and Fred Conrad Sr. went to work at the Maryland dry dock shipyard. With the war's end, opportunity knocked: Maryland Dry Dock needed a place for a company picnic and it chose Conrad’s. The family has been hosting such events ever since. Conrads has continued to expand their client base by offering more variety, both in menu and venue.
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| In 1995, environmental changes prompted the search for ways to better utilize the land without negatively impacting the environment. As a result, most of the summer cottages were torn down and in 1999 Parkside Marina emerged. |
Today, Conrad’s Ruth Villa and Parkside Marina are still family owned and operated by the Conrads. Each venue works hand in hand ensuring that clients experience the very best in food, fun, service and recreation. So whether you are looking for the perfect host to cater your corporate event, wedding, or fund raiser — or a unique marina and clubhouse-restaurant to enhance your boating and leisure experience --- Conrad’s won’t let you down!
Well, as you can see, we have been doing this for a long time. We would like to thank you for expressing an interest and taking the time to explore our rich history. It would be our honor if you would consider Conrad’s for your next event. Give us a call and pay us a visit. Oh, and by the way, the next time you hear someone ask, “Who’s Ruth?” help us share our story and preserve our proud family history!
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