Comments on: Thoughts On Del Haven: A Brief History Of A Bel Air Landmark

By: Karen Irwin

Karen Irwin — Fri, 22 Jan 2010 02:43:33 +0000

My grandfather is Felix M. Irwin. My Dad is Felix M. Irwin, Jr. and I have 3 brothers and 2 sisters. We all have been very proud to be members of the Irwin family. A little history is that my Grandfather’s Del Haven was the first motel on the east coast.
The first motel on the west coast is in San Luis Obispo, CA..
My grandmother told us that she started the motel business by letting people set up tents on their property on the way from Baltimore to Florida. She takes credit for saming her pennys and erecting the cabins that eventually turned out to be Del Haven.
There was also a little miniature golf course and a little zoo.
Anyway, I am so grateful to find this article with the pictures, thanks so much! Sincerely, Karen

By: Ron Burke, Seattle, WA

Ron Burke, Seattle, WA — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 18:58:48 +0000

Ray,
Rueben was married to my mother’s sister Virginia. None of my family remain in the county but I don’t know about Reubens immediate family or his relatives. He had 6 children as I remember; Betty(who married locally), Barbara (now deceased), Jack and Billie, and I don’t remember the other two but could find out through my sister. He also had a brother named Sherman who had two children. The boy is deceased and the girl is in Harford County married to a friend of mine. Names escape me but I could find out, I believe her last name should be Garret and she is in Dublin.

By: Ray Leftwich

Ray Leftwich — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 15:53:23 +0000

Ron,

Are there any of Reuben’s family still in Harford county?

By: vietnam vet

vietnam vet — Sun, 01 Nov 2009 12:01:50 +0000

As for the teen ager’s. it was the most popular hang out. Gino’s & the Harvey House had not yet emerged. saturday night drag raceing was common.
I guess for some reason the twin kiss restaurant. was never popular with the kid’s. then along came the jarrettsville pike. of which credit must given to the local state police. who constantly tried to end the drag raceing.

It was not and uncommon practice. for those officers to pay your parent’s a visit. to let them know what Mommy’s baby boy was doing.

By: Guy Stillwell

Guy Stillwell — Sun, 01 Nov 2009 01:50:14 +0000

Can only imagine what Del Haven was like in its hay-day

By: HIRAM LODGEPOLE

HIRAM LODGEPOLE — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 20:17:09 +0000

word had it back when Reuben was getting started, and business was booming, the land his drive-in was on was owned by the F.M Irwin family…and they were reluctant to give Reuben Leftwich a lease longer than 12 months at a time…not sure why that was, but that’s what the word was…and Reuben perservered and his place along with Bob Comes’ White Star in Edgewood became classics.

By: Ron Burke, Seattle, WA

Ron Burke, Seattle, WA — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 04:38:46 +0000

Wow, what memories! As a newly arrived 9 year old I almost drowned in the Del Haven pool. My uncle Reuben owned ‘Reuben’s Drive In’ and my mother, Reubens Sister-in-Law, with 3 kids had just arrived while moving from Florida and were living with Uncle Reuben and his family before finding a home. Mother took us to Del Haven for swimming lessons and I jumped into the pool, feet first, with no idea how deep the water was. It was well over my head and I had to be rescued. My mother began working at Reuben’s and my swimming lessons continued.

Anybody remember Reuben’s as a gas station and the “Suzie Q’s” (1947).

Todd, could you do a story on the begining of the business that ultimately became Reuben’s?

By: Bob Gallion

Bob Gallion — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 22:37:32 +0000

Todd;

Judging from the Dagger archives, it has been published for a little over 2 years and I first heard of it in this email. I regret not knowing about it sooner and I thank you for sending this link. I particularly enjoyed the article on Del Haven, which had it’s hay day a little before my time in Bel Air, although I do remember a white building with a drive through wooden canopy and a railing around the top. My memory of 60 years ago is not as good as it used to be so my recollection of the building may not be accurate and is not at all like the pictures in your article. My time in Bel Air would be about 1950 to 1962 (age 13 to 25) which was during the time the original buildings were still standing. I vaguely remember the cottages that I could see from Moore’s Mill Road but I do not think I ever even drove through Del Haven. Wish I had now. Thanks for the memories and I am sending the link to several friends and relatives who I think will enjoy the Dagger. I will copy you on my email.

Bob

By: Kathi Santora

Kathi Santora — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 15:58:57 +0000

Fascinating. Thanks for a great glimpse into Bel Air’s past!

By: Old Bel Air

Old Bel Air — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 14:27:56 +0000

I am very pleased with the use of the property and cottage across from Del Plaza they keep the site immaculate.
Stopped in over the weekend and purchased some fall decorations.