Eleanor Virginia Lakin was born in July 3, 1937 in Boonsboro. She grew up at 331 S. Main Street. Her Lakin ancestors came to this region in the 17th century, settling in Jefferson, Maryland.
Her great-grandfather, Abraham Lakin, owned a dental practice in the 1850s at the corner of Lakin Avenue, the street named after him. Her grandfather, Robert Thompson Lakin, was a dentist who built the home at 327 N. Main Street in Boonsboro as a wedding gift for her grandmother.
Colonel Ninian Beall, ancestor of Eleanor Lakin. Photo from Historical Society of Washington, DC.
Her parents were Marjorie Beall Lakin and Robert Elwood Lakin. On her mom’s side, the Beall family is well known. Her ancestor Colonel Ninian Beall is known by some as the founder of Georgetown. Source They owned a great deal of land and had business operations in this area as well, including being in business with an iron furnace in Sharpsburg.
Today, Eleanor lives on Lakin Ave and while Lakins did not build the little house, the family has long been associated with it. The house was rented by a distant relative, purchased by Eleanor’s great-aunt Virginia Beall as a retirement home in 1952, and then remained in the family after her death. Eleanor’s sister, Pat, and her family lived there for thirteen years, and Eleanor has been there ever since. Source
Give a listen to some of her memories about growing up in Boonsboro – going to Mrs. Barr’s ice cream shop and sitting at the counter with her friends at Zimmerman’s, as well as what it was like becoming one of the very first women to become an architect in Maryland.
Audio Clips
Pick audio clips of Eleanor’s memories below OR just continue listening as each clip will play one after another.
