Bel Alton, MD: Crystal Motel & Restaurant, U. S. Highway 301...This vintage linen postcard captures the Crystal Motel & Restaurant along U. S. Highway 301 in Bel Alton, Maryland , a roadside stop welcoming travelers in the small community of Charles County. For generations, U. S. Route 301 has served as a major northsouth corridor through Southern Maryland, carrying motorists past motels and diners exactly like this one. During the 1930s and 1940s, "linen" postcards reached their golden age, named for the

The property has remained within the same family since its inception

showcasing the unique characteristics of homes in rural settings

The photograph highlights the great stone chimney

small villages

This vintage photograph is part of a larger collection housed at the Library of Congress

The photograph dates back to the mid-20th century

showcases a church in Madison

Johns County during that era

agent of the Lords Proprietors

The image features a carefully arranged space

this image connects viewers to the rich history of Gibsonville and its architectural landscape

Cumberland grew into an important transportation hub