Back in the 1930’s-1947 on old route 1, the original road between Baltimore and Washington, D.C., there stood an amazing factory structure for a product called One Spot Flea Killer. It was one of Americas great roadside attractions . This was a massive factory building shaped like a Chow dog, and touted as the world’s largest ‘dog house’.
TIN CONTAINER OF ONE-SPOT FLEA KILLER. I HAVE ONE OF THESE IN MY PERSONAL COLLECTION..IN A BAG. HEAVEN KNOWS WHAT’S IN IT..LOL!
The instructions on the top of the can say to ‘press the sides of the can’ and to cover the hole with adhesive tape and prick with toothpick’. It kills bedbugs, bean beetles, tobacco worms, head lice, crabs, ticks on dogs, cats foxes and poultry.
TOO STRONG FOR CANARIES AS THEY SLEEP WITH HEAD UNDER WING!.
The advertising postcard for One-Spot Flea Killer, features an image of the World’s Largest “Dog House” which was a roadside attraction on Route 1 in Maryland until 1956 or so The card has text all over it, along with measuring tools that cover inches, centimeters, degrees of angles and a way to draw circles.
There is a comic question and check box section that reads “I’m in the Dog House…Again…Yet” and “R U in the Dog House ….Again?….Yet?”
Divided back one cent postcard, has advertising copy on the back that reads “Ever Use One-Spot? It’s called ‘One-Spot’ because it only has to be applied on one spot to kill the fleas all over the animal.
It KILLS ’em. Also kills ants, lice and bedbugs.” Here’s a card that’s useful.
Copyright 1940 by One Spot Co., Elkridge, Md. Printed in USA
There is also a description of the “Dog House”: Of the 20 residences on One-Spot Farm, this 3 story (not including basement) dwelling was sandwiched between concrete road signs 40 ft. high on U. S. Route 1, between Baltimore and Washington, (One-Spot Co., Elkridge, Md.)
Ablaze with 655 feet of neon, it was seen by an average of over 20,000 auto drivers a day. In reading online some recollections of the ONE SPOT building, it is said that children would consider it a special reward or prize to take this route and see the big doghouse. Those were the days!!
BELOW…..A LITTLE BIT ABOUT “ONE SPOT TOWN” WITH WONDERFUL PHOTOS
ABOVE IS AN INTERESTING SNIPPET REGARDING “ONE SPOT TOWN” . I NEED TO DO MORE RESEARCH ON THIS
This is one thing so far that I have never seen or heard of. It’s incredible and I can imagine what a sight it would be, all lit up!!! the research you are doing is fantastic…….great job, and such a treasure for all of us chow lovers, and for dog history enthusiasts everywhere!!!!
Back in the 1940s, we used to take “Sunday drives” to visit my aunt in Sparrows Point, MD and Daddy always slowed down as we were coming up on the “Home of the One Spot Flea Killer” house. It was definitely our favor. I occasionally mention it in conversation and no one ever heard of it! Not surprised. As a kid, driving by it, it definitely seemed huge! Great memory.
Gentsia, I can’t believe I missed your comment. My sincere apologies! What a fantastic memory and I sure wish I could have seen this place for myself. You are so lucky!! My family and I went on Sunday drives as well ….The amazing things we would see along the roads less traveled…what incredible memories!!! Thank you so much for writing!!
I remember it. We used to drive from DC to see my grandparents in Baltimore almost every sunday.
Thank you for posting this. I recall this structure from my youth. I would like to know it’s exact location on Washington Blvd. (what is on the site today). Any help is appreciated!
Hello Karen! So glad you like this story about One Spot Town. I just now added 2 more photos from the Library of Congress that I’ve been meaning to post. Thanks for the reminder!!! Last I heard the location is currently a parking lot for I believe a farm equipment or similar warehouse. I’ll see what I can find. The one photo of the road leading to One Spot town may give a clue. I also found this online…if that grocery store is still around they would surely know where the doghouse stood. Let me know if you find out anything!!
“Gone is the dog-shaped building (“One Spot Flea Killer”) in Jessup, but surviving are the “One Spot Grocery” named after it”
Today it’s 2024 but I’ll still reply. I called the Howard County Historical Society and they gave me the address. Of course, the dog was torn down November 1969. Here is the site today using Google Street View.
https://www.google.com/maps/@39.1658507,-76.7907573,3a,68.6y,327.49h,94.87t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sb3V9KK6KrARa0F-6dFdIfg!2e0!7i16384!8i8192?authuser=0&coh=205409&entry=ttu&g_ep=EgoyMDI0MDkyOS4wIKXMDSoASAFQAw%3D%3D
Please help me validate a memory: I recall being about 5 to possibly 10 years old, travel with my parents down Route 1 from Baltimore to visit my aunt who lived in DC.
This would be in the time frame of 1952-1957. I clearly remember the One-Spot building, but I also remember a red light where the dog’s eyes were. Does anyone else recall this, or Is my memory mixing something up? Thanks!!
Hello Ira! Thank you so much for writing. I wish I could say I have seen that structure in person but in my research for the article, based on firsthand accounts, the Chow dog house was illuminated at night, so it could very well be that the eyes lit up too. Oh how I wish that dog house was still there. So many of our wonderful roadside “memories” have given way to factory parking lots etc.
My family still lives in “One Spot”. You can tell if someone is an “old-timer” when you mention that you live in “One Spot” they immediately know where you live. There is still one person that I know that is still living who worked at the flea killer factory. Great research. Thanks for sharing.
Wow Sandy, you are the first person I have had contact with who lives in the area!! You wouldn’t happen to have any photo of the building or information about the area you would like to share . Could you tell me what currently is in the place where the factory stood? I am just amazed!! Thank you so much for commenting!
I miss the old dog. Always thought it would be there forever so I never took a picture of it. Thanks for the pictures
Although the One Spot Flea Killer container advertised the company’s mailing address as Elkridge, it’s important to realize that it was actually located in what today is Jessup, the community that lies just south of Elkridge on Route 1. One Spot Heights is still a property designation associated with homes located along Washington Blvd in Jessup, just south of Routes 1 and 175, even though there is no longer a One Spot Grocery or the well remembered Chow.
Thank you so very much for the information Elaine!! Its amazing how the story behind a landmark so large could get lost if it were not like people like you who can keep the history alive. I very much appreciate the additional facts and will add them to this post (credited to you). ~Sandra
I lived in Prince George’s County, MD and drove past the one-Spot factory many times. I am not sure when it was demolished, but I would guess in the late 50’s or early 60’s. It is a shame it was not kept as a historical landmark. I am glad you have picture. I always regretted not taking any.
Thank you so very much Ray for stopping by the read the article and for your comments! We always think things will last forever don’t we? I am really surprised how few photos of ONE SPOT dog is out there.
Last time I saw this, I was but a child about age 7. Used to ride in the car with my mom, and we’d pass this building on the way to visit my late grand-mom in a rest home, not far off this road. never forgot it. I’m age 66 now, so you know how long ago this was.
Hello again Anne, Yes I was going over the snippets and dates again and one of my resources said it closed in the late 1940’s but then I found newspaper advertisements dated the mid 1950’s , which goes along with your reporting. I will change that 1940’s date to reflect my later findings. Thank you!!
BTW, noting the dates, ‘attraction on Route 1 in Maryland until the 1947… ‘ I was born in 1951, so it had to be there after this.
I lived on Mission Road off US 1 south of One Spot from 1951-1956 and the “dog” was there then. We would pass it on the way to visit family in Catonsville.
I would like to know more about “One Spot.” Thanks for the info on this site. I wrote an article about the fire at the company in 1955. Its on my timeline. January 2014. You can also see it on a FB group, “I grew up in Brooklyn Park, MD.”
I would say the building was there until at least 1960, maybe 1962. When our Boy Scout troop went camping in Patapsco State Park, this was the landmark that told us we were almost there. It was in terrible shape, and probably abandoned. But still standing.
Thank you so much John for the feedback. I sure wish I could have seen it in person. How wonderful you had that opportunity!
Way back in the 40’s or early 50’s I met the owners of One Spot Flea Killer at an American Veternary Medical Association Convention that had invited my father to speak at their meeting. I have always heard good things about their product. It is a shame it is no longer manufactured.
Wow there are so many awesome comments like yours about people who have some kind of connection whether direct or indirect, to this factory. Thank you so very much Fred for sharing this !!!!
Thanks for the images. I remember, as child in the 1950s seeing this as my mother would take us on our regular shopping trip from Washington to the Montgomery Ward store in Baltimore.
How wonderful Edouard that you got to see this roadside attraction in person. What a unique building it was!
I lived in the “Dog house” when I was about 3 years old. We moved because the place was condemned It was great to see the old pictures.
I forgot to say, that was in the early 1950’s.
Oh my goodness Naomi, that is so cool!!! Was it still a factory when you were living there do you know? Sandra Miller admin
No, it was a big vacant building.
Very interesting…I heard a huge fire burnt it down in the early 1960s. It must have sat vacant for a while after you left. What a unique story you have. Thank you!!
I grew up in Jessup MD. Mr. Simpson and his wife were our Landlords. That was in the late 50s, and early 60s. Mr. Simpson was still selling One-Spot-Flea Killer even then. We did get to go inside the Chow House, I remember looking out of the windows. and later passing it when we drove to Laurel MD. Mr. Simpson bought a Hog Farm on what is now known as Wigley Ave. When we moved there it was just a dirt road and below it a Hog Farm. We only knew it as Simpson’s Farm. We helped with plucking of Chickens and Pheasants. The Simpsons lived in the main house, and the hired help in a bunkhouse across from it. My Dad later rented a house and later an Apt from Mrs. Simpson until the 80s. The Main house was converted into 3 Apts. It had beautiful woodwork and all of us kids slid down the winding hand banisters many times. Mr. Simpson also had us going out into his fields to catch Crickets for him. He never did explain what he planned to do with them. He just said they were for his new business he was starting. We did try his One- Spot -Flea Killer on our Dogs, he gave us a can along with strict instructions on it’s use. The Hog Farm burned down somewhere in the late 60s. Mr. and Mr. Simpson still lived there after the fire. It did not touch the Main house or the main Bunkhouse. The property was recently sold and my Sister sent me this link. https://tour.truplace.com/property/2482/97499/
I have a photo that either I took or my dad took sometime in the late 50s or early 6os.
https://us.v-cdn.net/6029383/uploads/editor/25/759jqqtvrhga.jpg