Page 57 - Rukert - 100th Anniversary

THE FELLS POINT STORY
NORMAN RUKERT SR.’S FIRST BOOK, THE FELLS POINT STORY, WAS PUBLISHED IN 1976. The book was sold in department and bookstores around Maryland and was advertised on local radio.
A businessman’s hobby of collecting old stories about the waterfront grew into a complete history of the dynamic maritime neighborhood. In the prologue, Norman Sr. noted: “Few people realize that the Port of Baltimore, long one of Maryland’s greatest assets, must credit its beginnings to a small community in Baltimore on the east side of the Patapsco River called Fells Point.”
The book begins when the Fell brothers arrived from England in the early 1700s. From there, Norman Sr. takes readers through a number of historical ups and downs, from the early shipbuilding days in the 18th century to
the decline of maritime activity in the 20th century. The book closes with Fells Point in the midst of a renaissance of rediscovery and preservation, including the opening of the Brown’s Wharf Maritime Museum.
Through the historical research, photographs, documents and amusing anecdotes he compiled, Norman Sr. was credited with awakening
the past and contributing to the
renewed interest in Fells Point. He
was optimistic about the future of the historic neighborhood as it transitioned from an industrial cente into a draw for tourists and new residents. Norman Sr. noted: “I may not live to see it, but Fells Point is just starting now to have its finest moment. I’ll be proud if this book has a little to do with it.” He was right on all accounts.
RIGHT: William Donald Schaefer and Norman Sr.
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Rukert’s series of five books between 1976 and 1983, all published by Bodine & Associates, highlighted the rich history and distinctive character of the port that he loved so much. No longer just a maritime businessman, Norman Sr. had established himself as a port historian.
The transition to the 1980s coincided with
the biggest challenge and busiest period in company history up to that point. Demolition
of the Lazaretto Terminal was beginning and Rukert Terminals had to be out of the property
by November 1, 1980. This required a swift and tremendous transition that seemed physically impossible. Rukert Terminals needed to build
a new main office, four warehouses and a new mechanic shop, while transferring cargo, all within an 11-month deadline. First, to accommodate increasing business, the company expanded Building #8 at Pier 5 by adding five bins for the storage of bulk ferro alloys. Meanwhile, the contract to construct four warehouses on the new seven-acre east side property was awarded to J. Rayman and Sons Corporation.
On December 1, 1979, the first structure, (designated Building #10), a bin building capable of storing 12,000 tons of bulk ores, was placed into service. Once Building #11, containing 26,000 square feet, and Building #12, with 40,000 square feet, were completed, transfer of cargo from the condemned warehouses at Lazaretto could begin. This giant task of moving thousands of tons
of various commodities was started under the supervision of Harry Routson Jr. and Rick Wolfe.
With space at a premium, Norm decided to convert the shed over the fumigation chamber at Pier 5 into a mechanic shop by removing the chamber and adding doors and walls to the shed. The heavy steel fumigation chamber from 1946 was no longer needed,
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