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When WPGC-AM started on an isolated farm on the Morningside / District Heights border, it was not uncommon for clients to visit the station to cut their commercials. Similarly, recording acts of the day often performed live at the station. Problem was, no one could find it!

It was late in 1954 that WPGC owner, Harry Hayman, a former FCC Engineer took on a partner and formed 'WPGC, Inc.' Maxwell Evans Richmond ('Mac') purchased a 50% interest in the station and handled all business affairs from that point forward. Among his first priorities was locating a more desirable place closer to the action of mid 1950's PG County.

He selected office space in a two story building in the then thriving metropolis of Hyattsville, overlooking the wye on Route 1 at 5205 Baltimore Ave. Click images below to see enlargements.

 

 

Looking South along Route 1 in 1936. WPGC would be located on
the second floor of the last building on the left, overlooking the wye.

 

 

Looking North along Route 1 in 1937. WPGC would be located on
the second floor of the first building on the right, adjacent to the wye.

 

 

Looking down at the Route 1 wye in August, 1955 from the
WPGC studios after Hurricanes Connie & Diane, just 5 days apart!

 

 

Street map of Hyattsville in 1940 indicating the location where
the WPGC Studios would be located from late 1954 - early 1956.

 

 

Hyattsville Centennial Park, once the site of the WPGC Studios
& Sales Office at 5205 Baltimore Ave. from late 1954 - early 1956.

 

Hyattsville Centennial Park

When WPGC-AM inherited the former studios of WBUZ-FM in Coral Hills early in 1956, the station moved above the Washington, Marlboro & Annapolis Motor Lines (WM&A) bus repair facility at 4421 Southern Ave., directly across the street from the DC line.

By 1960, the two story building which WPGC had been located in had been torn down, as had the private boarding house next door to it. No evidence has emerged of anything having been built on that property afterwards until the land was later acquired by the City of Hyattsville.

In 1998, the City converted the lot into a Public Park to celebrate Hyattsville turning 100 years old. Combining it with the site of a Texaco Service Station that had once been located on the other side of the building WPGC was in, a sizeable recreation area was created and dedicated in memory of long-time City Clerk, Gertrude McCamley who served in that capacity from 1970 - 1994.

 

 

Mural painted by a local artist on the side of Hyattsville Vacuum Service, adjacent to
Hyattsville Centennial Park on the property that WPGC stood on from late 1954 - early 1956.

 

 

Official bird of the City, created by a local sculptor in Hyattsville Centennial
Park next to where WPGC was located from late 1954 - early 1956.
Mark Lindsay would no doubt approve!

 

 

WPGC was located in a two story building immediately to the right of where
the three 'H's stand today in Hyattsville Centennial Park from late 1954 - early 1956.

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