By JOHN ANDERSON
The majestic entrance to the Allegany County Courthouse is donned by a large wreath each year.
In the 1960’s, the tradition of the wreath was hung by Fredrick Grusendorf of Angelica, who worked for the Allegany County Sheriff’s Office (the photo was from 1968). He worked from 1968 to 1974 as a turnkey, someone in charge of the jail and cells.
His son, Fredrick Grusendorf III, worked for the sheriff’s office for 25 years, retiring in 1999.
Sgt. Shawn Grusendorf, who has also had a long career with the the Allegany County Sheriff’s Department, is the grandson and son of Fred II and Fred III. He found the old newspaper clipping of his grandfather.
“I had some family and friends say ‘you should recreate that’ so I went out and bought the wreath,” Shawn said.
As he climbed the ladder on the courthouse steps, family took photos, including a pretty proud dad! The family posed for photos.
There is probably a good chance we won’t have to wait another 55 years for this Grusendorf tradition to continue.
