Stoney Creek Farm - The Cranes

The Cranes

Minnie and Harvey sold the house on March 30, 1973 to Clarence B. Crane after an approximately 140-year tenure by the Schlessor family.

Crane had been born in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, on September 12, 1914 to Joseph and Teresa Crane, who were immigrants of Germany. He and wife Helene lived on the farm and in Annapolis, Maryland, where Clarence died in March 1982. Helene transferred title to the farm to Richard and Laurie Crane on February 25, 1991. The Cranes operated a commercial nursery and landscaping business on the property for nine years. They were also responsible for the large addition on the rear of the house including the kitchen and the great room.

Six years later, on July 21, 1997, Richard was killed when he crashed his homemade Renegade Spirit aircraft on the property. The FAA report stated, “Witnesses watched as the pilot/owner maneuvered his homebuilt airplane at a low altitude. Some witnesses reported the engine sounds stopped before impact. The airplane's nose dropped down and it descended until ground impact and was destroyed during a post crash fire. Witnesses reported observing the airplane on numerous other occasions performing low level maneuvering. Examination of the airframe and engine did not reveal anomalies. The propeller blades were not damaged.”