In the late 1960s, Morris Thomas and a group of men and women from Annapolis and Glen Burnie began to travel to Memorial Stadium in Baltimore, MD in their cars to see the Baltimore Colts. The group became so large that Morris decided to hire a bus for the group to travel to Colts home and away games. Hall’s Motor Coach picked up the group at Morris’ Tavern and also picked up fans at Bill Dotson’s Lounge in Glen Burnie, MD.
After several years of traveling together, the group chose a name and was known as the Colts Booster Club. They hired Joe Smith’s Charter Bus and traveled wherever the Colts were playing. During that time, there were only a few teams in the National Football League (NFL) and their closeness in proximity made travel by bus convenient.
The Colts Booster Club started meeting regularly at Morris Thomas’ Lounge. Later, as its membership grew, they moved their meeting place to the Stanton Community Center.
During their travel to various home and away games, the Booster Club began to interact with other fans who were members of the Council of Colts Corral. After meeting with several members of the Council, Morris Thomas was introduced to H. C. Loudenslager (Mr. Loudy), an officer of the Council of Colts Corral. Morris Thomas expressed the Colts Booster Club’s interest in joining the Council. Morris Thomas and Robert Blake attended a Council meeting. After that meeting, under the direction of Mr. Loudy, Eddie Fisher, a Council officer, met with the Colts Booster Club, explaining the requirements for obtaining a charter under the Council of Colts Corral. Although the process was time-consuming, Morris Thomas’ persistence resulted in the Booster Club becoming chartered as the Colts Corral #35, Incorporated, Annapolis, Maryland.
At a ceremony held at the Carr’s Beach Club in Annapolis, the banner for Colts Corral #35 was presented to the group by Baltimore Colts players Lenny Moore and Sanders Shiver. The Mayor of Annapolis, John C. Apostol, attended the ceremony.
The first Constitution was written and given to each member. The mission of the Colts Corral #35 was to unite in the bonds of good fellowship; to promote and encourage the advancement of professional football in the greater Baltimore area to all interested persons or groups; to mutually benefit its members by season; and to engage in any civic activities or projects that the Corral (or “Council of Baltimore Ravens Roosts) shall designate” with the exception of political activities. All activities of Ravens Roost #35 continue to support the original club’s mission.
The Club is a non-profit organization dedicated to itself and charitable activities. The first officers were as follows: Morris Thomas, President; William Reese, Vice President; Flora Chambers, Secretary; Melissa Stephney, Financial Secretary; Charles Ross, Treasurer; Shirley Brown, Chaplain; and Floyd Phelps, Sergeant-at-Arms. Colts Corral #35 remained intact and continued to support professional football in Baltimore after the Colts relocated to Indianapolis, Indiana. For a period of time, Colts Corral #35 supported the 1983-1985 Baltimore Stars (USFL) and the 1994-1995 Baltimore Stallions (1994 CFL Champions).
The desire to have a professional football team in Baltimore never ceased and in 1996, the late Art Modell, owner of the Cleveland Browns, moved his team to Baltimore, answering the prayers of many football fans. He stated the Baltimore area was strong and dedicated to football. After a public contest to name the team, the name Baltimore Ravens was selected.
On June 19, 1996, the former Council of Colts Corral was renamed the Council of Baltimore Ravens Roosts. Colts Corral #35 became Ravens Roost #35.
The current Ravens Roost #35 continues to uphold the principles of the organization through its many activities and charitable contributions to the community.
A dedicated group of members are season-ticket holders and attend all home games at M&T Bank Stadium. Roost members and friends travel annually to a Baltimore Ravens away game. Some cities visited include Denver, San Diego, Miami, Houston, Dallas Seattle, San Francisco, and Atlanta to name a few. In 2012, some members traveled to New Orleans for the Super Bowl.
Some activities of Colts Corral#35/Ravens Roost #35 include the following:
Our membership continues to grow due to the presence of the Ravens in Baltimore and our desire to be active in the local community.
