Calvert, an Old Village near the Mason Dixon Line

Calvert is one of the most interesting villages in Cecil County, its history extending far back time. Originally known as Brick Meeting House, it stands on land granted by William Penn. Once the Mason-Dixon Line settled the boundary dispute between Maryland and Pennsylvania it was firmly established that the community was in Maryland. Because it was midway on the old Baltimore-Philadelphia Pike, Brick Meeting was frequently visited by travelers.

Sometime between 1878 to 1880, the post office requested that the village drop the name Brick Meeting and it became known as Calvert.

In 1893, the North East newspaper, the Cecil Star, reported that Calvert was a busy little village. It supported two stores, a blacksmith and wheelwright shop, two hotels, and two grist mills. The population of the village was 125 and the postmaster was J. E. Crothers, who also kept a general store. The other merchant was John P. Simpers.

Dates From Calvert’s Past

* In 1847 James Trimble gave the land to create Rosebank Cemetery, which was the name of his farm.

* In 1890, Trinity African Methodist Episcopal Church leased 1/2 acre of ground for 99-years from the England family and erected a house of worship.

* The foundation for the new M.E. Church at Calvert be be called Rosebank Methodist Episcopal Church was being commenced the week of May 20, 1891 and the church was dedicated on Oct. 25, 1891. The Church was dedicated in the presence of a large congregation and ministers of both the Methodist and Presbyterian Churches of the vicinity. Rev. George E. Reed, the president of Dickinson College preached the dedicatory sermon. In the evening a handsome silver communion service was presented by the Calvert W.C.T.U. through Mrs. J. R. Milligan of Zion . (Oxford Press).

The Calvert Agricultural High School opened on Nov. 5, 1906.

* In 1908 the post office discontinued the post office at Calvert, the rural route having replaced the village post office.

After the Calvert Agricultural High School burned to the ground in Feb. 1936, the Board of Education announced plans for a new school on the site.  It was going to contain ten rooms for both the elementary and high school and cost about $70,000. An annex would have an auditorium for school and community. There were also rooms for general science, manual training, and domestic science. Colonial architecture would be used, for the brick building with a slate roof. (Oxford Press, Feb. 26, 1936)

* In 1958, the school was changed over to an elementary school and pupils from the upper grades were bused to Rising Sun.

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Also of Interest, Zion, a 19th Century Village

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Additional Sources:

Cecil County Maryland: A Study in Local History by Alice Miller (1949)

Cecil County Bicentennial Booklet (1976)