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Anyone involved in doing local research is aware of how helpful old newspapers are for mining information on genealogy and history.  These sources provide some of the most fascinating insights while digging into the region’s past for each issue thoroughly chronicled the community, recording exactly what happened. 

Thousands of these dusty, time worn, old newspapers were published here beginning in 1823.  In addition to the Cecil Whig, titles included serials such as the Midland Journal of Rising Sun, the Chesapeake Chesapike of Chesapeake City, the Perryville Record, the Port Deposit Rock, and the Cecil Star of North East.  In addition to the Whig, Elkton had the Cecil County News, the Appeal and the Cecil Democrat as well as a dozen of smaller titles.  

This week-by-week record of happenings, all from a Cecil County perspective, is invaluable since a newspaper with a dateline from another century is a voice from another time.  Fortunately, there were over 40 of these voices here.  All the incorporated towns, except Charlestown and Cecilton, had one or more commercial publications.  

When you’re researching something don’t just rummage through the Elkton papers for the other small town weeklies covered their beat thoroughly in their day, producing a four page broadsheet full of local content about Rising, Perryville, North East or other towns.  Also don’t forget the weeklies from other nearby points.  Those publications often covered corners of the county more systematically than the distant papers in the county-seat.  One example is the Middletown Transcript, which had lots of content from the first election district around  Cecilton, Warwick, Earleville and other places south of the canal.  It is available at the Corbitt Calloway Library in Odessa. 

The Oxford Press is particularly important as it covers northern Cecil County and its smaller villages in detail with weekly columns filled with social happenings and smaller news pieces.  Special correspondents wrote in from Sylmar, Liberty Grove, Rowlandsville, Calvert, Port Deposit, Rising Sun, Fair Hill and other villages, making sure virtually nothing was missed.   But in addition to the village social goings on, there’s a strong weekly column of local news from south of the Mason Dixon Line.  I find that especially helpful when investigating political topics or sensitive matters since the distant paper may cover the issue more openly.  This product is available at the Oxford Library from 1866 to 1970s and its local Cecil County news content is particularly strong. 

Finally, don’t forget the Havre de Grace Record.  That broadsheet covers the Perryville, Port Deposit and Susquehanna areas carefully and it is available at the Historical Society. 

Mark your calendars for October 23 & 24 since “The British are coming to Cecil County…..Again.” Mount Harmon is hosting a full-scale Revolutionary War Re-enactment and Colonial Festival featuring over 200 re-enactors and an array of colonial craft vendors and activities for our members and the public to enjoy.

Each day will feature an exciting array of military skirmishes, tactical demonstrations and drills, colonial crafts, and much more. Colonial vendors, food, music, nature trails, manor house tours and of course a full fledged Revolutionary War encampment of both British and “Rebels” (the good guys, continental and militia groups) will be at hand. Don’t miss your chance to see history come to life.

Click her for more details and a full schedule of events.

More than a dozen Cecil County stories are featured in Ed Okonowicz’s newest book, “The Big Book of Maryland Ghost Stories.” Published by Stackpole Books, the 417-page, hardbound volume includes more than 150 ghost stories from throughout the state of Maryland.

Divided into six sections, the book features stories from every county throughout the state, as well as a number of legends set in Baltimore and Annapolis. Okonowicz, a county resident, said the strong connection between history and folklore is present in a large number of tales.

While stories set in old mansions and historic sites were expected, some of the more unusual tales involve a headless “horse,” a court case with a message from a ghostly witness, and “dancing” spirits that made regular visits to a rural home along the Mason-Dixon Line. The incidents retold in the book include both historic and contemporary reports. And while Cecil County’s spirited activity is well represented, several inns in nearby Havre de Grace, plus rural legends in nearby Harford County, also command significant space.

Although old newspapers and documents are the basis for the older tales, interviews provided stories with more personal details. “”I talked to a lot of people who shared some rather amazing experiences,” Okonowicz said. “They shared their encounters in regular houses you and I pass by every day, and several said they never imagined such unexplained events would happen to them. But when they found out someone had been murdered in the house, or it was built over an abandoned cemetery, they were actually pleased. Because those facts offered a possible reason for the strange incidents.”

The hardbound book, at $24.95, is available at Kathy’s Corner Store in North East, Md., on amazon.com or contact the author at edo@mystandlace.com

Since the end of World War II, there have been many changes in the county, but one of the most dramatic has been in the agrarian nature of our way of life here.  Not so long ago, farming dominated the rural landscape outside the municipalities.  While many acres are still harvested, it’s no longer like it was just a few decades ago for that was a time when many residents earned their living directly from agriculture. 

What had us thinking about this on a Sunny early autumn Saturday afternoon as the temperature neared an unseasonable 90 degrees?  Near the Mason Dixon Line, in the vicinity of Sylmar and Little New York roads, an Amish farmer was harvesting hay, in a way that would have been familiar to earlier generations of local farmers.  Back in that former era as cooler temperatures and turning leaves signaled fall’s arrival, hands harvested the late season crops.

It was a common scene, but in the 21^st century, when often see scattered housing developments sprouting up out of those old fertile fields in place of corn, it’s just one of many ways the county is changing.  Economic conditions and family situations have made the viability of making a living off the land less possible.  But on this late September weekend it was a pleasant view for a passing motorist, enjoying the county’s rural landscape.    

For decades, there have been stories about ghosts haunting the jail on North Street in Elkton.  Most were sort of vague as people reported out-of-place creaking noises, foot-steps in unoccupied hallways ways, and things like that.  But about two years ago a person whom I know to be reliable came to me with astonishing, never before told story about spectral sightings and voices of jailbirds of long ago inside those strong fortress-like walls.  While I don’t know what she saw and heard, she experienced something that frightened her.

What more likely spot for spirits than a place filled with more than century of tragedy, a long obsolete lockup that managed to outlive its usefulness as a the county pen in just 113-years. In this 19^th century structure a sheriff was killed in the line of duty, five people spent their last night’s on earth before meeting the executioner and many a hardened criminal passed their days behind that heavy iron-barred door.

It’s an interesting, previously undocumented story of the type that I’ve never done before in the Oct/Nov. issue of Maryland life.  If you’re interested in these sorts of pieces, pick-up a print copy and check out the Ghost of Prisoners Past: Spectral Sightings at the Cecil County Jail in Maryland Life.

For more on haunting the jail

They say there are ghosts in the jail

GUEST SPEAKER – DR. RALPH ESHELMAN

“WAR OF 1812 IN THE CHESAPEAKE”

and A LIVELY SKIT BY KITTY KNIGHT

The October Dinner Meeting of the Historical Society of Cecil County will be held on Monday, October 18, 2010 at 6:00 P.M. at the Chesapeake Inn Banquet Room, 605 2nd Street, Chesapeake City. The guest speaker will be Dr. Ralph Eshelman who has recently had the book “War of 1812 in the Chesapeake” published by Johns Hopkins University. Dr. Eshelman spent years investigating sites connected with the conflict in Maryland so as the bicentennial of this chapter of our past approaches, we are pleased to have the opportunity to hear this distinguished historian. His presentation will focus on the campaign in Maryland and our general area. “No state has more battlefields, graves or sites associated with the War,” he noted in a Washington College lecture. “Elkton and St. Michaels share the distinction of turning the British back twice.” 

Dr. Eshelman was the director of the Calvert Marine Museum in Maryland from 1974 to 1990. In 1974 he received his Ph.D. in geology and vertebrate paleontology from the University of Michigan. He is currently a research associate at the National Museum of Natural History, Smithsonian Institution. He is widely published and lectures on maritime and military history, popular exploration and paleontology. Also, he served as a consulting historian on the War of 1812 on the Chesapeake for the Maryland Historical Trust and the National Park Service. 

Dr. Eshelman will have his book for sale at the special discounted price of $60.00 and will be happy to autograph your copy. He accepts cash or check. 

The cost of the dinner is $30.00 per person for members and $35.00 per person for non-members. You may select between Crab Cake or Chicken Marsala. Your meal will include salad, coffee or tea and dessert. 

To attend please send your check to Paula Newton, HSCC, 135 E. Main St., Elkton, MD 21921. Please make your check payable to the Historical Society of Cecil County. The deadline for reservations is October 8, 2010. This is a catered dinner making it impossible for us to take late reservations or walk-ins. If you have any questions, please call the Historical Society at 410-398-1790. In your reservation be sure to indicate your meal choice and include a telephone number.

Port Deposit Chamber of Commerce Press Release —

September 1, 2010, Historic Port Deposit, MD – The Port Deposit Chamber of Commerce is proud to announce a brand new event coming to Marina Park in historic Port Deposit on Saturday, October 16 from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m – Smokin’ on the River Port-B-Q.

To kickoff the event, festivities start Friday night (October 15) in the center of town with a car show and music.  Cars will be parked in the post office parking lot, near the Susky River Grille and up along Tome Highway. 

Smokin’ on the River is a tailgate style bbq competition for those who think they make the best backyard BBQ around! BBQ contestants are limited to 50, registration fee is only $50 and ribs are provided.  Cash prizes and trophies will be awarded.  Rules and regulations will follow those of the Kansas City BBQ Society.

For those who prefer not to cook, they can come out to enjoy other free festivities.  There will be crafters, vendors, live music and beer garden to enjoy.  Local restaurants will be onsite providing food for sale to enjoy during the event. 

Come spend a day on the beautiful Susquehanna River in historic Port Deposit, Maryland!

The mission of the Port Deposit Chamber of Commerce is to promote economic opportunity through business and community leadership and to enhance the social and civic environment of Port Deposit and surrounds. The mission of the Port Deposit Chamber of Commerce is to promote economic opportunity through business and community leadership and to enhance the social and civic environment of Port Deposit and surrounds.  To accomplish its mission, the Chamber relies on the efforts of our members, our Board of Directors, the Town Council, volunteers, and the generosity of companies who sponsor our events.

For more registration, vendor or event information, please contact Deidre Garoutte of

Plan Ahead Events at 410-287-0123.

Horses wait patiently outside Allee & Shepherd in the center of Rising Sun about 1911.  The postcard photographer was Ed Herberner of Newark and the card was mailed on Nov. 14, 1911.

Here’s  another opportunity to enjoy Port Deposit.  On Saturday, Sept. 18th the old town square is going to come alive while the folk-bluegrass duo, Cold Springs Road, performs as dusk settles on the historic river town.  There’s going to be lots of fun, food and special drinks available from vendors and outlets around town.  The event is sponsored by the Port Deposit Chamber of Commerce.  We’ve got it on our calendar as Port Deposit becomes one of our favorite destination spots.  Adding these sorts of entertainment opportunities strengthens a Main Street as a community pulls together to support its small businesses while drawing on cultural and natural resources.  Congratulations to Port Deposit and the local chamber for continuing to add these types of products. 

Over the past few years, we’ve carefully watched as Port Deposit has become a regional destination spot for fine dining.  As a result we often head that way to enjoy exceptional meals coupled with the ambiance of an attractive historic river town that is ideal for sidewalk and riverside dining, as well as strolling.  But just when we thought one of our favorite towns couldn’t get any better, along comes another establishment to complement the cluster of other fine dining spots one has to consider.    

The Hidden Bean opened in a 19^th century building on the historic town square (8 South Main Street), about two weeks ago.   The owners, Pat & Kevin, discovered this attractive riverside community several years ago, and soon decided to locate the Hidden Bean right here in Cecil County.  We first met Kevin while he was working on rehabbing another historic residential structure on Main Street so we were pleased to find him busy on the cafe up the street. 

The Hidden Bean, a java joint, specializes in coffee, muffins, and bagels for the morning trade and a creative mid-day menu for lunchtime.  That’s what we’ve checked out several times since they opened, while enjoying dining outside on the town square on these comfortable sunny days.   There are tasty Quiches, Greek Salads that are unmatched in the county, and some of the finest, creative sandwiches this side of the Susquehanna.  A house specialty is a tasty, toasted Cuban sandwich, a Miami favorite, but we also find the Pastrami to be the best around.  Oh there are plenty of desserts so we checked out the Chocolate Cheesecake.  It was unbelievable.  

Pat and Kevin have worked hard to make the Hidden Bean the kind of coffee café where customers will become regulars and want to linger.  This premium coffee-house is a nice addition and adds another Port spot that is now on our regular list since we’ve discovered such tempting offerings accompanied with attentive service.  Why don’t you head down to the town square in Port soon and check out this cozy little spot for yourself?

It’s great to see the revitalization that is going on in this old Susquehanna River town as new business that pull in visitors from a wide region locate here.  It certainly caused us to become Port Deposit regulars in recent years.

 Check out this PreservationNation Photo site on flicker for another photo of the Hidden Bean and it’s owners.  They’re open until 3 p.m. 7 days a week.  Here’s their phone number if you need more information 410-378-3783.