Once the sun went down in Elkton in the early 1860s, the only feeble light that was available came from flickering candles or the dim glow of kerosene lamps. But all of that changed dramatically during the Civil War.
In May 1863, the John D. Baker Company of Baltimore purchased a lot from Fredus Aldridge for $175.1 This site, located off Howard Street–where the Maryland Circuit Court parking is today–became the center of construction activity as workers erected a manufacturing plant on Gashouse Alley. They also dug up streets to lay down distribution pipes.
With the construction complete, Elkton was illuminated by gas for the first time on Thursday, October 1, 1863. This milestone marked a new era in the town’s history, prompting the Cecil Democrat to declare, “This is one step more in the progressive career of our town.”2,3
This plant operated from 1863 until the end of the 1920s. In 1929, Elkton experienced another change when a pipeline from Wilmington brought gas to the town. That arrangement continued until 1959, when Elkton gained access to natural gas.
The introduction of gas lighting not only transformed Elkton’s nights but also played a crucial role in its development.
