George Washington Traveled Our Roads

If you happen to be traveling along some of the old roads of Cecil County today, ease off the gas peddle just a little and look around for some cast-iron signs on metal pipes mounted near the rights-of-way.  They’re sort of small, but they have a distinguished looking man from the colonial-era riding atop a horse.  Right below the icon, written in cursive, it says G Washington traveled this road.

We have seen them in Elkton, Charlestown, Perryville and other places along what was once the Post Road, one of the country’s oldest routes.  But they’re elsewhere too.   For example, down in the lower part of the county, you might catch sight of one if you are traveling one of the paths Washington took when he came up across the bay from Annapolis.

 When he traveled up and down the colonies to attend great meetings and to lead armies into battle, it was well before the age of railroads and canals.  On many of his trips, the pace and hardship of travel often caused him to spend the night at the top of the Chesapeake.

 Most of these signs, designed to commemorate George Washington’s frequent travels through here, were put up by the Cecil County Roundtable some years ago.  They are replicas of ones put up throughout the state in 1932 to commemorate the bicentennial of his birth.

A Quick History Lesson on Mounted on Poles

Observe these markers, along with other larger gray and black ones planted near historic points of interest, and you will have a quick history lesson mounted on metal stakes for you and your family on this national holiday.

Here are a few we have noticed.  Not too long ago, on a late autumn afternoon, we stood on the east bank of the Susquehanna River in Perryville, a fading afternoon sun bathing a beautiful two-story fieldstone building, Rodgers Tavern, right near the edge of the water with a warm glow.  In a reflective mood, we contemplated the view, realizing that this was a scene our nation’s first president would easily recognize.  A roadside historical marker nearby said George Washington frequently stopped at the place between 1781 – 1798..

Suddenly, a rumbling sound coming from behind us broke the moment of contemplation as an Amtrak passenger train barreling through brought us back to the 21^st century.

After the engine and cars heading to Philadelphia whizzed through, we followed along, more slowly of course, journeying on an ancient road into Colonial Charlestown.  Surrounded by an environment that would have been comforting to our nation’s hero, we found a sign informing us that he recorded many visits to this colonial port on the North East River.

Continuing on our way east toward the Delaware State Line, staying with Route 7 (Philadelphia Road), which was an ancient route for travelers, we passed through North East and entered Elkton.  There were a number of other signs that caught our attention, including a few on Main Street in Elkton.

In the southeastern corner of Cecil, we found another cluster of signs providing yet more free lessons for this President’s Day.  One in Warwick let us know that the man who would serve as the nation’s first executive visited the village several times.

George Washington Slept, Ate & Traveled Our Roads

Yes, George Washington slept here, ate here, and traveled our roads.  And, if on this national holiday, you’re looking for a fun and educational thing to do, why not go out and look for these and many other signs.  Seeing some of the places where he once walked, right here at home, is a fascinating way to honor the father of our country and learn interesting aspects of the county’s history.

So while you are out and about this week, even if you don’t make a family day trip out of it, keep your eyes open as you zip past those gray and black roadside markers.

For additional photographs, see the album on Cecil County History on Facebook