Labor Day became a federal holiday in 1894. This occasion to honor the contributions of the working person to the nation, also quickly became a day of relaxation and enjoyment, as the warm days of the summer season quickly drew to a close. All over Cecil County Labor Day was a time to relax, enjoy picnics, watch local ballgames, and honor working people.
The idea of having this federal holiday took a little getting used to. When September 5, 1898 rolled around, it might have been just a plain old Monday, except that the banks were closed and many people didn’t seem to realize just why they were closed (Cecil Whig, Sept. 10, 1898). “All day long depositors strolled up the steps of the bank, stopped, and seemed surprised when they found the door closed. They gathered in small groups and discussed the matter, and when they were told that it was Labor Day they went away shaking their heads and trying to call why Labor Day was instituted,” the paper noted (Cecil Whig, Sept. 10, 1898).
Port Herman, however, wasn’t going to miss a summer holiday. The year before the Great War (1916) disrupted life, a grand Labor Day observance, including the American Mechanics raising a flag and conducting a patriotic program at the new school. It had been enlarged to accommodate the increasing population of the area. After the celebration, everyone marched over to the church where a lawn party was held. The day included special speakers, patriotic songs by school children, and an inspection of the school, which had been greatly enlarged and improved to take care of the increasing population of the section. After the celebration, everyone marched to the church where the ladies of the church held a lawn party that afternoon and evening. Lunch and refreshments were on sale for the benefit of the new church (Cecil Whig, Sept. 2, 1916
In Port Deposit in 1894, people availed themselves of the pleasure of a trip to Happy Valley on Labor Day, for a celebration under the auspices of the Iron Molders Union of Port Deposit.
For more on Labor Day in Cecil County see
On Labor Day, Remembering Those Who Died Building the Conowingo Dam
Mike
I notice you mentioned Happy Valley, Due you have and history on this. Growing up in Colora MD born 1950 i remember my sisters going to this place. My great great grandfather was the sheriff in Elkton .You did a section on him awhile back.Great job, I get great pleasure reading your posts. I am living in Palm Coast FL now this keeps me connected to my pass.
Rick, I don’t, but let me keep an eye out for something and if I run across it, I’ll pass it on. Thanks for following the blog.
Richard, we haven’t posted too much on that, but we’ll; see if we can get a short piece together.