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Old 18th Century Buildings Prepare to Welcome Yet Another Spring

As the sun went down on this beautiful late winter Saturday the Beehive, the ruins of an 18th century commercial complex, caught my attention.  These stone buildings are located at the intersection of Telegraph and Little Elk Creek roads near Fair Hill.  Some long forgotten stonemason and his helpers displayed fine skill in cutting and placing stone to build these sturdy walls, which, although worn by time, weather, and neglect, managed to survive into the 21st century.  A cooper’s or blacksmith’s shop, workers houses and Michael Wallace’s store, made up elements of the complex, according to the Maryland Historical Trust   Dennis Griffith’s Map of Maryland (1794) shows Wallaces on the bank of the Little Elk Creek.  The Elk Creeks Perservation Society is presently conducting an archaeological study on this parcel.

Dennis Griffith Map of Maryland, 1794 — Source: Library of Congress, American Memory

0 Replies to “Old 18th Century Buildings Prepare to Welcome Yet Another Spring”

  1. Love those places. I commute to Delaware and I have always been curious about their history. Thanks for the blog post and nice photos.

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    1. Thanks Robert. We’re pleased to share these brief posts and glad to ehar they catch your attention on your morning commutes to work. Cecil County has so many attractive places that are relics from centuries ago.

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  2. Hey Mike –

    Stopped by The Beehive a number of times during my time in The County. It is an amazing collection of ruins and some super capable stonework, I was particularly impressed by the cantilevered stair in the wall. Thanks for the background information.

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    1. Will:

      Ah that stonemason. Wouldn’t it be great to know who such a skill craftsman was, but that’s probably been lost to history. But it’s also good to hear that you think he’s partcularly skilled. Thanks

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  3. Mike what you put on the behive is more than I have. You mentioned a map with WALLACE’S store near Little Elk. Can you help me find that map????. I still dont have a photo of the beehive in its good years say 1920’s or 30’s. I do have some feelers out. The story in the. Whig 3/22..on kids finding spearpoint, the grandfather called me and the President of the Harford County Arch. Soc and myself are going there to investgate the area.we did our rador ground searching of the ELK LANDING site.on Mon. & Tues. We are looking for remanents of buildings underground( blacksmith shop etc. We went over the area with 3 metal detectors and did find one grape shoot — 1 1/2 ” diam. and a few other things.. We just scratched the ground in hot spots 5-6″ deep. We are setting up a field training school for archeology may25th – june 4th.. Keep up your good work,

    George…

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    1. Thanks George for the info and thanks for so freely sharing your knowledge about archaeology. I sent you a copy of the map by email. It’s Griffith’s Map of Maryland from 1794.

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  4. I DO HAVE A PICTURE OF THE HOUSE IN CENTER WITH MY GRANDFATHER SITTING ON IT APPROX 1910. IT WAS HIS BROTHERS AND SISTER WITH HIM.THEY LIVED THERE FOR ABOUT 20 YEARS. MY GRANDFATHER WAS IN CENSUS THEN IN 1910 AND 1920. THEY WERE SITTING ON FRONT AREA THAT HAS A TREATED DECK NOW.

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    1. Sonny , your photo is the first one I have heard of that has an early date (1910)we are doing some archeology there and old photo’s would be a great help. can you forward me a copy??? 410 398 4124. I will tell you when you call what we are trying to do at the Beehive.. thanks GEORGE……………..

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      1. I think I have a photo from there as well. My grandmother (96 years young) tells me its her father at the Beehive. He lived there and she thinks was born in one of those houses. William Passmore Barnett (1899-1956).

        let me know if you would like a copy and how to email it to you

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  6. Thanks Mike. I also have been doing further digging and from what i can tell My Great-Great Grandfather lived at the Beehive in 1870 before moving back to East Nottingham for 1880 census. his oldest Daughter was a Mary Anne Magaw who ended up being a servant for The Franklin Mackey family in 1880. her Younger Brother George (my g-grandfather) moved back before 1900 were he had two children before 1900. I had discovered a distant cousin (Mary Anne’s G Granddaughter) who lived in Oxford who had pictures of Family reunions held at the Beehive in the 1920’s and earlier. i will try to get to you George.

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