Window on Cecil County's Past

In the northwestern corner of Cecil County, just two miles south of the Mason-Dixon Line, stands Mount Zoar, a free African American community established in the mid-19th century.  At its peak, the village contained about a dozen homes, a church, a school, and a cemetery. For generations, it thrived as a place of resilience, faith,…

Acquisition marks major milestone in preserving a cherished cultural landmark A Press Release from the Town Elkton, MD — The Town of Elkton is proud to announce the official acquisition of the historic Holly Hall property, a long-anticipated milestone in the Town’s efforts to protect, preserve and celebrate its cultural heritage. The acquisition was made possible…

Holly Hall, one of four buildings in Elkton listed on the National Register of Historic Properties, was recently purchased by the Town of Elkton. It was built by James Sewall around 1810, according to the Maryland Historical Trust. It was erected on land confiscated from Robert Alexander, a Tory sympathizer during the American Revolution. About…

LESLIE — Cecil County once had many thriving little villages, each with its own distinctive characteristics and history. One such village, Leslie, recently caught our attention. Nestled alongside North East Road (Route 272), near where the Holiday Inn stands today, Leslie was once a stop on the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad. The village took its…

Just a few miles outside Earleville stood a modest country schoolhouse, the Fingerboard School. It first opened its doors before the Civil War, thanks to Stephen H. Ford, who donated land for what was initially called the Ford School, according to journalist Dot Clark in the Cecil Whig. Later, people started calling it the Fingerboard…

Cecil County Government Press Release CHESAPEAKE CITY — May 13, 2025 — The National Park Service announced Monday that St. Augustine Church has been officially designated a National Underground Railroad Network to Freedom site, honoring its role in the complex and courageous fight for freedom during the American Revolution. In the late summer of 1777, as…

In the era before modern consolidated schools were constructed in Cecil County, most small communities had a school serving youngsters from within a few miles of the village or hamlet. Thus, there were several dozen all across the county, serving practically every hamlet and village. Since this was the era of segregation and Jim Crow,…

In the late 19th century, employment opportunities for women were largely confined to roles such as domestic work, teaching, and a few other low-paying, socially acceptable occupations.  Yet, trailblazers emerged, carving out spaces for themselves in traditionally male-dominated fields. Among these were two remarkable, pioneering women who worked as tower operators for the railroad.  …

CHESAPEAKE CITY—MARCH 1, 2025— On a Saturday evening at the start of March, a large group of family and friends gathered at Schaefer’s Canal House to celebrate the 95th birthday of Viola Leona Hammond Wright, an extraordinary woman whose life exemplifies dedication and service.  A true trailblazer, Mrs. Wright began her educational journey at the…

It was Christmas night, and members of Cecil Post 15 of the American Legion in Elkton were home enjoying the holiday. Suddenly, in one Legionnaires’ home, the phone rang. “Hospital Calling!” the voice on the line said. “There’s been a serious automobile accident near Rising Sun,” the operator urgently blurted out. “If we can get…