Cecil County HIstory on Facebook passed a new milestone on January 2, 2019 — 7,000 likes on Facebook. The mission of this page is to inspire curiosity, enjoyment, and understanding of the county’s past. Cecil County History on Facebook recently passed a new milestone, 7,000 likes. As the social media channels notes, this milestone, we…
Cecilton Chronicles by Mary Haggerty
Ceciiton: Chronicles of a Small Town in Rural America is a wonderful history written by Mary Haggerty in 1991. In this informative book, Mary produced a collection of memories from “people who have lived a lifetime in or near Cecilton. “It is a collection of stories about things which took place in a small town….
Rising Sun — A New Day is Dawning
New Day in Rising Sun — ” Three centuries ago, my maternal ancestors – farmers from England, Scotland, and Ireland – sailed up the Chesapeake Bay and settled in Cecil County, Maryland. I am the 10th generation born and raised in that neck of the bay. “ “My forefathers – the Crothers, Ewings, Rutters, and…
Cecil County Map – 1794
The late 18th century Cecil County Map is part of Dennis Griffith’s much larger product produced for the General Assembly in 1794. The detailed map was a remarkable achievement for its time and is often considered the first official state map of Maryland. As was common practice at the time, this portable map was divided…
Remembering Rebecca Phillips, a Preservationist and Civic Leader
CHARLESTOWN, Dec. 22, 2018 — Saturday morning, as gusty winter winds swept across the North East River and dark broken clouds filled the sky they laid Rebecca Phillips to rest at St. Johns United Methodist Church where family and friends gathered to bid farewell. Born in 1922 when Warren G. Harding was president, the popular…
Preserving the Past in Charlestown
Originally Published Dec. 8, 2016 Charlestown, a charming place nestled on the shore of the North East River, has a fascinating past. Its surviving centuries old structures make it distinctive at a time when big-box outlets and convenience stores dominate the landscape. But here, a stroll along colonial pathways reveals a distinctive community, which…
J. J Newberry Department Store Brought Shoppers to Elkton
J. J. Newberry Store in Elkton — This report, which has been prepared for Main Street Renaissance, LLC examines the past of a commercial property in downtown Elkton, 106 E. Main Street. It consists of a brief overview of Elkton’s formative years, an examination of extant records, a timeline, and an analysis of the findings….
Route 40 Opens in Cecil County
Maryland-Delaware Line, Between Glasgow and Elkton — By June 1941, the final segment of the “Philadelphia Road,” the new dual highway designated as Route 40, was completed. All along the 47-mile road, from Baltimore to the Mason Dixon Line, portions of the highway had opened as work was completed. But with the completion of this…
Tokens for Your Work on the C & D Canal
As preparations got underway early in 1824 to start building the C & D Canal, John Randel, Jr., the engineer who received the contract to construct the eastern half of the waterway advertised in Wilmington newspapers for 300 carts with horses and 500 men not addicted to profanity or intemperance. He promised to pay liberal…
St. Augustine School
ST. AUGUSTINE SCHOOL — A quiet country intersection south of Chesapeake City once hummed with activity during the school year. But today, only an occasional passing vehicle interrupts the sounds of nature in an area surrounded by horse farms and fields. A school was built here by John Conrey, who received a contract of $488…