In far northwestern Cecil County, two miles below the Mason-Dixon Line, a small, free African American community, Mount Zoar, was settled in the mid-19th century. The village included about a dozen homes, a church, a school, and a cemetery. It thrived for generations, and today, traces of this once-resilient hamlet remain. These include the AME…
North East Firefighter to be added Memorial Wall
The name of a fallen North East Fire Company firefighter who died in the line of duty 55 years ago will be added to the Maryland Fire Rescue Services Memorial Wall of Honor during ceremonies in June 2019. Stewart W. Godwin, 56, died on Dec. 8, 1963, after collapsing at the scene of the plane…
Cecil County Lynchings – A Dark Chapter in the Past
As the Maryland Lynching Memorial Project and the Reginald Lewis Museum are holding a day of remembrance, reflection and reckoning on Oct. 13, 2018, we are resharing some 2007 research we did on Cecil County lynchings. This statewide conference is “meant to address our collective state history of white racial terrorism against African Americans.” the…
Labor Day in Cecil County
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…
St. Patrick’s Bicentennial Celebration Begins
CONOWINGO – Sept 1, 2018 – Over the Labor Day Weekend, St. Patrick’s Chapel marked the beginning of a yearlong celebration of the 200th anniversary of the chapel. In addition to mass, activities included a presentation on the history of the church, tours to discuss the renovation and restoration, and refreshments. Irish Catholic immigrants who…
Cecil County’s Advantages in the Late 1920s
To attract more visitors, industry and residents to the area, the Cecil County Chamber of Commerce issued an attractive booklet touting the advantageous of the county. The Chamber remarked “We have endeavored in the following pages to illustrate, both graphically and verbally, the advantages and facilities that have contributed to make Cecil County the prosperous…
First National Bank of North East Enhances Town in 1904
The growing town of North East took a giant step forward at the end of 1903 when investors created a private bank. This new enterprise gave townspeople a convenient, safe place to put savings, get loans, and store valuable items in safe deposit boxes. Residents needed these services, and in increasing numbers, account holders deposited…
Cecil County History
Cecil County History on Facebook passed a milestone with 6,000 followers on August 21, 2018. Thus, we want to say thanks for stopping by to spend a little on our social media channel. Your visits to this public history space and your participation in conversations there and on our blog make our effort worthwhile. The…
The Last B & O Railroad Stationmaster At Childs
Frederick C. Breitenbach Sr., of Cherry Hill, served as the last B & O station agent at Childs. retiring in 1954. Starting work for the railroad at the Singerly Tower in 1904, he served stints at Childs as a clerk and at Leslie as the stationmaster. The company brought him back to Childs as the…
World War II Refugees from Ukraine Arrived in Cecil County
In the aftermath of World War II in Europe, the world faced an enormous humanitarian crisis. Millions of people had been made homeless by the terrible conflict that had ripped the continent apart. While the struggle’s end neared, President Franklin D. Roosevelt worked to establish the United Nations Relief and Rehabilitation Administration, an international agency…