The Big Elk Creek in Elkton, winding its way along what was once the town’s southern border, is commonly associated with perennial flooding these days. But once upon a time this waterway nurtured and strengthened the development of the county seat as the place bustled as a center for water transportation. During the 19th century,…
They Say There Are Ghosts in the Old Cecil County Jail
Although it’s been unused as a jail for over a quarter of a century, an inmate or two might still linger inside the unoccupied 19th-century Jail on North Street in Elkton. If they do, they are ghostly inhabitants since prisoners moved out of the aging lockup under the cover of midnight darkness in 1984. Or…
The Old Perryville Railroad Station Still Bustles With Activity As Conductors Shout All Aboard and Fast Acela’s Rush Past
The old P.W. & B. Perryville Railroad Station looks rather fine on a late summer day as an Amtrak Acela rushes past. Built in 1904, the station continues serving commuters as about 14 Marc trains chug into the station each today and the conductors shout all aboard. Each morning the parking lots fill, and the…
Historical Society Digitizes Cecil County Civil War Bounty Payment Ledger
One of our library volunteers, Steve Higham, has created a new online research resource to help those studying family and local history during the Civil War. Here is Steve’s Description of the manuscript he worked with over the summer. “In the Civil War, the Federal government established quotas for each state as to the number of required enlistments….
Harvest Moon Rising Over the C & D Canal
With autumn set to arrive in a few days, the bright harvest moon of September illuminated Chesapeake City and the C & D Canal this evening.
The Flickr Commons Has Old Maryland Postcards
As a result of developing research materials for centuries many of the nation’s largest public libraries have vast collections of photographs and postcards from earlier times. These items, which are helpful to those digging into the past, have always been available, safely preserved and stored away for visiting patrons. But now access is greatly enhanced…
Vietnam Mailbag at the Rising Sun Library Sept. 17th
Press Release – Cecil County Public Library A multimedia program by journalist Nancy Lynch and Vietnam Veteran Rick Lovekin, who frequently corresponded with Lynch. From 1968-1972, Lynch ran a column in the Wilmington News Journal called “Vietnam Mailbag.” In 2008 she published a book of the letters. Lynch will share corespondences from local soldiers in…
Enjoying the Past in Charlestown’s Historic District
As the summer of 2013 fades away, this fine autumn-like Saturday presented the perfect opportunity to delve into the past that is all around us in our communities across Cecil County. Since I was in North East and the weather was perfect, I took a brief detour to Colonial Charlestown to roam some old streets while…
Sprecher Takes Audience Back to a Special Time and Place – Elkton & Cecil County in the 1960s
With the arrival of October it is time for the return of the Historical Society of Cecil County’s popular winter 2013-14 speakers series. This year the county’s heritage-keepers open with “Elkton in the 1960s,” a talk by Milford Sprecher. Delivered for the first time, it captures the spirit of those years locally, providing views and…
New Exhibit and Programs Recall Cecil County in the 1960s
Now that the 1960s are history and not just nostalgia the Historical Society of Cecil County is opening an exhibit this fall that studies and celebrates the happenings of that era locally. It was a time that brought many transformations to this corner of northeastern Maryland and our curator, Lisa Dolor, and a talented group…