The Library Company of Philadelphia (LCP), an independent research library focused on American Society and Culture, has an extensive collection of non-circulating rare books, manuscripts, broadsides, ephemera, prints, photographs, and works of art. Building on those strong resources, this repository, America’s oldest cultural institution, has been busy creating digital products to share with a broader…
Juicy Kaplan for Sheriff
Every four years, voters turn out to elect a sheriff in Cecil County. The race for that position has historically drawn some of the greatest interest and as elections near politicking often becomes intense. Here is a picture from a campaign of some fifty years ago. In the undated photo, Nathan “Juicy” Kaplan, a former…
The “Howl Prowl” on a Saturday Evening At Fair Hill NRMA
Fair Hill Natural Resources Management Area, August 17, 2013 — Saturday evening we attending the “Howl Prowl” at the Fair Hill NRMA. As part of the 250th anniversary of the Mason Dixon Line, the park sponsored the over 3-mile hike, examining the history of the boundary and the natural terrain on the border of Pennsylvania…
At the Milk Bar: A 1960 Advertisement
Historical Society Curator Lisa Dolor, and her staff, are working on an exhibit about the 1960s in Cecil County. As a result, they have been digging through the old newspapers looking for appropriate material, photographs, and advertisements. This one from 1960 for the Milk Bar caught our attention.
The Cecil Farmers Telephone Company Was Expanding
In the post World War II era, the Cecil Farmers Telephone Company of Rising Sun was growing To accommodate the addition of subscribers, the company added a new switchboard (manufactured by Stromberg-Carlson Company of Rochester, NY) in March 1952. The Rising Sun company was serving 850 subscribers at that time, but a new board added positions…
Eight New School Buses for Cecil County
Officials with the Cecil County Board of Education were excited as the new school year got underway in 1951. The system had eight new school buses ready to relieve overcrowding in the pupil transport system. The vehicles were going to be used in the Perryville, Rising Sun, North East and Calvert areas, according to Edwin…
The Oldest & Newest Firefighting Apparatus in Elkton in 1966
In 1966, the Singerly Fire Company proudly arranged its newest piece of firefighting equipment, a snorkel, alongside one of its 19th century firefighting relics.
Serving the Long Distance Line in Elkton
In the early decades of the telecommunications age, the rapidly expanding telephone industry was busy connecting far-flung places together with long distance cables. The mechanics of moving signals over great distance required repeater stations and the rapidly expanding network required “plants” in larger towns. So the Chesapeake and Potomac Phone Company, a branch of the Bell…
The Attractions of Summertime: The Port and Frenchtown Pools
In the years after World War II, community pools were the in thing, a great civic improvement providing a place to take a dip to cool off on scorching summer days. Across the region, private-clubs, community groups, and municipalities opened those refreshing spots so young and old could find a little relief from the oppressive…
Governor Dedicates Augustine Herman Highway
On July 29, 1956, Governor Theodore R. McKeldin named Route 213, from Elkton to the Chester River, the Augustine Herman Highway to honor the famous early map maker of Maryland. This ceremony, which included the unveiling of a highway sign, was part of a larger observance of the 286th anniversary of Herman’s entry into Maryland. Dr. Juray Slavik, former Czechoslovakian…