Window on Cecil County's Past

Sheriff Thomas H. Mogle, Jr., has lined up the members of his department for an inspection in July 1967 and the Cecil Democrat’s photographer was on hand to take picture.  About this time, the new sheriff was outlining the challenges he faced with providing around the clock law enforcement with such a small force.  A…

The Cecil Democrat published a series in 1967, interviewing local officials about moving Cecil County forward in the last third of the 20th century.  In  the nearly 50-year-old chat with Sheriff Thomas H. Mogle, Jr. he sketched out the minimum needs for effective law enforcement in the county. The Sheriff’s Department required a minimum of 55 personnel to handle all…

Following a couple of serious fires on Main Street in 1891 that forced Elkton to telegraph the Wilmington Fire Department for aid townspeople decided to establish an efficient firefighting organization.  In the waning months of that year, plans were quickly put in place for the William M. Singerly Fire Company and in January 1892 the organization…

Today the nation honors fallen law enforcement officers during an annual Candlelight vigil in Washington, D.C.  While people across the country remember those who made the ultimate sacrifice I paused briefly at our Cecil County Monument on this cool Monday in mid-spring.  It was dedicated a few decades ago to honor county peace officers who…

In 1962 President Kennedy proclaimed May 15th as National Peace Officers Memorial Day and the calendar week in which it falls as National Police Week.  While remembering those who made the ultimate sacrifice, it is also a time to show appreciation for what law enforcement professional do to keep communities safe.  With the dedication of these…

The old commercial district in Elkton has a number of architecturally interesting cultural resources, and one of those survivors of the passage of centuries is the Gilpin building.  This substantial three-story brick vernacular building was the subject of a recent inquiry as we were asked to investigate the historical record for this parcel. Here is some of what…

The Rodgers Tavern presents an attractive appearance in early May.  This old place, standing on the east bank of the Susquehanna River, has welcomed travelers for centuries. When it was first built-in the mid-18th century, the two-story stone building welcomed passersby as a ferry house and tavern.  For those crossing the river, it provided a place to lodge and partake of…

This weekend marks the passage of 200 years since the enemy occupied the water and shoreline of the Upper Chesapeake.  To recall those frightening days in Cecil County, a “footsteps in history” living history walking tour takes places in Charlestown this Sunday May 5th at 4:30 and 6:30 p.m.  On the dramatic one-hour strolls into…