Since a large part of the county’s 20th century history was documented and recorded in sound and moving images, the Historical Society started preserving collections of these artifacts. When the appeal first went out for help in capturing these largely forgotten treasures a few years ago, a range of new contributions came in. There was…
Researchers Looked Into History Submered in the Elk River
Since the area Archeological Society is hosting a talk on the British raids on the Upper Chesapeake, we’re posting this brief piece on some of the extensive research on the Elk River. ————— Two graduate students finishing advanced degrees in archeology, part of a team exploring the sunken mysteries of the Elk River, spent several weeks here in…
Walkin’ the Line: a Journey Along the Mason-Dixon — Sept. 20 at the Chesapeake City Library.
“Walk the Line” with author William Ecenbarger as he tells some of the many stories he gathered while researching his book. The presentation will cover the history, geography and human impacts of the Mason Dixon Line. Also, the author will relate how important local libraries were to him as he performed his research. Monday, Sept. 20th…
Elkton Eclipse Base Ball Team Wins 4th Straight State Title
Kingsville, MD, August, 30, 2010 —The Eclipse Base Ball Club of Elkton won its 4th straight Maryland 19th Century Base Ball State Championship on Sunday, August 29th at Jerusalem Mill in Kingsville, Maryland. After clinching the regular Maryland State Championship title with a 10-1 record, the Eclipse went in to the tournament as the number one…
Rising Sun 150th Anniversay Committee Announces Fall Schedule of Events
Rising Sun 150th Celebration Saturday, September 11 9:00 a.m. “Rising Sun Mile” held at the Rising Sun High School Bring your family and walk, stroll, or run. 1 – 5 p.m. Chautauqua held at Community Fire Co. of Rising Sun pavilion (chicken and ribs for sale by Fire Co. Ladies Auxiliary) Featuring: West Nottingham Bell…
Recalling the Octoraro Branch Railroad — Sept. 29 at Rising Sun Library
The Octoraro Branch Railroad once connected Rising Sun, Colora, Rowlandsville, Liberty Grove, and other northwestern Cecil County communities to the outside world. But in the automobile-age, passenger service declined rapidly and after World War II freight service slowly disappeared. The history of this old line, the Baltimore Central Railroad, will be the subject of a program…
Old One-Room Schoolhouses Disappearing Fast
While Cecil County once had dozens of one-room schoolhouses to serve rural areas and small villages, these institutions started disappearing in the 20th century as the county modernized its educational system. Pleasant Hill, Liberty Grove, New Valley, and Pilot were the only remaining one-teacher buildings by 1947. Today it’s fascinating to drive country roads looking…
“At the Head of the Bay,” Sought After Title on Cultural & Architectural History of Cecil County Available from Historical Society
A second edition of At the Head of the Bay: A Cultural and Architectural History of Cecil County Maryland by Pamela James Blumgart is finally back in print. This sought after hardcover title, which was originally published in 1996, is available from the Historical Society of Cecil County for $75. This well-illustrated volume interprets the incredibly…
Johns Hopkins Press Author, Dr. Eshelman, to Speak on War of 1812 in MD at Annual Historical Society Meeting, Oct. 18
One of the authors of a newly published Johns Hopkins University title, the War of 1812 in the Chesapeake, will be the guest speaker for the annual Historical Society of Cecil County meeting on October 18th. Dr. Ralph Eshelman spent years investigating sites connected with the conflict in Maryland so as the bicentennial of this chapter of…
Zoe Mulford’s Song about the “Lady of the Highways”
We’re always pleased when we discover creative musical pieces about Cecil County. Well, after the piece on the Catholic shrine located alongside I-95 went up on the blog, a reader pointed out a song about this Cecil County landmark by American songwriter Zoe Mulford. Her 2006 CD, Roadside Saints, includes the track about the “stone lady,”…