This morning I attended the funeral of Helen Keene Warburton, 97, at Immaculate Conception Church. While the old parish bell tolled out as mourners streamed out of the church, my mind reflected on some of my personal experiences with this community-oriented individual, a true friend of historic preservation in Cecil County. In a reflective mood…
Elkton Eclipse Fall to Rivals From Brooklyn in Final in 19th Century Base Ball
Elkton, MD— The Brooklyn Atlantics downed the Eclipse Base Ball Club of Elkton in the 19th Century Base Ball Eastern Championship on Saturday, October 18 at Elk Landing, Maryland as the 1864 townspeople of Elkton looked on. After Elkton took a 3-0 lead in the first inning, things started to unravel for the Maryland State…
Walking the Line on a Sunday in October
While Cecil County has many beautiful areas, one of our family’s particular favorites is the rugged Basin Run Watershed. This place, where natural and historical resources abound, contains some of the most fascinating elements of our built environment, as well as spectacular vistas. Its ecology and geology are just as absorbing. Running right through the…
All’s Quiet on the Octoraro Branch Line
On an uneventful afternoon for most people in northern Cecil County, 7-year-old Catherine Kirk waited excitedly at the Rising Sun Train Station. As the appointed time approached and anticipation grew, a shrill steam whistle coming from somewhere down the line toward Colora pierced the quiet of the town. The whistle of the local passenger…
Reading an Old Diary from the C & D Canal in 1864
Recently I was given access to a diary of a C & D Canal official based in Chesapeake City. Throughout 1864 this manager carefully made day-to-day entries into his diary, though he didn’t sign his name in the little book. These are fascinating reads, which provide insight into that troubling time. Here’s what he wrote early…
Cecil County EMS: A Quick History
It was Christmas night, and members of Cecil Post 15 of the American Legion in Elkton were home enjoying the holiday. Suddenly, in one Legionnaires’ home, the phone rang. “Hospital Calling!” the voice on the line said. “There’s been a serious automobile accident near Rising Sun,” the operator urgently blurted out. “If we can get…
Another Cecil County Vacation Spot – White Crystal Beach
We’re enjoying a great Labor Day Weekend here at the top of the Chesapeake Bay. With temperature in the low 80s and brilliant Sunshine, we took the opportunity to drive around some old beaches and harbors at the top of the bay. Betterton Beach had a great crowd out enjoying the perfect Sunday, but back to Cecil…
Recalling Holloway Beach, Charlestown, in the 1930s
Another summer is quickly slipping away as students get ready to return to school Monday and we prepare to mark the unofficial end of summer with Labor Day. Still for August, a period that is better known for the dog days of Summer, we’ve experienced some of the most beautiful weather and the forecast looks great for…
An Outstanding Late Evening Program on WERU, Blue Hill, Maine Has Cecil County Connections
As I worked on some syllabi for the upcoming semester with the midnight hour approaching here on the Chesapeake, I surfed over to WERU, an outstanding non-commercial radio station in Blue Hill, Maine. We discovered WERU several years ago while vacationing in Maine and always listen when we are in the coastal area. A few years ago they added streaming on…
Elkton Considers Selling Historic Acreage to Developer
The following is a letter to the editor published in the Cecil Whig on Friday, Aug. 15. This piece is cross-posted from the blog, someonenoticed.wordpress.com, which contains much more information in this attempt. Please see that blog for much more information on this subject.) ——– The Mayor and Commissioners of Elkton are considering a proposal…