Recalling an Elkton Landmark, the Howard Hotel

There was lots of inspiring talk about old Elkton during the middle third of the 20^th century at the Historical Society of Cecil County this afternoon. Remembering those lively, youthful days was Evelyn V. (Vaggi) Scott, the 80-year-old daughter of George D and Mary G. Vaggi, who purchased the Howard Hotel, a long-established downtown business in 1923.

The place bustled with activity as waitresses served fine meals, the bartender dispensed drinks, and overnight guests booked comfortable rooms. This was long before Interstates and dual highways bypassed town centers and hotel chains sprouted up along those new roads.  In that earlier age, traveling salesmen, families making their way up or down the east coast, and others passing this way came right down Main Street.  There on this busy thoroughfare, Mrs. Scott grew up in the business, maturing, going off to college, and eventually marrying and moving to Michigan. Her parents decided to retire in 1973, when they sold the well-known establishment to the Ruth family.

It was a pleasant walk down memory lane, as Mrs. Scott recalled stories while looking at photographs of earlier times in Elkton.  Thanks Mrs. Scott for sharing your narratives and for donating so many fine pictures and materials to the Society.

The Society taped part of the interview and will stream a portion of it later, along with samples of the donations.  By-the-way, Mrs. Scott was back in Elkton as the property is now in the hands of new owners and they are creating an Irish Pub at this old landmark, which has anchored downtown for centuries.