“An unpretentious resort where people could enjoy the country, the great shade trees, and the safe, sandy beaches” is how one magazine once described Red Point Beach. The vacation spot about 4 miles below North East was established in 1926 after Alphonse Pericat and C. F. Park of Wilmington purchased the 112-acre property in Elk Neck.
The partners added some summer cottages, created campsites, had a beachfront store, and acres of wooded land for outdoor pleasure, along with the sandy beach on the North East River, all making it a beautiful spot for mooring craft, fishing, and enjoying the summer. In those early days, people traveled down dusty roads, drew water from a hand pump, and lit their cottages with kerosene lamps. Generations of families spent their summer at Red Point.
Over time the state paved the main road and electricity arrived. In 1953, the Post Office announced that residents at Red Point Beach would have home delivery from June 16 to September 15 each year. Odette (Skip) Scrivanich, whose grandfather (Pericat) was one of the partners, managed the beach for several decades. She died in June 1975 after contracting rabies from a bat bite. After her death, the property was put up for sale in 1978.
For Additional Photos and information, see the album Red Point on Facebook
Cecil County Becomes a Vacation Spot
Note & Sources
Maryland in Congress, Baltimore Sun, Aug. 2, 1953
Red Pont Beach Advertisement, July 3, 1963
Red Point Beach: 50 Years Old This Summer, Cecil Whig. Aug 25, 1976
I am writing a similar story about redpoint and would like to use your story as a reference. Is that ok ? . It will be published on my blog. I grew up in redpoint and I am describing its rich history as well as its current state. Your article fits perfect for my description. A twilight zone of sorts
Certainly Jacob. When you finish it, give us the link and we’ll share it on our various social media platforms
Hey Jacob,
I am Don Thorne and a fervent visitor to Red Point as my family had a cottage there on Bay St. or Bay Ave. as it were. I remember Jo-Jo in concessions and Skip from back in the late 40’s early 50’s. My dad (Earl (Buss) Thorne taught me how to swim off the pier there in the late 40’s. I will be 80 in December and am planning a trip to RP with my wife, Dena, in mid-October this year……………can’t wait!!! Please send me any memories you may have…………I’d love to hear from you!
Don
Don, I sent you a reply by email. Hopefully some of that information helps.
Jacob……………..So sorry but I didn’t get your email to me. My correct address is thornedearl@gmail.com
Again, any memories, photos, etc. you may have from those days back in the late ’40’s to early ’50’s…………..I would “die” for!!!
Thank you so much,
Don
I used to come to Red Point Beach with a friend and his family back in the 50’s, I haven’t seen him since I got married in 1964. I tried to contact him and his family a lot of times but don’t know where to start. His name is John Zehner. His parents had a cabin there back in the 50’s and early 60’s. Does he still have a home down there? Thank you for any information you can give me.
John thanks for sharing your memories about Red Point Beach.
can you please give me information as to weather John Zehner still has a cabin in Red Point Beach. Thank you
Don’t have any info on that John.
I use to love visiting Red Point Beach in the mid-late 70s, my fathers family owned cottages there, the Collins’. My Aunt Mary and Uncle John passed many years ago as have my mother and father. Becoming adults we all lost touch. I often think back to the summers spent there and wonder if their children’s children still have homes or visit as well as how different it may look today. I remember Billy and Anne Marie Collins, like me they would be in their late 50’s early 60’s now. Thanks for reading.
Thanks for sharing your memories about Red Point Beach Peggy.
I grew up in the old house on top of the hill before the cottages. I remember Skip. She was unique. I recall when she passed from rabies. About a week later, my Mother was brushed by one of the many bats that flew in and out of our fireplaces. Luckily, Mom did not contract the disease. RIP Skip.
Thanks for sharing your memories, Daphne.